Is it just me or is that link not working to Apply for Cisco Insider Champions 2026?

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DavidR
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Is it just me or is that link not working to Apply for Cisco Insider Champions 2026?

Who are Cisco Insider Champions?

Cisco Insider Champion members are recognized for their influence in the technical community through social engagements, content creation, and private advocacy. Cisco Insider Champions have access to ongoing and exclusive engagement with Cisco experts, Cisco technology, and an exclusive peer community.

The Cisco Insider Champion application is now live. Apply today to be a part of an elite, exclusive technical community.

 
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PhilipDAth
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Core changes that would be required for me:

  • I want the freedom to say if Cisco is doing a bad job, and to make such statements publicly.
  • I want the freedom to say if a Cisco product/software is bad, and to make such statements publicly.
  • I want the freedom to discuss and promote non-Cisco products.

 

I accept that the above only applies to information not covered by an NDA.  Obviously, information obtained in privilege should not be discussed publicly at all.

 

Also, because you don't receive the agreement until after you have been accepted into the program, there is no way to verify whether any changes have been made to it.  Consequently, I haven't bothered trying to reapply for many years.

 

That's my 2 cents of feedback.  🙂

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12 Replies 12
RWelch
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Cisco Insider Champion 2025 Application is now open! (dated 12/9/24) 

If you have any questions, please reach out to ciscochampions-pmo@cisco.com

If you found this post helpful, please give it Kudos. If my answer solves your problem please click Accept as Solution so others can benefit from it.
AmyReyes
Community Manager
Community Manager

Hi David, can you please link me to the page where you found the above info? 

 

That appears to be the link for the 2025 program, which is closed to applications now (the cutoff date was February 28, 2025 according to this announcement for the Cisco Insider Champion 2025 program). 

 

Here is a link to apply to the Cisco Insider Advocacy program , and I will ask the Cisco Community team if there is a link for the 2026 champion program specifically. Stay tuned!

RWelch
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Cisco Technical Influencer Hub (mid page)

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AmyReyes
Community Manager
Community Manager

Thanks, @RWelch

PhilipDAth
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Hey team.  I want to warn you that this program has onerous legal restrictions (or at least has had in the past) on what you can say, promote, or discuss online (including in any Cisco-owned communities).

 

I couldn't bring myself to sign off on the application in the past.

AmyReyes
Community Manager
Community Manager

Thanks @PhilipDAth for your transparency and sharing your perspective. 


FYI for @DavidR and anyone else who may be interested:

The team is making some changes to the program, with more info to come on that soon. The targeted application launch date for the next cohort is June 2026. 

PhilipDAth
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Core changes that would be required for me:

  • I want the freedom to say if Cisco is doing a bad job, and to make such statements publicly.
  • I want the freedom to say if a Cisco product/software is bad, and to make such statements publicly.
  • I want the freedom to discuss and promote non-Cisco products.

 

I accept that the above only applies to information not covered by an NDA.  Obviously, information obtained in privilege should not be discussed publicly at all.

 

Also, because you don't receive the agreement until after you have been accepted into the program, there is no way to verify whether any changes have been made to it.  Consequently, I haven't bothered trying to reapply for many years.

 

That's my 2 cents of feedback.  🙂

DavidR
Getting noticed

Yes, it becomes complicated.
I dove deep in to Fortinet during the last month and Fortinet has ONE thing going, besides the none cloud stand alone mode;
FortiGate control over switch/es connected via RJ45 withgout a licence - Even though this configuration obviously has no warranty on the switches after 1 year. However I like the concept.
There are clearly improvements to be done 

rhbirkelund
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Are you talking about the Cisco Champions? Because, that is not my impression at all. 

LinkedIn ::: https://blog.rhbirkelund.dk/

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DarrenOC
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What’s the difference between insiders and Champions?  I’ve done the champions once and found it a waste of effort.  Webex channels cluttered with pointless chat and a couple of product pre-launch webinars.

Darren OConnor | doconnor@resalire.co.uk
https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenoconnor/

I'm not an employee of Cisco/Meraki. My posts are based on Meraki best practice and what has worked for me in the field.
PhilipDAth
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Aren't they the same thing? 

DavidR
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How many titles are there actually?

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