First-timer’s Look on the re:Invent. What to Expect and How to Prepare

As a long-time Amazon Web Services (AWS) enthusiast, my first trip to re:Invent (in Las Vegas, NV) was very exciting. The energy during this conference was contagious. It felt like entering a stadium filled with sports fans (In fact, one of the events WAS at the Las Vegas Raiders stadium). The scale and the whole cloud computing vibe were next-level. I’m thrilled to share my experience and give some tips to help other first-timers get the most out of this AWSome event.

Throughout the week, I attended numerous breakout sessions, chalk talks, and workshops. The depth and breadth of content were impressive, covering everything from AI/ML and serverless architectures to migration and modernization life hacks.

One of the most valuable aspects of re:Invent was the networking. I met countless like-minded professionals, exchanged ideas, and formed connections that would last well beyond the conference. The evening events, from partner receptions to the legendary re:Play party, provided perfect settings for casual conversations with colleagues and clients.

Preparing for re:Invent

For those planning their first re:Invent, here are some key tips to maximize your experience:

• Set Your re:Invent Priorities Early:
  • Determine your priorities before anything else. Which kinds of talks would be absolutely necessary to attend, which are the nice-to-haves, and which will only be attended if, somehow, you get a free moment? It’s better to have this clear before you even look at the catalog because the avalanche of sessions you will see can be quite overwhelming
  • Once you have decided on your re:Invent priorities, look at the sessions catalog. This is available on the re:Invent portal much earlier than the registration opens for many of the sessions. Take advantage of this catalog to review the upcoming talks and mark the ones you like as favorites (note: It took me a couple of hours to get through the topics of interest and pick which talks I wanted to attend. Use the filters provided to save yourself some time)
  • Match sessions to your expertise by noting the level (100, 200, 300, 400) in the session ID
• Plan Your Schedule ASAP:
  • Session registration opens well before the event. Be ready to book your preferred sessions as soon as they open – popular ones fill up quickly!
  • If you’ve marked your favorite sessions as advised above it will make scheduling them much easier. You need to click “reserve” on each session you want to attend. To give you an idea of how quickly you need to act during registration: just a couple of hours after it opened, about 80% of the sessions I was interested in were already fully booked. So, it’s definitely advantageous to register as early as possible
  • If you can’t reserve a seat for the sessions you’re interested in, don’t worry — you can still try to attend as a walk-in. Reserved seats are released 10 minutes before the session is scheduled to start, and if you’re near the front of the “walk-in” line, there’s a good chance you’ll get in. To maximize your chances, aim to get in line at least 30 minutes before the session begins 
• Do not Overschedule
  • Pace yourself and leave sometime in between sessions to take a break and explore the Exhibit Hall (or “Expo”)
  • Leave at least 40 minutes to commute between venues
  • Dedicate some time to networking and catching up with your colleagues
• Don’t Miss the Keynotes
  • These are the longer, sessions with major announcements and insights from AWS’s leaders. These sessions will be live-streamed and if you are just too tired after the previous night of networking event, you can join them right from your hotel 
  • For those willing to join Keynotes in person at 8:30 AM - make sure you are at the venue no later than 8:00 AM, otherwise, you will not be able to get in. If you aren’t able to get into the main room for the keynote, you can still watch it in another conference hall (“overflow room”) as it will be broadcasted in multiple locations in each re:Invent venue
• Use the AWS Events Mobile App
  • The official re:Invent app is crucial for managing your schedule and navigating between venues. It also provides other helpful resources
• Attend Hands-On Workshops
  • These sessions provide invaluable practical experience
  • Bring your laptop and be prepared to dive into AWS services
  • Make sure to select the appropriate expertise level for the workshops (100, 200, 300, 400). Choosing the wrong level can lead to a training experience that is either overwhelming or frustrating to follow
• Explore Evening Events
  • Take advantage of the numerous networking events and parties. They're great for unwinding and meeting new people
• Take Care of Yourself
  • You'll be walking a LOT between venues. Comfortable shoes are a must!
  • Las Vegas is dry, and conference days are long. Always carry a water bottle, an energy bar, and a lip balm with you (please take this seriously!)

These tips will help you make the most of your re:Invent experience while keeping it enjoyable and productive.

Venues

AWS re:Invent is held at multiple venues in Las Vegas, featuring a variety of keynotes, sessions, and networking opportunities. The primary venues include:

The Venetian

• Acts as the main hub for re:Invent
• Hosts keynotes, large breakout sessions, and the expo hall
• Central location for registration and numerous networking events

Caesars Forum

• A recent addition known for breakout sessions, workshops, and chalk talks
• Connected to The Venetian by a dedicated walking bridge for easy access

The Wynn

• Focuses on specialized sessions, hands-on labs, and leadership-oriented events
• Provides a quieter environment conducive to in-depth learning

Mandalay Bay

• Hosts breakout sessions, workshops, and partner activities
• An important venue for industry-specific sessions

MGM Grand

• Typically accommodates large sessions and special events, including gamified learning experiences and hackathons

These venues collectively create an engaging environment for attendees to learn about AWS innovations and connect with the cloud community.

