New Layout for VMworld Europe 2017

VMworld Europe returns to the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona again this year, but even though it’s in the same place the organisers have taken advantage of the massive venue to move a few things around.

I’d heard comments at last years event, echoed on the VMW Community Podcast recently, that a few areas didn’t get the expected footfall and it looks like the changes have been made to help that. Note- I’m basing this blog post on the plans on the VMworld website, which are obviously subject to change.

The 2017 layout- pictured above, full version available on VMworld.com – shows the entrance and registration moved from the front of hall 8.0 to hall 6.0 which was used as the General Session/ Party venue last year (see the 2016 plan online here). The General Session has made way by moving next door into Hall 4.0. The VMvillage moves from the upstairs hall 8.1 to take up the rest of hall 6.0 on the plan- I hope this brings this area to the attention of more attendees, hall 8.1 was often bypassed as people rushed from the Breakout sessions across the bridge to the Solutions Exchange hall (still in 7.0).

Personally I like the look of this layout. The entrance moves (slightly) closer to the metro station and the VMvillage (which last year featured the Hang Space vBrownbag, VMware Education, Hands On Labs, and Community areas) should see increased activity as it’s on the way in and also adjacent to the Solutions Exchange. Pushing the General Session room a bit out of the way makes sense as this area is normally only used for those few sessions when everyone is together, and it may also help reduce the scramble to the escalators as people rush to the first Breakouts- in addition to the escalators between the VMvillage and Solutions Exchange there’s a similar set outside hall 4.0.

Registration for both this and the US event is now open.