Unless I'm missing something, vPro is not a requirement for VMware products. The only applications I can think of, which requires vPro is Citrix's XenClient!?
Click here to find the Installation Requirements of VMware Workstation 8.x and newer. I'm using an Elitegroup Mainboard with an Intel I7-2600 without issues and I'm pretty sure the Intel Mainboard does support all the CPU features required for the VMware lab.
André