Ten years of Veeam community
The Journey Begins
Let’s hop in the time machine and zip back to late 2013—picture it: I’m the Support Services Manager for a buzzing VMware-focused IT solutions provider in the rainy U.K. Our world was all-things VMware: building vSphere stacks, wrangling physical infrastructure, and (of course) keeping data protected and ready for action if disaster struck. For years, Veeam had been our data protection sidekick. Reliable, trusted, always there in a pinch.
But every hero story needs a twist, right? Enter our quest for long-term data retention. Back then, tape still ruled for deep-storage archiving—object storage wasn’t in anyone’s vocabulary yet! So, when Veeam announced tape backup support, we were all ears. Imagine our infrastructure crew cheering on tape drives as the unsung heroes of storage longevity.
That’s when things got really interesting. Shout out to Chris Dearden, our Veeam SE and all-around IT legend. Chris partnered with us to test drive Veeam V7’s shiny new tape integration before it even went public. We geeked out over every update and swapped insider tidbits on the regular. One day, during these Veeam adventures, Chris let slip about a sparkling new community—the Veeam Vanguard program.
Cue the magpie instincts. New, shiny, exclusive—how could I not want in? The question became: how do I get my hands on a coveted spot in the Veeam Vanguard ranks? The chase was on!
The Veeam Vanguard Program: Where Tech Wizards Gather
From Beta Tester to Vanguard
The Vanguard opportunity
Ever wondered what supercharges a career in data resilience? Spoiler alert: it’s all about community—and for me, that’s the magic of the Veeam Vanguard crew!
From zero to hero in the world of backup and recoverability, I owe a huge shout-out to the Veeam community. Seriously, there’s no way I’d be where I am today without this vibrant network. Not only have I racked up career wins in data protection, but I’ve also collected friendships that criss-cross continents. International tech pals on speed dial? Yes, please!
Here’s the secret sauce: being a Vanguard means grabbing every shiny opportunity that lands in your inbox. Saying “no”? Not in this squad! Whether it’s jetting off to VeeamON for geek-filled adventures, getting grilled by tech publications like CRN, or deep-diving into community forums to help someone nail their backup strategy, there’s always something epic happening. Every fun experience helps me keep my Vanguard badge shiny and bright.
The coolest part? These adventures let me pay it forward—sharing knowledge, sparking more curiosity, and hopefully giving others the momentum to shine, too. It’s a virtuous circle: the more awesome people you meet, the bigger your professional playground grows, and suddenly you’re bumping into exciting opportunities you never saw coming.
So if you spot an open door in the data resilience universe, don’t hesitate—just walk right in. Who knows where it’ll take you next!
Here is one such open door, talking about career growth at VeeamON with some good buddies from the Vanguard crew.
Reflections and Closing Thoughts
Looking back on this adventure, it’s clear that growth in data resilience isn’t just about tech stacks or backup strategies—it’s about community, curiosity, and partnership. The Veeam Vanguard journey has been a chance to dive into new opportunities, build friendships across the globe, and pay forward the wisdom I’ve gathered along the way.
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: don’t be afraid to walk through those open doors. Whether you’re beta-testing a new feature, speaking at a user event, or swapping tips with other passionate tech professionals, every experience is a chance to learn, share, and pave the way for the next big leap. The IT community has a unique ability to help us grow and thrive—and who knows where your next step might lead!
