VMware Explore 2026 travel guide: Hotels, restaurants, budget and more

VMware Explore 2026 brings thousands of IT practitioners, partners, and executives to The Venetian Convention and Expo Center for four days of private cloud strategy, hands-on technical training, and partner conversations.[1][2] The choices you make before and between sessions shape the value you take home. A well-planned week can leave you with a validated infrastructure roadmap, stronger connections, and actionable next steps instead of conference fatigue and unexpected expenses.

What is VMware Explore and who is it for?

VMware Explore is Broadcom's flagship private-cloud conference for IT practitioners, partners, and executives, built around VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF), modern infrastructure, and hands-on technical training.[2] The 2026 event runs Aug. 31–Sept. 3 at The Venetian Convention and Expo Center in Las Vegas.[1][2]

The audience includes cloud architects planning VCF upgrades, platform engineers evaluating private AI workloads, security teams assessing networking and load-balancing changes, and partners working the Meetings+ track toward a signed deal.

In 2025 VMware Explore delivered more than 400 sessions in the same venue across four content tracks.[7][8] The 2026 catalog follows the same structure:[4]

• Cloud Infrastructure
• Modern Apps
• Innovation
• Networking, Security & Load Balancing

For the 2025 technical program, VMware partnered with VMware User Group (VMUG) leaders to help curate the agenda, and 2026 builds on that practitioner-driven approach.[6] The 2026 content catalog is already live, and session pre-scheduling opened July 21 for attendees with a completed Full Event Pass registration.[4]

If you're building the business case for attending, focus on measurable outcomes: validating a VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) upgrade path before your next maintenance window, earning the certification exam included with your pass, or meeting with partners in The Meeting Center to move projects forward.

What makes VMware Explore 2026 worth the trip

Explore is where Broadcom unveils its private cloud and private AI roadmap. For practitioners, that means direct access to the engineers building VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and hands-on labs you can't replicate with an on-demand recording. For IT leaders, it means leaving with a validated upgrade strategy and the technical context to support next year's infrastructure investments.

Some of the highest-value experiences happen outside the session rooms:

• The Hub: A combined expo and community space featuring sponsor booths, the VMware by Broadcom booth, Hands-on Labs, and certification exams[8]
• The Party: The conference's signature evening event, included with the Full Event Pass, with add-on tickets available for other pass types[3][6]
• VMware Odyssey: A hands-on technical competition where practitioners solve real-world infrastructure challenges
• Community and VMUG events: User group meetups, partner receptions, and networking events that run throughout Explore week

The return on your trip comes from what you accomplish while you're there: earning a certification included with your pass, validating a private AI architecture before budget season, and building partner relationships that continue long after the conference ends.

Where to stay for VMware Explore 2026

Your hotel does more than give you a place to sleep. It determines how much time you spend getting around, whether you can take a midday break between sessions, and how easily you can fit in evening networking events. The Venetian and Palazzo connect directly to the convention center via climate-controlled walkways, making it easy to move between your room and the conference without stepping into the Las Vegas heat.

Hotels by distance to The Venetian Convention and Expo Center

Compare your options by walk time, character, and what you'll pay during conference week:

Las Vegas isn't a city where 'near the convention center” always means convenience. The Venetian and Palazzo offer the shortest walk to sessions, while the Wynn corridor balances proximity with a quieter atmosphere. Harrah's, the LINQ, and Flamingo are solid value options if you're comfortable adding 15–20 minutes of walking to your day.

VMware Explore hotel pricing

Navan analyzed anonymized hotel booking patterns near The Venetian Convention and Expo Center during the August 2025 VMware Explore conference week (check-ins Aug. 22–31). Use these benchmarks to put 2026 pricing into context:[13]

• Median hotel rate: During conference week, the median nightly rate near the venue was $264 — a modest premium over a normal August week in the same area ($256 median).
• Stay length: Business travelers stayed an average of 3.3 nights in 4.6-star properties.
• Check-in pattern: Sunday was the most common arrival day and Thursday the most common departure day.
• Late bookings: Nearly 36% of bookings were made within two weeks of check-in, with 23.4% occurring within the final seven days.

When to book (median nightly rate by lead time):

• 2+ months ahead: $278 median (highest)
• 1–2 months ahead: $260 median
• 2–4 weeks ahead: $277 median
• 1–2 weeks ahead: $158 median (lowest rate window in the data)
• Last minute (0–7 days): $248 median

What stands out: The biggest pricing gap in Navan's data — about $119 a night — fell between the two-to-four-week and one-to-two-week booking windows. Because that lowest-price window reflects a smaller sample, it's better treated as an outlier than a strategy. The broader trend is that waiting until the final month before check-in didn't consistently lower hotel costs.