Types of Sessions

AWS re:Invent offers a wide variety of session types, including:

• Keynotes
• Bootcamps
• Breakout Sessions
• Builders’ Fair
• Builders’ Sessions
• Chalk Talks
• Code Talks
• Community Activities
• Conference Services
• Dev Chats
• Exam Prep
• Gamified Learning
• Innovation Talks
• Interactive Training
• Lightning Talks
• Self-Paced Training
• Workshops

Understanding what each type entails can help you plan your schedule to maximize your experience and avoid missing valuable sessions.

Interesting Facts

• Attendees of AWS re:Invent can grab their badges at a few convenient spots, including Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, which is extremely handy for those flying in for the event. This allows you to skip the long lines at the convention center and get right into the action. You can also pick up your badge at several other venues like the Venetian, MGM Grand, and Mandalay Bay during the event (but this may vary depending on the year). 
• At re:Invent, attendees wear different colored lanyards or badges to indicate their roles. These color-coded badges help attendees quickly identify the roles and affiliations of other participants, facilitating networking and interactions during the conference. This may change in the next years but in 2024 here is how the attendees’ badges were color-coded:
  • Black: General attendees and members of the AWS Partner Network
  • Green: re:Invent sponsors, seen in the Expo
  • Orange: AWS employees
  • Red: Members of the press and analyst groups
  • Grey: Participants in the Executive Summit
  • White: Vendors helping to organize re:Invent 
  • Purple: Extra guests of attendees, seen only at the re:Play party
• The Expo at Venetian is undoubtedly a place to visit! 
  • You will see all of the re:Invent sponsors there and have the opportunity to collect the conference swag 
  • The Expo features live demos, allowing participants to see how various solutions can complement their AWS usage
  • The Expo often includes interactive experiences where attendees can engage with new technologies and tools
  • The Expo provides access to valuable information about the latest trends and innovations in cloud computing. Attendees can attend lightning talks and discussions that enhance their understanding of AWS offerings
• Most sessions at re:Invent are recorded and made available on-demand after the event. However, some session types are not recorded due to their highly interactive or hands-on nature. For instance: 
  • Chalk Talks: These involve live whiteboarding and audience participation, making it difficult to capture the unscripted and dynamic discussions
  • Workshops, Builders’ Sessions, Jam Sessions, and Hackathons: These hands-on sessions focus on collaboration and interaction, which are challenging to record
  • Even for recorded sessions, technical delays or other issues may affect their availability. To ensure you don’t miss out, prioritize attending interactive sessions live, especially if they are of high interest to you
• Some sessions in the catalog are marked as [SIMULCAST] which means it is live-streamed or broadcast simultaneously to remote audiences at all re:invent venues. Also, there are talks that are marked as [REPEAT] which means that they will be delivered more than once during re:Invent and if the one you are looking into is already full, you can check for other times when it will be held
• Attendees can enjoy complimentary breakfast, lunch, and snacks throughout the event. Breakfast is available daily from Monday to Friday between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM, while lunch is offered from Monday to Thursday between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Overall, re:Invent offers plenty of food options to keep attendees fueled throughout the conference

Lessons Learned

From my experience this year, here are a few things I'll keep in mind while preparing for the next event:

• It's best to have a good mix of sessions instead of just focusing on all workshops or all chalk talks throughout the day. Mixing them up will give a more balanced experience
• Avoid moving between venues if you can, or, at least, limit yourself to just one move per day. The least stressful and most productive day I had was when I stayed at one venue the whole time
• Arrive the night before the event and get some good sleep. The conference has so many interesting sessions, and you’ll want to be alert and engaged without relying on energy drinks
• Navigating around a new city can sometimes be a bit tricky. Just a heads up: Caesars Palace and Caesars Forum are not the same so, make sure you know which one you're heading to! :)

Conclusion

Attending re:Invent is like stepping into the future of cloud computing. It's an intense week of learning, networking, and inspiration that will energize your AWS journey. While watching sessions online is informative, being there in person is truly transformative. The connections you make, the live demonstrations you witness, and the overall atmosphere create an experience that simply can't be replicated virtually. As you prepare for your first re:Invent, remember to approach it with an open mind and a readiness to learn. re:Invent is more than just a conference; it's a celebration of innovation and community in the cloud computing world. Get ready for an unforgettable experience that will leave you inspired, informed, and eager to apply your new knowledge once you are back home.