From Rejections to Sold-Out Session: My Journey to the Cisco Live Stage

For years, I watched Cisco Live sessions with admiration — each one sparking the same thought in my mind: “One day, I want to be up there, too.” I applied to speak at Cisco Live year after year, refining ideas, evolving with technology trends, and learning from each “thank you, but not this time” email, each one a small sting of disappointment, but also motivation to keep pushing forward.

In 2025, that dream finally became a reality.

My session, focused on chatbots and virtual assistants in Cisco Contact Centres, was accepted for Cisco Live EMEA 2025 — and to my absolute astonishment, it sold out, with a waiting list of attendees eager to dive into the topic.

The Perfect Timing

Cisco Live isn’t just an event — it’s a global stage where technology leaders and innovators share ideas that shape the future. For me, being accepted as a speaker wasn’t just an achievement, it was the realization of a dream years in the making. To finally stand on that stage felt like stepping into a moment I had envisioned for so long.

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Cisco had just launched the Webex AI Agent, an advanced virtual assistant designed to revolutionize customer support, and I had the incredible opportunity to tap into the excitement over this release with my talk, giving real-world context to a cutting-edge solution.

I shared how AI-powered virtual assistants are transforming the way we think about customer experiences — automating repetitive tasks, improving resolution times, and letting humans focus on complex, high-value interactions. But what truly amazed me was how the audience connected with the topic. People didn’t just fill the seats — they were engaged, sparking conversations and asking questions that extended beyond the session itself.

More Than Just a Talk

The experience didn’t end when the session did. Being accepted as a Cisco Live speaker — after so many tries — has not only been a career milestone but a career catalyst. It’s positioned me unexpectedly as a Subject Matter Expert in Contact Centre AI, opening doors to conversations, collaborations, and new opportunities that weren’t even on my radar before.

But most importantly, it reminded me that persistence pays off, especially when you’re supported by a company like Cisco.

Why Cisco Makes This Possible

Cisco isn’t just a tech company — it’s a place that believes in the people behind the ideas. I’m incredibly grateful to work in an environment that empowers employees to grow, speak up, and take the stage (literally). Being given the platform to share something I’m passionate about — and seeing that passion resonate with others — is a moment I’ll carry forward with pride.

What’s unique about Cisco is how it encourages us to dream big and provides the tools to make those dreams a reality. To anyone with big career dreams: keep going. Your voice matters, your ideas matter, and at Cisco, they’ll always have a place to shine.

Mine did — and it’s just the beginning.

Are you ready to find a place where you can shine? Discover a career opportunity now!

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