If you live in the world of technology, Cisco Live is one of the biggest events of the year. It’s an event where thousands come to learn and spend time with other like-minded individuals. There are exciting announcements, great speakers, and cool parties. It is the place to be. For years, I’ve always tried to attend, but it never worked out. The first year I received an actual approval to go to the conference was 2020, so the trip did not happen. Eventually I came over to Cisco. Even here though, it was not a guarantee I could attend the conference. Finally, this year I was selected with a few other colleagues to represent the team and attend with our customers. It was an outstanding experience and I want to tell you all about it!
As a Systems Architect, my role is to walk with my customers in their technology journey with Cisco. Sometimes, that journey leads them over to Cisco Live. It is the perfect opportunity to sync up and have conversations on what is currently happening in their environment as well as how we can utilize Cisco’s solutions and even partner solutions to help elevate their environment. Armed with an Explorer’s pass, I flew down to Las Vegas. The Explorer’s pass wont give the holder access to most sessions, but it gives holders access to certain areas of the conference and to the keynotes. The sessions that the Explorer’s pass grants access to are usually held in the World of Solutions’ theaters/stages. The World of Solutions is where the fun happens. Well, fun happens everywhere, but the at the WoS the fun never stops (until closing time). There is SO much to do. You can spend hours making your way through the areas within the WoS.
How much time (and money) will you spend at the Cisco Store? You might happen to come across some of the authors of the very books you are buying. Once you are done purchasing a fancy new shirt, you can make your way over to the Hands-On Labs. These free labs allow you to spend some time setting up or playing with different technology within our dCloud environment. Curious as to how Webex Calling works? There is a lab for that. Want to try our Cisco SD-WAN? There is a lab for that. It is one of the areas I made sure to point folks over to. I’m a firm believer that the best way to learn is hands-on. Cisco Live gives that to you.
Outside of attending Whisper Suite and Meet the Engineer sessions with my customers, I’m sure I wore my shoes down wandering around the other areas in the World of Solutions. Interested in DevNet? There is a whole section for that. You want to participate in a Capture the Flag? You’ll find an area dedicated to that. Do you want to skip the hold times and talk to someone at TAC? The Technical Assistance Center had a section there as well! Around every turn there was something to do or someone to talk to. There was even an area where you could relax…and pet some dogs! Now that is one thing I did not get a chance to do, but if I end up at Cisco Live in the future, I’ll make sure to add “Pet a dog” to the schedule.
There are always announcements that come up at Cisco Live. This year was no different. This year we had a variety of announcements from Security all the way Collaboration. If you have yet to hear of the impact Cisco Secure Access will have in the world of security, you’ll need to watch the Day 1 Keynote on YouTube. You can also watch the Day 2 Keynote and check out other announcements including what is new in Webex.
My original thought was that I would not be able to do much with the Explorer’s pass, but I was sorely mistaken. Many of my hours were spent taking in or participating in conversations happening in the different booths, whether it was a booth on a certain Cisco technology or a partner booth. I’m positive I did not visit every booth. Other times were spent listening in to some great sessions happening at the Cisco U. Theater.
With so many things going on at Cisco Live, I saved the most important one for last: You. The people at the event is what elevates the conference. So many people coming together from different areas in technology makes it impossible not to have a good conversation. It was great to meet folks and other colleagues I’ve only spoken to online and find out that they are usually taller than I am. This to me was the highlight of the event, the people, the interactions. I can always catch a keynote or a session online, but the ad-hoc conversations is where the magic happens.
If you have yet to go to Cisco Live, mark your calendars because the next one in the US will also be in Las Vegas, June 2nd through the 6th in 2024.
Zeros & Won 
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