Every year, a select group of Sitecore community members earns one of the ecosystem's most prestigious distinctions: Sitecore MVP. But few people understand what it actually takes to get there. In this episode of The Sitecore Water Cooler podcast, hosts Maggie Burke and Rick Bauer sit down with Tamas Varga, Director of Community Programs at Sitecore, and Sebastian Winter, Sitecore's Community Programs Manager, to uncover the story behind the program. From its origins and selection process to the benefits of becoming a Sitecore MVP, this conversation offers valuable insights for current and aspiring community leaders alike.
For captions, click "CC" within the video player. To read the transcript of this episode, click the transcript link within the description of the video on YouTube.
The Origins of the Sitecore MVP Program & Why It Continues to Thrive
The Sitecore MVP Program was launched in 2008 as a way to recognize the growing number of community members who were sharing their knowledge, publishing content, and helping others succeed with Sitecore. As Tamas Varga explained, the program was created not simply to hand out awards, but to build stronger connections between Sitecore and its most engaged contributors. Over the years, that mission has remained consistent: celebrate meaningful contributions while creating opportunities for deeper collaboration between MVPs and Sitecore product teams.
What continues to set the program apart is its community-first culture. Members regularly share ideas, support one another across organizations, and build relationships that extend far beyond professional networking. According to Varga, those lasting friendships and the willingness of community members to help each other are what make the program truly unique.
"It started with the same idea and same mission as we have today: recognizing those contributions and making sure that both parties get the most out of this relationship." – Tamas Varga, Director of Community Programs, Sitecore
From Developers to Digital Leaders: How the Sitecore MVP Program Evolved
While the mission of the Sitecore MVP Program has remained consistent, the community it serves has expanded significantly over the years. Sitecore began as a highly technical platform, which naturally led to a predominantly technical MVP community. As the platform evolved to support broader business and marketing needs, the program followed suit with the introduction of Strategist and Ambassador MVP categories.
Today, the community reflects a much wider range of expertise, including marketers, customer advocates, architects, consultants, and developers. In fact, Varga noted that technology-focused MVPs now represent only about half of the overall community. Alongside this growth, the program has introduced additional collaboration opportunities, recurring meetings, webinars, and access to Sitecore learning resources. This evolution has strengthened Sitecore community engagement and reinforced the value of diverse perspectives across the Sitecore ecosystem.
"It's not a pure tech community. It's a community of people surrounding the Sitecore ecosystem and the Sitecore products." – Sebastian Winter, Community Programs Manager, Sitecore
Understanding the Sitecore MVP Selection Process & Evaluation Criteria
The application process to become a Sitecore MVP is designed to evaluate sustained community impact rather than a single achievement. Applications are accepted throughout the year and must be finalized by the end of November. Once submissions close, more than 100 reviewers, including existing MVPs, regional representatives, and category reviewers, participate in a multi-stage evaluation process. Each application is reviewed by at least two people, with new applicants often receiving additional reviews.
The Sitecore MVP selection process focuses on four primary areas: content creation, community engagement, public speaking, and product feedback or references. Just as important as the type of contribution is the ability to verify it through links, recordings, event listings, or other supporting evidence.
While visibility matters, reviewers place significant emphasis on quality and consistency, rewarding meaningful contributions made to the Sitecore community throughout the year, rather than a last-minute surge of activity.
How Sitecore MVPs Make Meaningful Contributions
The ways people contribute to the Sitecore community continue to evolve, and today's MVP candidates have more opportunities than ever to share their expertise. One of the biggest shifts in recent years has been the rise of new content formats.
While Twitter (now X) once played a central role in community conversations, much of that activity has moved to LinkedIn. At the same time, podcasts, YouTube channels, short-form video content, and even Sitecore-focused TikTok content have emerged as valuable forms of Sitecore community contributions. Varga also highlighted the growing adoption of Sitecore Marketplace modules and open-source projects, giving community members new ways to create tangible value for others.
