The Virtualist at NetApp Insight 2015
This year we had a chance with Jan Hosek and Michal Klimes to visit NetApp Insight in Berlin as well as VMware VMworld in Barcelona. In this article, we will compare these two events from several different views. Although both companies are not direct competitors, comparison is obviously something which you think of especially when attending both events within one month.
Location
This is very personal to compare and both cities are great places and I like them. Anyway Barcelona has a big advantage in weather and temperature is more friendly as it take place earlier in the year. Each city has it’s own history and you will find interesting monuments everywhere.
Score 0 : 1, Insight : VMworld
Organization, Visitor population
Both events are professionally organized. Everything is starting with schedule builder which is available on web sites or you can use the mobile application available for Andriod and iOS. The mobile applications have all information you need during the event, general information, list of all the breakout sessions and schedule of the sessions which you have chosen.
During the entire event you can find many organizers who are ready to help you and direct you to the place or break session which you are looking for.
VMworld is about 3 times bigger in terms of visiting people.
Score 1 : 2, Insight : VMworld
Social networking
Together with Breakout Session this is the most important part of both events, to meet people you work or communicate with over the social media. You will put the face to the email address and shake hands. Make sure you will create a schedule in advance with people you want to meet, most of the visitors are busy and to catch them during the event is almost impossible.
From left Michal Klimes, Roman Macek, Jan Hosek
Score 2 : 3, Insight : VMworld
Breakout Sessions
VMworld – the program is very broad and you need to chose what to attend, basic approach is usually to skip recorded session as you can watch them later. Focus on group discussion which are not recorded.
Insight – everything is smaller here but I found very useful that you don’t need to rush and you can enjoy the sessions without feeling that you are loosing another important parts of the event.
Score 3 : 4, Insight : VMworld
Solution Exchange/Insight Central
If you will find some time between the breakout session visit the solution change. It’s a place where the sponsors have booths and presenting their products. I consider it as very valuable to see what solutions the vendors have and what options are on the market.
Score 4 : 5, Insight : VMworld
Parties and catering
The public parties organized by sponsors are happening obviously much often on VMwolrd. There are several reasons, the main is size of the event, in Barcelona the sponsors have more budget to organize the parties. And also the weather plays for Barcelona, a lot of parties are organized close to sea, there is no way to have it even in similar way in Berlin in a middle of November.
Where Insight return the strike back is the last party which close the event. VMware calls it “VMworld Party, NetApp “Appreciation Event. The VMwolrd parties are year by year worst and worst, to find a good meal is almost impossible and some famous band or singer will not salvage it. The real surprise was the Appreciation Event. It was held in hangars which were transformed into a Oktoberfest-themed evening complete with authentic Bavarian entertainment, including Bavarian dance groups and musicians with alpine horn or chimes. It was very well organized, great atmosphere supplemented with fantastic food.
Score 5 : 5, Insight : VMworld
Hang out areas
Insight has lack of places where you can comfortably sit, the only place where you can rest is the lunch area. At VMworld there are dedicated hang out areas where you can find sofa, take coffee and relax.
Score 5 : 6, Insight : VMworld
Result
I’m sure there will be different opinions on how to compare these actions with different results, feel free add your comments. How do you see it?
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Roman Macek
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