If an official hotel block is still open when you register, compare it with current market rates before booking. A block isn't always cheaper, and rooms inside the Venetian/Palazzo complex still sell out during Explore week, regardless of when you book.

VMware Explore flight trends

Business travelers flew to VMware Explore from across the U.S., with San Jose, the San Francisco Bay Area, Orlando, Phoenix, and Boston representing the largest domestic origin markets.[13] Around 26% of travelers arrived on international itineraries, underscoring Explore's global audience. If you're crossing multiple time zones, plan buffer time and consider arriving the night before the Monday keynote.

How Navan Edge helps with hotel bookings

Navan Edge helps you book flights, hotels, and restaurants in a single chat using your preferences and real-time inventory. If you're attending VMware Explore, you can ask it to find hotels in the Venetian/Palazzo complex or near Treasure Island with the amenities you care about, then book your LAS flight in the same conversation.

As availability tightens closer to the conference, Navan Edge can find alternatives or handle other requests without starting over. Learn more in our guides about how to book a conference trip and what an AI travel agent can — and can't — do.

Get more value from your booking

Travel bookings through Navan Edge let you stack three types of rewards: hotel loyalty points (earned as if you booked directly), credit card multipliers, and 5% back in Amazon Gift Cards on eligible hotel bookings.

Navan Edge's Loyalty Wallet keeps your program statuses and progress visible. For a deeper look at the mechanics, see our guide on how to earn travel rewards on business trips.

Set your Las Vegas budget before traveling

A conference budget isn't just the registration fee. Hotel rates, meals, airport transportation, client dinners, and evening networking events can add up quickly during Explore week. Start with your company's travel policy, then compare it with the federal per diem and current conference-week pricing to estimate your actual costs.

Federal per diem for Las Vegas

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) sets federal per diem rates by city and season. For Las Vegas (Clark County), the August and September 2026 rates are:

• $212 per day: Includes $126 per night for lodging and $86 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE)
• M&IE breakdown: $22 for breakfast, $23 for lunch, $36 for dinner, and $5 for incidentals (deduct conference-provided meals from your meal claim as applicable)
• First and last travel days: M&IE is typically reimbursed at 75% of the daily rate ($64.50) when you're in transit[6]

Note: GSA updates these rates each October, so verify the current figures before you travel, especially because VMware Explore falls near the end of the federal fiscal year. The federal lodging allowance is also a useful reality check. During VMware Explore 2025, Navan booking data showed a median nightly hotel rate of $264 near the venue — about $138 above the GSA lodging rate.[13] If your travel policy follows federal per diem closely, consider staying a little farther north on the Strip or discussing your expected hotel costs with finance before booking.

Other expenses to consider

Registration and hotel costs are only part of the equation. These are the other expenses most attendees should factor into their VMware Explore budget.

• Conference registration: Pricing for the Full Event Pass, Essentials Pass, and Meetings+ Pass varies by registration date and membership status; verify current pricing on the official VMware Explore 2026 site before booking.[3][18]
• The Party add-on: Full Event Pass holders are admitted at no additional cost; Essentials Pass and Meetings+ Pass holders can purchase access for $250; guest tickets are also $250.[3][6]
• Conference-provided meals: Reduce your M&IE claim for those days and track which lunches or Hub receptions your pass includes.[9]
• Airport transfer: Rideshares from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) typically cost $20–$35 before surge pricing. The RTC bus costs about $6–$8 with a transfer if you have more time than luggage.[10]
• Client dinners: Restaurants at The Venetian and Palazzo typically run $75–$175 per person, with destination steakhouses costing more.
• After-hours networking: Partner receptions, VMUG events, and unofficial meetups can add cover charges, hosted-bar minimums, or extra transportation costs.

Planning for these costs in advance helps you stay within policy, avoid last-minute surprises, and wrap up your expense report once you're back in the office.

Plan your agenda with flexibility

It's tempting to fill every minute of your time at VMware Explore, but the busiest schedule isn't always the most productive one. Build your week around your highest-priority sessions, then leave room for Hands-on Labs, The Hub, and the conversations that happen between them.

Spend 30 minutes on these tasks before Explore begins:

• Sessions: Favorite must-see sessions in the Explore catalog and reserve Hands-on Labs or certification exams as soon as scheduling opens.⁴
• Meetings: Reach out to partners, speakers, customers, or peers about two weeks before the conference with a specific 15-minute meeting request.
• Logistics: Download the mobile app, enable notifications, set your out-of-office, and confirm your calendar includes The Venetian Convention and Expo Center.
• Contacts: Decide how you'll exchange contact information (QR code, NFC, or LinkedIn), and add a short note after every conversation while it's still fresh.

