Building a Thriving DevNet Community Together

A Memorable 2024 Cisco Live Experience

Reflecting on Cisco Live AMER 2024, it's clear that this year's event was a resounding success. One of the highlights was facilitating the "Share Your Experience" booth, where I had the opportunity to engage in insightful conversations with attendees. Meeting a long-time Cisco API user who didn't see themselves as part of the DevNet community was particularly eye-opening.?

This feedback is helping us improve our strategy.?

Additionally, receiving positive feedback about the growth of the DevNet Zone was heartwarming. Our activities were a hit, from sandbox arcade games to fun signs for selfies. It's always about the people; your participation makes this community thrive.

The Power of Personal Connection

One of the most rewarding aspects of Cisco Live was the chance to connect with community members in person. There's something uniquely powerful about face-to-face interactions that cannot be replicated digitally. Standing at the "Share Your Experience" booth, I had the pleasure of speaking with many of you about your experiences, needs, and aspirations within DevNet.

One memorable conversation was with a long-time user of Cisco APIs, who, despite their extensive engagement with our tools and resources, did not consider themselves part of DevNet. This revelation was surprising and enlightening, underscoring the need to better communicate the benefits of being an active community member. These personal interactions provide invaluable insights that help us shape our strategy to be more inclusive and engaging.

Community Evolution

The DevNet community has evolved significantly, especially in the digital space. The pandemic highlighted the challenges of maintaining relationships without in-person interactions, but it also pushed us to innovate. We've created spaces for digital engagement (such as WebEx rooms) evolved our support forums, allowing members to connect in real time and find answers to their technical questions. These digital tools have become essential in keeping our community vibrant and connected.

In addition to these platforms, we're launching new programs to cater to various interests. Our advisory groups focus on emerging topics like AI and sustainability, offering members a chance to contribute to discussions on these critical issues.

We're also excited about our upcoming user group program, which will provide local communities with meaningful opportunities to engage with DevNet. These initiatives are designed to ensure that everyone who wants to participate in the community can do so in a way that suits them best.

DevNet Future Plans & Innovations

Looking ahead, we have several exciting plans for the DevNet community. One of our main goals is to host in-person meet-ups before major events like Cisco Live. These gatherings will offer an intimate setting for community members to connect, share experiences, and build stronger relationships.

We're also expanding our user group program to allow people within their local communities to feel part of DevNet. We hope to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all members by fostering these smaller, more localized groups. Additionally, we plan to create dedicated community spaces within the DevNet Zone at Cisco Live, allowing for specific interactions and activities.

These future initiatives are about enhancing belonging. We believe that by providing more digital and in-person engagement opportunities, we can continue growing and strengthening the community.

It has always been, and will always be, about the people.

Thank you all for making Cisco Live AMER 2024 unforgettable. The event's success truly reflects your participation, whether in person or online.

I enjoyed spending time with everyone at Cisco Live. It truly reminded me why I’m excited to get up every morning.

We're excited about the future and the new programs and initiatives we're rolling out. If you're not already a part of our community, now is the perfect time to join. Whether you're interested in attending in-person meet-ups, participating in our advisory groups, or simply connecting with others in our support forums, there's something for everyone.

Let's continue to build this amazing community together.