I am planning to attend VMworld 2009 in San Fran.  My role at my company is managing our infrastructure and VI3 is a big part of that.  I am a newly certified VCP and my company wants me to attend the conference.  I am really looking forward to seeing what VMware has in store for its products,

I would like to submit a paper and speak.  Does anyone know if I will get a free pass if accepted to speak?

With budgets the way they are, who has the money for this? We're just laying low trying to avoid the layoff fairy.

I'm in the same boat and won't be able to fork over the cost of heading to SF this fall.  But they do offer a virtual conference subscription (http://www.vmworld.com/community/subscription)  for access to all the sessions.  It only includes last year right now, but maybe VMworld 2009 sessions can be pre-purchased. (oh yeah, it also includes the next show in Europe, which I know won't be in my travel budget)

JR, you definitly have a good point, however I think my wife would kill me if I hit San Francisco for a week instead of our yearly vacation... lol

I'm attending and bringing a co-worker with me.

Looks like I'll be making the trip this year.  Attended my first VMworld in 2007, the last time the event location was San Francisco.  Learned alot and had a great time at the conference.  Couldn't make it to Vegas last year because ironicaly, we were in the middle of a VI upgrade!

Definitely looking forward to getting back to San Francisco this year!  Hoping time permits to visit a few places in the city I wanted to last time but couldn't.

For those who are trying to decide if attending the conference is worth your while, trust me, it is.  If you apply yourself, attend the breakout sessions that pertain to you and your business, attend some hands-on labs perhaps, and of course, take time to view the products and speak with the experts in the Solutions Exchange, it's definitely worth it.