Our guide to planning a business trip covers flights, hotels, and pre-departure checklists in more detail.

What to pack and wear at VMware Explore

VMware Explore attendees tend to dress business casual, so pack polos, button-downs, chinos, jeans, and comfortable closed-toe shoes. If you're presenting, meeting customers, or hosting a dinner, pack one outfit that's more polished.

Late August in Las Vegas is still hot, with daytime highs often reaching the upper 90s,[12] but you'll spend most of the conference inside air-conditioned convention halls connected by indoor walkways. Lightweight clothing plus an extra layer for chilly breakout rooms is usually the right combination.

Conference essentials

Most attendees remember the laptop and charger. These are the items people wish they'd packed by day two:

• Two pairs of shoes: Convention floors are hard, and the Venetian/Palazzo complex is sprawling. Rotating shoes helps prevent blisters after two 15,000-step days.
• Portable battery (20,000mAh or larger): Your phone is your badge, map, calendar, and contact-exchange tool.
• Refillable water bottle, lip balm, and moisturizer: Desert heat and dry convention air dry out your skin and dehydrate you faster than you notice.
• Hand sanitizer: Thousands of attendees in enclosed spaces — even in the summer — make “con crud” a real risk by day three.
• Earplugs and eyemask: These essentials are a must if you're staying on the Strip or attending evening events.

Getting from the airport to the VMware Explore venue

Most attendees fly into Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), about three miles from The Venetian Convention and Expo Center.[10][11] The Venetian doesn't provide a complimentary airport shuttle, so it's worth deciding both when to arrive and how you'll get to the hotel before you travel.

If your schedule allows, arrive the night before the Monday keynote. You'll start day one rested instead of recovering from a red-eye, and you'll have time to pick up your badge before the morning rush. Here are your main transportation options from LAS:

For most solo travelers arriving during business hours with luggage, rideshare is the practical default. The Strip is close enough to LAS that the time savings usually outweigh the slightly higher cost.

If your room isn't ready when you arrive, Navan Edge's 24/7 human travel experts can request early check-in on your behalf so you can drop your bags, freshen up, and head to The Hub or a partner dinner.

Beyond sessions: Make time for The Hub and hallway conversations

The best conversations at VMware Explore often happen between sessions. Plan your must-attend breakouts, but leave time for Hands-on Labs, The Hub, and the discussions that continue long after the presentation ends.

• Use the VMware Explore app: Track session capacity, room changes, and navigation across the Venetian Convention and Expo Center in real time.[4]
• Spend time in The Hub: Explore sponsor booths, the VMware by Broadcom booth, Hands-on Labs, certification exams, and community theaters throughout the week.[8]
• Plan for evening events: The Party is included with the Full Event Pass; VMUG meetups, partner receptions, and other networking events continue after the session schedule ends.[3][6]

Network like you're building pipeline

A few simple habits before, during, and after VMware Explore can turn a quick introduction into a lasting professional connection. Follow this before-during-after approach:

• Before the conference: Build your target list, research recent VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) announcements or product updates, and send personalized outreach about two weeks ahead with a specific 15-minute request.
• During the conference: Ask thoughtful questions, introduce contacts who would benefit from meeting each other, and jot down a quick note about every conversation while it's still fresh.
• Within 48 hours of the conference ending: Send a short message referencing what you discussed, connect on LinkedIn if you haven't already, and suggest a concrete next step. Block two hours on your calendar for follow-up before you leave Las Vegas — reply rates drop sharply after 48 hours.[17]

One final tip: Leave some unscheduled time in your day. VMware Explore rewards hallway conversations, Hands-on Labs, and unexpected introductions just as much as breakout sessions. A short break, a proper lunch, or a quick reset at your hotel can leave you with more energy for an afternoon certification exam or evening networking than trying to attend every session.

What to eat at VMware Explore 2026

Four days of sessions, networking, and long walks across the convention center call for more than coffee between meetings. Start each morning with a filling breakfast, pack protein-rich snacks for long stretches between meals, and stay ahead of dehydration in the Las Vegas heat.

