I am going to post what I did so that everyone who is attempting to become a VCI has this information. I am now a VCI but have found obtaining it to be an issue if you are not employed with a VATC. I don't know how difficult it is to get sponsorship when you work with a VATC, but I imagine it is easier.
As stated above, my first issue was finding anyone within the VMware Education infrastructure to get me to the name of someone who could help. I was assisted by my main contact but his hands were tied and could not recommend anyone specifically to me because this would show favoritism. I understand this stance and it is just something that you have to understand as you progress through the system. As the result, I didn't get sponsored for quite some time. I was able to get a contact when I asked for the next higher level of management within education. At that point I had someone I could talk to who worked with "contract"(I don't remember the exact word VMware uses for contractors) VCIs. I then sat through the workshop with another contract VCI and his sponsor had not communicated with him for quite some time so I put him in touch with my sponsor.
So if you are trying to get a sponsor, expect it to be some work. It involves more than just talking to a VATC, because they are concerned that they will somehow be liable to give me work. But if you keep with it, you will make it through all the hoops. It was a bunch of work to become a VCI, but it is well worth it.
If I can help anyone through this process, please contact me so I can help you through the process.
Bob D.
