VMware Explore 2026 Insights: Private Cloud's Resurgence, NVIDIA Noticeably Absent

Setting

TechTarget's Kelsey Song interviews senior writer Beth Pariseau from VMware Explore 2026 in Las Vegas on top headlines and conference themes.

Product and migration

Broadcom's VCF consolidation leaves customers facing VCF 8 end-of-support (Oct 2027) and non-trivial VCF 9 migrations across thousands of VMs; clearer Kubernetes inclusion with Tanzu (connected but separate) drew renewed attendee interest—one buyer called VCF 9.1 what everybody wanted.

AI and partnerships

Roadmap mentions Agility Ops automation for infrastructure; industry gossip centered on Nvidia's reduced keynote/session presence despite Broadcom insisting the partnership continues and supporting Nemotron models.

Private cloud narrative

Broadcom leaders claim a private-cloud/AI tipping point and public cloud PTSD, but independent analysts and customer sessions still describe hybrid Azure Arc/on-prem plus public cloud—while conference mood improved versus prior post-acquisition angst despite smaller attendance.