When it's time for something more substantial, these restaurants work well for different conference moments:

• Client dinner: CUT by Wolfgang Puck inside The Palazzo handles business dinners with a private dining room and full restaurant buyout options steps from the convention center.[14]
• Team meal: Yardbird Southern Table & Bar on Restaurant Row at The Venetian works for group dinners with Southern comfort food and a casual-elegant dining room — no white-tablecloth formality required.[15]
• Quick bites: Cañonita on the Grand Canal offers scratch-made Mexican dishes and a grab-and-go Street Taqueria for a fast lunch between sessions, with canal-front views for anyone with a few extra minutes.[16]

If you're coordinating a client dinner or team meal, Navan Edge can book restaurant reservations in the same chat where you manage your hotel and flights, also making last-minute changes easier during a busy conference week.

Finish strong on departure day

Your conference doesn't really end when the closing session does. These final tasks can make departure day less stressful and help you get more from the trip once you're home.

• Pack the night before: Charge your devices, organize your belongings, and check all the hotel drawers and cabinets for anything you might've forgotten.
• Request late checkout: If you have an evening flight, ask for a late checkout during check-in and confirm again the night before. Navan Edge's 24/7 human travel experts can also help request it on your behalf.
• Leave extra airport time: Harry Reid International Airport gets busy after major conferences, so aim to arrive at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international departure.
• Use airport lounge access: If your credit card includes it, use the extra time to catch up on email, organize receipts, or review your notes before you board.
• Submit expenses promptly: Upload receipts and explain any policy exceptions while the details are still fresh. If you're traveling internationally, save receipts in their original currency and follow your employer's reimbursement policy for currency conversion.
• Save follow-up time: Block an hour or two on your calendar to follow up with new contacts, organize your notes, and share key takeaways with your team before everyday work takes over.

A little organization before you head home makes it much easier to turn four busy days in Las Vegas into long-term value once you're back at work.

Make your VMware Explore 2026 trip count

VMware Explore 2026 rewards attendees who plan with intention. Choose the right hotel, build a realistic budget, prioritize the sessions that matter most, and start your follow-up before you leave Las Vegas. Those small decisions make it easier to return home with stronger connections, clearer technical direction, and a plan to put what you learned into practice.

Planning your VMware Explore 2026 trip? Let Navan Edge book your flights, hotels, and restaurants in one chat.

Navan is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Broadcom, VMware or their organizers, and this guide is not an official Broadcom or VMware publication. Broadcom and VMware are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here for identification and descriptive purposes only. All schedules, pricing, venue details, and program information are subject to change; verify current details with the official organizers before you travel.

Navan publishes this guide as part of its Navan Edge content series. Navan Edge is a Navan product referenced throughout this post. Card benefits, fees, loyalty program thresholds, earning structures, reward values, and AI capabilities described in this article are subject to change and were accurate as of the date of publication. Verify current terms with your card issuer, loyalty program operator, or the relevant program's website before making decisions. Amazon Gift Card rewards are subject to Navan Edge Terms and Conditions for eligible hotel bookings.

© Navan, Inc. All rights reserved. Navan and Navan's logo are trademarks of Navan, Inc.

Sources

• VMware, "VMware Explore | Las Vegas | Aug. 31 – Sep. 3, 2026," 2026
• Broadcom, "VMware Explore Empowers IT Practitioners to Drive Modern Private Cloud Initiatives; 2026 Event Series Unveiled," GlobeNewswire, March 2026
• VMware, "Registration Is Now Live for Las Vegas," blogs.vmware.com, 2026
• VMware, "Plan. Filter. Favorite. The Content Catalog Is Live," blogs.vmware.com, 2026
• VMware, "Your Guide to Las Vegas: Get More During VMware Explore," blogs.vmware.com, 2026
• VMware, "What's New at VMware Explore? Sneak Peek at 2025 Updates," blogs.vmware.com
• Broadcom, "Broadcom Unveils Event Highlights for VMware Explore 2025," GlobeNewswire, August 2025
• VMware, "VMware Explore 2025 in Las Vegas: Recap," blogs.vmware.com, 2025
• U.S. General Services Administration, "Per Diem Rates," FY 2026
• Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, "Ways to Travel: Airport Transit Routes," accessed 2026
• The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, "Resort Map and Transportation," accessed 2026
• Vegas Means Business / National Weather Service, "Weather in Las Vegas," accessed 2026
• Navan, anonymized analysis of hotel booking and flight data for business travelers near The Venetian Convention and Expo Center, August 2025 VMware Explore conference week (internal data)
• Wolfgang Puck, "CUT, Las Vegas," accessed 2026
• OpenTable, "Yardbird Table & Bar: The Venetian Las Vegas," accessed 2026
• Cañonita, "About Us," accessed 2026
• Dorie Clark, "How to Follow Up with People After a Conference," Harvard Business Review, December 2018
• VMware, "Pricing," vmware.com/explore/us/attend/pricing, accessed 2026