Since my first Cisco Live back in 2011, I have always been a huge fan of the annual event put on by the San Francisco-based networking company. Like many other Cisco Live stans, we were disappointed when due to the pandemic the best IT conference around transformed into a digital event in the summer of 2020. But like most everything Cisco does, the company’s event staff definitely made the most of the situation despite being an on-screen two-day event instead of a week-long conference in Las Vegas.
Cisco Live 2021 is no different. Now with one large digital scale event under their belt and a successful Cisco Connect digital event late last year, this year’s Cisco Live is stacking up to be truly awesome. You’re going to want to catch as many of the announcements that will be happening later this month, and there’s always the deep dive sessions on a variety of technologies that has become the hallmark of every Cisco Live.
I can get behind the “Turn It Up” theme of Cisco Live 2021, and here’s five reasons why you should tune in as well:
Free Explorer Pass
If you’re like me, work can get in the way of any conference you’re not physically attending. If you can’t commit to the entire two-day schedule, you can register for the Cisco Live 2021 Explorer Pass for free and catch what you can. The Explorer pass allows attendees access to Innovation Talks, keynotes, and leadership sessions as well as the Inspirational and Celebration sessions. Explorer pass holders will also be able to explore the World of Solutions, and Cisco Showcase Access.
All Access Pass
But if you have these two days marked on your calendar for a full schedule of activity, the Cisco Live 2021 All-Access Pass is only $349 or four Cisco Learning Credits (CLCs). With the All-Access pass, you’ll get 3-month unlimited access to all Anytime sessions, including in-depth technical education breakout sessions. The All-Access pass even has quite a few other benefits after Cisco Live ends. All-Access pass holders will get access to the DevNet workshops scheduled for April 5-15, Hands-On Labs held April 6-15, Meet the Engineer One-on-One sessions scheduled for April 5-9, and Bird of a Feather sessions on April 5-9.
Meet the Authors
There will be seven Meet the Author sessions also included with the All-Access pass. You will be able to interact with the Cisco Press authors in real-time to learn more about the stories behind the books and discuss a variety of topics and certification levels during these 45-minute Webex sessions focused on the titles below:
CCNA 200-301 Official Cert Guide Library & CCNA 200-301 Portable Command Guide – MTACRT-1400
Authors Wendell Odom and Scott Empson
CCNP and CCIE Enterprise Core ENCOR 350-401 and Adv. Routing ENARSI 300-410 Official Cert Guide – MTACRT-1300
Authors Brad Edgeworth, Ramiro Garza Rios, and Jason Gooley
CCNP and CCIE Security Core SCOR 350-701 Official Cert Guide – MTACRT-1000
Author Omar Santos
CCNP Collaboration Call Control and Mobility CLACCM 300-815 Official Cert Guide – MTACRT-1600
Authors Gonzalo Salgueiro, Paul Giralt, Patrick Kinane, and Kyzer Davis
CCNP Security Identity Management SISE 300-715 Official Cert Guide – MTACRT-1500
Authors Katherine McNamara and Aaron Woland
Cisco Certified DevNet Associate DEVASC 200-901 Official Cert Guide – MTACRT-1100
Authors Jason Gooley, Chris Jackson, Ashutosh Malegaonkar, and Adrian Iliesiu
Cisco Software-Defined Wide Area Networks: Designing, Deploying and Securing Your Next-Gen WAN with Cisco SD-WAN – MTACRT-1700
Authors Dustin Schuemann and Jason Gooley
Discounted Certification Exam and CDL
It wouldn’t be Cisco Live without certification exams. This exclusive offer allows Cisco Live 2021 All-Access pass holders to select one of the two options below:
- 3-month subscription to Cisco Digital Learning and one free written exam for $1,700 USD/17 CLCs
- 6-month subscription to Cisco Digital Learning and one free written exam for $3,100 USD /31 CLCs
Cisco Live Social
There’s a handful of reasons why I enjoy Cisco Live so much more than the average IT conference. I manage social for a training company and have for many years. Cisco Live is jam packed with educational opportunities but the Cisco Live social media activity has always set it apart for me. From #clus to #CiscoLive, I have tweeted those hashtags hundreds, maybe thousands of times, over the years. And not just during the event, but before and after the conference.
Usually it’s some amazing news like the certpocalypse announced by Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins during Cisco Live 2019 or that tennis legend Serena Williams is speaking at Cisco Live this year (I heard her at IBM IOD in 2013 and she knows her tech). Also making appearances during Cisco Live 2021 are sports icon Billie Jean King, director James Cameron, journalist Hannah Storm, country artist Keith Urban, pop star Bebe Rexha, Pentatonix, Brittany Howard, Black Pumas, chef Jose Andres, rock band Train and Bill Nye the Science Guy. Quite a lineup.
There are separate social channels set up for each of the three regions of the Cisco Live 2021 experience including the Americas; Asia Pacific, Japan and China; and Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Russia. Participating in Cisco Live’s social media has always included fun contests and prizes including trivia games; Shake, Rattle and Roll in the World of Solutions for an Apple Watch, and Capture the Flag contest.
A Word From Our Sponsor
Whether you are tuning in all day or just for a session or two, be sure to follow us on Twitter at @SkylineATS and myself @JohnMarkIvey for updates from Cisco Live 2021. We’ll be sharing announcements, giveaways, learning partner activities and all the cool stuff Cisco Live 2021 has to offer. Also, register for a chance to win a Cisco Exam Voucher from Skyline ATS or JBL wireless speakers during our Cisco Live giveaway. We will announce the winners after Cisco Live.
