Being a Veeam Vanguard for the past nine years has been an incredible journey, full of learning opportunities, exciting experiences, and connections with some of the brightest minds in the IT industry. The program, run by Veeam Software, recognizes IT professionals passionate about Veeam’s products, committed to sharing their knowledge with others, and committed to improving the IT industry through education and collaboration.

One of the most significant benefits of being a Veeam Vanguard is attending the annual Veeam Vanguard Summit in Prague. This event brings together Veeam Vanguards from around the world to discuss the latest trends in the industry, share knowledge and best practices, and learn about the latest developments in Veeam’s products. The event also offers a chance to meet with the team from Veeam, including the VPs and the CEO.

Veeam Vanguards are invited to attend VeeamON, Veeam’s annual conference. This event allows attendees to attend educational sessions, hands-on labs, and product demonstrations. The conference also offers a chance to network with peers and Veeam staff, including developers, support engineers, and executives.

Over the past nine years, I have attended the Veeam Vanguard Summit and VeeamON multiple times. These events allowed me to learn from industry experts, connect with like-minded professionals, and gain a deeper understanding of Veeam’s products.

In addition to attending these events, being a Veeam Vanguard has allowed me to speak at VeeamON and other industry conferences. These speaking engagements have allowed me to share my knowledge and expertise with a broader audience and learn from others passionate about the same topics.

One of the reasons why being a Veeam Vanguard has been so rewarding is that Veeam has experienced tremendous growth over the past nine years. According to Veeam’s 2020 annual report, the company had over 400,000 customers and 70,000 partners. Veeam’s revenue has grown from $467 million in 2017 to $1.5 billion in 2020, an increase of over 220%.

This growth is a testament to Veeam’s commitment to innovation and excellence, as well as the dedication of the Veeam community. Being part of the Veeam Vanguard program has allowed me to contribute to this growth and help shape the IT industry’s future.

I want to express my gratitude to Rick Vanover and the team at Veeam for their support, guidance, and commitment to excellence over the past nine years. I would also like to thank my fellow Veeam Vanguards, including Cristal Kawula and Cary Sun, for their passion, dedication, and willingness to share their knowledge.

In conclusion, being a Veeam Vanguard has been an incredible experience that has enriched my career, expanded my knowledge, and provided me with lifelong friendships. I am honoured to have been part of this community for the past nine years and look forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

Thanks,

Dave Kawula

Veeam Vanguard (9th Year in a Row)