The Variphy Guide to Cisco Live
In just under a month, Cisco will hold its annual conference, Cisco Live, in Las Vegas, Nevada. This event brings together thousands of IT professionals, networking experts, engineers, executives, and partners worldwide.
I’ve attended Cisco Live for 12 of the last 15 years as an attendee and a sponsor. This event is, by far, my favorite for many reasons, including the World of Solutions, technical training, networking, and, of course, the celebration event. In this guide to Cisco Live, check out some high-level information about the conference, must-dos, and sessions I’m excited to attend.
When: June 2-6, 2024
Where: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nevada
Cisco Live offers many activities during the week, including technical sessions, keynotes, World of Solutions, and more.
Technical and Breakout Sessions
One of the key reasons to attend Cisco Live is for the technical sessions. These sessions cover a variety of topics related to Cisco products, roadmap, services, and technologies. With a full conference pass, attendees can participate in presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on labs conducted by Cisco experts and industry leaders.
Tip: If you haven’t done so already, register for your sessions now!!! These fill up quickly and will offer a waitlist option if you don’t register in time.
A few sessions I’m looking forward to are:
Implementing OAuth 2.0 Authorization for Webex Integrations
Session Number: DEVNET-2675
Description: “OAuth is a powerful way to allow users to grant permission over their accounts to third parties.”
Why attend?
I always enjoy hearing from the DevNet evangelism team, and this session will be conducted by one of our key contacts, Joe Zanini. Joe and his team were tremendously helpful in assisting Variphy with getting our app published. Anyone looking to interact with the Webex API should check out these sessions.
Successful Migrations from Unified CM to Webex Calling
Session Number: BRKCOL-2481
Description: “Moving to Webex Calling offers benefits including reduced Opex, superior security, deployment flexibility, and scalability. In this session we will discuss migration options from Unified Communications Manager to Webex Calling multi-tenant and dedicated instance.”
Why attend?
We discuss calling migrations daily with our partners, clients, and prospects. No migration is the same, and hearing from organizations first-hand about their experience is extremely important as we develop offerings for the market.
Webex Calling, Webex App, and CX Basic / Essentials Roadmap Update
Session Number: CIUG-1000
Description: “In this NDA session, the product management team will share Cisco’s strategy and roadmap for Cisco’s Webex Calling solution.”
Why attend?
I love attending roadmap discussions at Cisco Live. Learning about Cisco’s direction and Webex Calling solution helps me and Variphy develop meaningful solutions for our customers and partners. Also, CX Basic and Essentials is the new kid on the block, and I’m excited to learn more about this offering.
Webex Calling: What Do You Want to Know?
Session Number: IBOCOL-1120
Description: “Let’s have a chat! This will be an interactive roundtable discussion with Cisco product managers and industry executives on Webex Calling.”
Why attend?
Roundtable discussions are a great place to hear from multiple participants and get their thoughts on a topic. I’m treating this somewhat like a few sessions above, in that, customers and partners will ask questions that provide insight into their experiences and trends in the marketplace.
Keynote Addresses
Interested in hearing from Cisco executives and thought leaders in the industry? Cisco Live features multiple keynote presentations providing insights into the latest trends, innovations, and strategies shaping the future of networking and IT.
Tip: The Cisco Live keynotes are an experience all to themselves and are great to see in person. However, if being in an auditorium with 20,000 of your closest friends isn’t your thing, you can watch the Cisco streams of keynote addresses on its website and social media pages.
World of Solutions
Looking for swag? This is the place for you! Whether you have a Full Conference or Explorer pass, you can access the World of Solutions exhibition floor.
This part of Cisco Live includes a huge exhibition area where attendees can explore the latest Cisco products, solutions, and offerings from Cisco partners and ecosystem vendors. This is a great opportunity for attendees to see product demos, speak to TAC engineers, and learn about new technologies and trends within the industry.
Tip: There are hundreds of vendors on the expo floor handing out everything from pens to stuffed animals to light-up swords. Be selective about what you grab on the floor — you still have to get it all home!
Networking Opportunities
Cisco Live provides numerous opportunities for networking and collaboration, including special events, social gatherings, and networking lounges where attendees can connect with peers, share experiences, and build relationships.
Tip: Make sure to check in with any contacts you may have at Cisco, your channel partner, or other vendors. They will know where the after-hours parties are and how to get in.
Certification and Training
Whether you’re taking your first Cisco exam, recertifying, or exploring a new technology, Cisco Live includes a free certification exam by purchasing a Full Conference Pass. Once registered for an exam, you’ll sit shoulder to shoulder in a room with hundreds of people testing. No pressure, right?
Tip: These spots fill up quickly, so if you’re looking to take advantage of this perk, sign up early and register for your exam immediately.
Celebration Event
This Cisco Live exclusive event takes place on Wednesday night of the conference and features Elton John! Over the years, I’ve seen many performers, including Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, and Aerosmith. I expect getting into this year’s event to be a madhouse. The celebration event is open seating, so if you want to be on the floor and close to the stage, I suggest getting there early. Along with the musical performance, you’ll have access to food and drink locations throughout Allegiant Stadium.
Visit Us at Booth #4372
Come see us at our booth! Grab one of our popular CDR Kittens shirts (while supplies last), enter for a chance to win a prize, and chat with us about your call analytics and reporting needs. See you in Vegas!
