Over the last few years, I have found myself at many IT events, some big such as Blackhat and some slightly smaller such as Cisco Huddle. Regardless of size, I have always taken away valuable information from all the events I have attended. It’s an experience to attend IT events, you have the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, keep up with the latest technology and if you have time explore the towns and cities.

So you may have heard of the words ‘Cisco Live’ and maybe seen the hashtag #CLUS but you’ve never looked into what Cisco Live is. Well, look no further because in this article I will give you a full rundown of what Cisco Live is, what you can expect and how you can register to attend one of these awesome events.

What Is Cisco Live?

Cisco Live is one of the biggest IT events held in different locations around the world each year. Every event sees thousands of people come together to learn, network and listen to world-class speakers within the IT industry and Cisco. This event is brilliant for all types of tech enthusiasts, whether you’re just exploring and meeting new people or you’re looking at taking your next Cisco certification, Cisco Live is the place to be.

This year Cisco Live takes place in the following places:

Berlin, Germany – February 20 – 24, 2017

Melbourne, Australia – March 7 – 10, 2017

Las Vegas, Nevada – June 25 – 29, 2017

Cancun, Mexico – November 6 – 9, 2017

This article will focus on Cisco Live, Las Vegas 2017.

Although a Cisco-held event, different companies are encouraged to exhibit alongside Cisco to increase brand awareness and showcase themselves as an industry leader alongside Cisco. Companies that wish to exhibit at Cisco Live have to ensure that they are eligible, to do this they are required to be a Cisco partner. Businesses looking at holding a stand at Cisco Live can expect to benefit from new business and more leads, to say the least. If you’re a Cisco partner looking at attending Cisco Live but not sure how to market your company, don’t worry because Cisco provides many different event alignment opportunities from carpet logos to executive sales suites. If you require more information about event alignment opportunities please see this link for Cisco Live, Las Vegas 2017. If you are still unsure whether you should exhibit at Cisco Live you can read more about Cisco Live, Las Vegas 2017 and what you can get out of it here.

Cisco Partners that want to exhibit have the ability to customise packages specific to their needs although Cisco does offer a variety of packages ranging from Bronze up to Emerald, for more information click here.

Cisco Live events tend to last for 4 to 5 days and an individual price can vary depending on when you register and the package you register for. Cisco breaks the packages down into three distinct areas as shown below.

1. Full Conference
2. IT Management
3. Key Notes and World of Solutions

More information about these passes can be found below.

What Can I Expect From Cisco Live?

The short answer to this question is…Epicness! But for those that want more reasons to register, I will break it down.

We all know that Cisco is the driving force and world-class leader when it comes to technology and with this in mind you know when you attend such an event you will get the chance to see the latest and greatest equipment that Cisco and its partners have to offer. If that isn’t enough to tempt you into making that purchase, then this might. You will have the opportunity to get hands-on with interactive labs, learning new technologies that will put you at the forefront of new technologies.

You can network with other industry professionals as well as Cisco experts to discuss the business challenges of today and find solutions based on best practices and good advice. Cisco can work with you to introduce you to the latest technology and understand your business requirements.

If you attend just to learn that’s not a problem, Cisco will cover keynotes based on IoT, Cloud, Security, Network Infrastructure and more. Better yet if you feel you’re ready to validate your Cisco skills, become certified by taking a FREE certification exam.

If you still need that extra nudge to register, take a look at Cisco’s 10 reasons to attend Cisco Live.

How Do I Register for Cisco Live?

As mentioned earlier in this article, registration costs can vary based on different factors but Cisco offers three main packages. The information provided below is based on Cisco Live, Las Vegas 2017.

Full Conference Pass

The full conference package gives you access to everything Cisco Live has to offer. This includes all Keynotes, access to the DevNet zone, Breakout sessions, free certification exam and even breakfast and lunch. If you are interested in attending Cisco Live, Las Vegas in June, Pre-Registration will cost you $2295 until March 20^th when the cost will rise.

IT Management Pass

If you’re an IT manager or Director of a business, Cisco has put together a package just for you. This package will give you access to everything the full conference package does plus access to the management breakout sessions. Pre-Registration costs for this package will cost you $2595 and again this cost will rise as time goes by.

Explorer Pass

The Explorer pass is the cheapest of the three passes but as you can imagine access to the event is limited. You will get access Monday – Thursday to Keynotes, the DevNet zone and World of Solutions which is access to Cisco partners. Pre-Registration cost starts at $99 and will only increase to $149 if you decide to pay on the day.

Other Passes

Cisco also offers discounted rates on the full conference and the IT management pass for Government and Education establishments. You can find a full breakdown of the cost for Cisco Live, Las Vegas here. You can find details about Cisco Live, Las Vegas here including details on how to register.

Please note: To register you must be 21 years of age or older, cancellations must be received in writing and refund amount may vary based on the date.

Now that you know all about Cisco Live and its offerings I hope I have encouraged you to register for one of the events, it certainly makes me want to attend one. As a last attempt to encourage you to register, I will leave you with this Cisco Live 2017 teaser video.