What’s important to recognize is that contributors do not need to excel in every category. Strong content creators, active Slack participants, community advocates, and public speakers can all make meaningful contributions, provided their work is visible and verifiable.
"If you don't want to get in front of people, that's totally fine. That doesn't prevent you from becoming an MVP." – Sebastian Winter, Community Programs Manager, Sitecore
The Real Benefits of Being a Sitecore MVP
The benefits of being a Sitecore MVP go far beyond the title itself. According to Rick Bauer, one of the biggest advantages is access: access to community leaders, fellow MVPs, product managers, and early product information shared under NDA. That access creates opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional growth that extend well beyond technical knowledge.
MVPs also receive access to Sitecore Learning resources, training opportunities, and exclusive events such as the Sitecore MVP Summit, where attendees gain deeper insight into product strategy, roadmap discussions, and upcoming innovations. Direct access to Sitecore product teams can also help MVPs provide feedback that influences future enhancements.
Just as valuable as the technical benefits are the relationships built along the way. Varga and Winter emphasized that networking, mentorship, and lasting friendships are among the most meaningful aspects of the program.
How to Become a Sitecore MVP: Practical Advice for Aspiring Community Leaders
Aspiring MVPs are encouraged to focus less on earning recognition and more on contributing in ways that align with their passions. Varga also recommended that interested community members start with mentorship. He said mentorship is one of the most effective ways to get involved in the community, build relationships, and learn how to make meaningful contributions. A mentor can help newcomers navigate the Sitecore ecosystem, identify opportunities to contribute, and gain confidence as they become more active. Varga also emphasized that there are many experienced community members willing to support aspiring MVPs and share their knowledge.
When it comes to becoming an MVP, authentic, passion-driven participation matters far more than chasing a title. Whether your strengths lie in content creation, community engagement, public speaking, or another area, consistent contributions and strong relationships are the foundation of long-term success within the Sitecore community.
"You don't have to do blogging. You don't have to do public speaking. Do what you are passionate about, because that passion will be reflected in the community." – Tamas Varga, Director of Community Programs, Sitecore
The Future of the Sitecore MVP Program
Looking toward the future of the Sitecore MVP program, leaders say they remain committed to putting community first. Both Varga and Winter emphasized the importance of preserving the welcoming, collaborative culture that has defined the community for years. Leaders are also looking for opportunities to expand participation, particularly through increased customer involvement and continued diversity across the Sitecore community.
The Sitecore MVP Program is built on community, collaboration, mentorship, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed. Wherever your strengths or interest lie, there are many ways to make meaningful contributions and grow within the Sitecore ecosystem.
To hear the full conversation and gain even more insights from the leaders behind the program, listen to the complete podcast episode. And if you found this article helpful, be sure to explore our related Sitecore resources and share this post with your network.
Listen to The Sitecore Water Cooler, Today!
Start listening on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch the episode recorded in the Americaneagle.com Studios on YouTube.
This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios.
Connect with:
- The Sitecore Water Cooler: Website // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook
- Maggie Burke: LinkedIn
- Rick Bauer: LinkedIn
- Tamas Varga: LinkedIn
- Sebastian Winter: LinkedIn
- Resources: Sitecore Consulting & Website Development | Sitecore - Website
About: For years, ‘water cooler talk’ has been a natural way for people in the workplace to come together and connect on common interest topics in what would otherwise be a formal environment; it boosts morale, improves culture, and gets the creative juices flowing! Some of the best workplace ideas and conversations happen through face-to-face conversations around the ‘water cooler,’ so just as the name implies, The Sitecore Water Cooler podcast is a casual conversation between colleagues and peers centered around all things Sitecore. This podcast is an outlet for various Sitecore experts within the Sitecore community to have a meaningful discussion around the latest with Sitecore products, every day topics, challenges and successes associated with this top-of-line digital experience platform. Each podcast episode will range in topic, but will be geared towards quick-hitting initiatives that affect how business is done today. Whether you’re a new Sitecore user, a Sitecore MVP, or just someone who wants to learn more about Sitecore technology and capabilities, then meet us at the water cooler!
