Nutanix NTC 2026 Applications & .Next Chicago Registration

calendar Oct 2, 2025 · 7 min read · Nutanix NTC Community Events  ·
Share on: linkedin copy

Overview

It's my favorite time of year again! The Nutanix Technology Champions (NTC) applications for 2026 are now open, and .Next 2026 registration is live. Whether you've been following my blog, or are just coming across it for the first time, I am passionate about both of these opportunities, and I'm excited to share why they should matter to you too.

Nutanix Technology Champions: More Than a Title

I've had the incredible privilege of being part of the NTC program for the past 9 years, and as I prepare my application for what I hope will be year 10, I find myself reflecting on what this community has meant to me. It's not just a badge or recognition; it's been a transformative experience that's help shape my career and connected me with some of the most talented and generous people in our industry.

It's About Community and Giving Back

Here's what I love most about the NTC program. It's built on the principle of lifting others up. Sure, Nutanix invests in us as Champions with early access to technology, direct connections with product teams, and opportunities to influence the roadmap. But the real magic happens when we turn around and invest that knowledge back into the community.

Whether you're answering questions in the forums at 11 PM, writing a blog post to help someone avoid the mistakes you made, recording a video walkthrough of a tricky configuration, or mentoring someone new to the platform, that's what being a Champion is all about. It's not about being the expert who knows everything; it's about being the person who helps everyone else get a little bit better.

The Value Exchange

Nutanix doesn't just give us a title and expect us to figure it out. They provide real support and resources:

  • Early access to products and features so we can learn and share
  • Direct access to engineering and product management teams
  • A platform to amplify our voices and reach more people who need help
  • A community of peers who push us to grow and think differently
  • Opportunities to speak, present, and contribute at events like .Next

But here's why I find this so important - the value flows both ways. As Champions, we're the bridge between Nutanix and the real world. We're the ones implementing and supporting these solutions, hitting the rough edges, and bringing honest feedback back to the company. We're helping shape the future of the platform by sharing what actually works (and what doesn't) in production environments. Partners and Customers, all with the same goal.

More importantly, we're helping each other. Some of my best friendships in tech have come from the NTC community. We celebrate wins together, troubleshoot problems together, and genuinely care about each other's success.

Should You Apply?

If you're reading this and wondering "Am I qualified to be a Champion?", let me share what I wish someone had told me before my first application. It's not about being perfect or knowing everything. It's about having passion and a desire to help others.

You might be a great fit if:

  • You find yourself naturally helping others in forums, Slack channels, or at user groups
  • You've got hands-on experience with Nutanix and have learned lessons (often the hard way) that could help others
  • You love sharing what you know, whether through writing, speaking, creating videos, or just being that person colleagues turn to for advice
  • You're genuinely excited about where technology is heading and want to be part of shaping it
  • You believe that communities are stronger when we lift each other up

You don't need to be a rockstar presenter or have thousands of followers. Some of the most impactful Champions I know are the quiet heroes who consistently show up to answer questions and help people succeed.

Application Timeline

  • Applications Open: October 1, 2025
  • Application Review: November 2025
  • Champions Announced: December 2025

Don't wait until the last minute! The application process is your opportunity to showcase your contributions and explain why you're passionate about the Nutanix community.

How to Apply (And My Advice)

Ready to throw your hat in the ring? Head over to the NTC Application Form and tell your story.

Here's my advice as you fill it out: be genuine. The selection committee isn't looking for buzzwords or perfectly polished corporate speak. They want to understand:

  • How you've contributed to the community - big or small, it all counts
  • What you've learned from real-world implementations (including the failures!)
  • How you've helped others - maybe it's one person, maybe it's hundreds. Both matter.
  • What you're passionate about in the future of technology and how you want to contribute

Don't undersell yourself, but also don't feel like you need to exaggerate. The NTC program values authenticity and a genuine desire to give back.

For complete details about the program and application requirements, visit the official announcement.

.Next 2026: Let's Meet in Chicago

While you're working on your NTC application, let's talk about .Next 2026. If you've never been to a Nutanix .Next conference, you're missing out on one of the best events in our industry. And if you have been before, you know exactly why I'm already planning my trip!

Event Details

  • Dates: April 7-9, 2026
  • Location: McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
  • Registration: Now Open

Why This Year Matters

Look, I could tell you about all the sessions, the demos, and the party (and yes, Nutanix knows how to throw a party), but let me be real with you about why 2026 is a year you don't want to miss .Next.

The industry is at a genuine inflection point right now:

The hypervisor world has been turned upside down. The Broadcom acquisition of VMware has left a lot of us reassessing our infrastructure strategies. Whether you're actively looking at alternatives or just want to understand your options, you need to be informed. .Next will give you direct access to real conversations about what's possible.

AI isn't hype anymore, it's production. Agentic AI and distributed data strategies aren't future talk; they're happening now. The question isn't "should we?" but "how do we do this right?" You'll see real implementations, learn from others who've been there, and understand how to avoid the pitfalls.

Hybrid cloud is maturing. We're past the experimental phase. Organizations are running production workloads at scale, and the lessons learned are invaluable. You'll hear from people who've actually done it, not just theorized about it.

But here's what I value most about .Next: the conversations that happen in the hallways, at the networking events, and over coffee. You'll meet:

  • Peers who are solving the same problems you are
  • Nutanix engineers who actually build the products (and who genuinely want your feedback)
  • Partners with real-world solutions
  • That NTC community I mentioned earlier (we're a friendly bunch!)

The formal sessions are great, but some of my best takeaways from past .Next events have come from casual conversations with other attendees who said, "Oh, we solved that problem by doing..."

Let's Do This Together

Here's my challenge to you: don't just read this post and move on. Take action on at least one of these opportunities.

If you've been contributing to the Nutanix community in any way, even if it feels small to you, apply for the NTC program. The worst that happens is you don't get selected this year, but you've started a conversation and shown your interest. The best that happens? You join an incredible community that will change your career and make genuine friendships along the way.

And seriously, register for .Next. I know it's an investment of time and money, but I've never met anyone who regretted attending. The knowledge you'll gain, the connections you'll make, and the perspective you'll get on where the industry is heading: it's worth it. Plus, Chicago in April is pretty nice!

I'm going to be at .Next 2026, and I'm applying for my 10th year as an NTC. I'd love to meet you there. Come find me, say hi, and let's talk about what we're working on and how we can help each other succeed.

Here's where to start:

See you in Chicago! And if you apply for NTC or register for .Next, drop a comment below or reach out—I'd love to hear about it.

Remember: the best communities are built by people who show up and contribute. Whether that's answering a question in a forum, writing a blog post, or attending an event—every contribution matters. Let's make 2026 a great year for the Nutanix community together.