February in the AWS Community: Hackathons, Events + Opportunities

Hello, AWS Community! Ready to spice up your February? It’s not just about events; we’re talking a whole range of exciting opportunities for you to get involved with AWS. From generative AI hackathons to unmissable meetups, and from leadership opportunities to insightful online programs, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re just getting started, or itching to dive deeper into AWS and connect with fellow cloud computing fans, or just looking for ways to contribute and learn, we’ve got you covered. Let’s embark on this journey to uncover the diverse and enriching experiences the AWS Community offers this February.

Also - if you think I’ve missed something on this list, let me know via LinkedIn, Twitter or Instagram.

There’s so much buzz about the launch of the PartyRock Generative AI Hackathon - an incredible opportunity for creators to innovate with AWS. Dive in at partyrock.aws to create an app in one of four categories, from interactive learning to creative assistants, and submit it at awspartyrockhackathon.devpost.com. While making a 90-second demo video isn’t mandatory, it’s a fantastic way to showcase your project. With submissions closing on March 11, participants can engage with peers on the AWS Community Discord, blog about their journey here on community.aws and compete for a share of $20k in prizes and $100k in AWS credits. Whether remixing the ChatRPG app or embarking on a freestyle project, this hackathon is a playground for creativity and collaboration with AI in the AWS Community.

With over 400 active groups around the world, these dynamic peer-to-peer communities are ideal for builders looking to connect, share insights and stay in the loop with the latest AWS services and best practices through regular, interactive meetups. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting your AWS journey, getting involved in your local user group can significantly enrich your learning and networking experience.

This February, there are AWS User Group Meetups in: Cork, Budapest, Hamburg, Alicante, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Bari, Surabaya, Lagos, Abu Dhabi, Belfast, Albany, Elkhorn, Swansea, Athens, Prishtinë, Milwaukee, Sydney (1 and 2), Perth, Stockholm, Rennes, Newbury, Auckland, Helsinki, Oslo, Atlanta, Braunschweig, Roma, Lyon, Houston, Pottstown, Sacramento, Chennai, Vadodara, Lagos, Nairobi, Guayaquil, Wroclaw, Bern, Minneapolis, Portsmouth, Melbourne, Geneva, Brisbane, Milton Keynes, Cleveland, Québec, Delhi, Guatemala, Bangalore, München, Caracas, Perth, Tampere, Columbus, Fishers, Phoenix, Munich, New York, Caracas, Lausanne, Tampa, Chennai, Medan, Ahmedabad, Caracas, Toulouse, Dundee, Basel and Orlando.

If you’re a student or independent learner, get involved with your local AWS Cloud Club this month! These award winning student-led user groups are meeting in February in Nairobi, Edinburgh, Dhaka, Delhi, Jaipur and Chennai - visit the AWS Cloud Clubs Meetup page for a full list.

Additionally, the Cloud Club Captain application process kicks off on February 5th, inviting student leaders to spearhead new clubs. As Captains, they’ll have the opportunity to grow their clubs, host events and engage in local initiatives, all while enjoying perks like AWS swag, credits, certification vouchers and mentorship from the AWS Academic Advocacy team.

If you're looking to skill up or renew your credentials, AWS Training & Certification has some awesome programs that are active this February! Check out the brand new AWS Cloud Quest: Recertify Cloud Practitioner beta - an interactive way for Certified Cloud Practitioners to renew their certification without retesting. Next, if you're a developer eager to start building with generative AI, dive into the tailored Generative AI Learning Plan introducing large language models on AWS. And for certification champions, we've got your back - take any AWS Certification exam by April 15th and score a free retake voucher valid through June 30 in case you need it! With hands-on quests, cutting edge content, and exam retake support, Training & Certification is here to support all builders this month!

Want to finally demystify the cloud and unlock its potential? Don't miss the free virtual AWSome Day event on February 15th from 12-4pm EST. We're bringing AWS down to earth with essential half-day training for total cloud newcomers - no prior knowledge needed!

Learn how the cloud can save costs, accelerate innovation, and scale limitlessly as our skilled in-house instructors walk through core concepts. Attend the full event to gain a strong AWS foundation covering all the basics, from storage and databases to IoT and machine learning. Whether you want to grow your business, boost your career or simply satisfy your cloud curiosity, this is your chance!

Tune into the AWS Twitch channel anytime for interactive cloud learning you can stream from anywhere. Explore generative AI, cost optimization, open source, developer tools and more through 60+ annual shows across global timezones.

This February, don't miss The Big Dev Theory and Build On Weekly - or just tune in anytime at twitch.tv/aws with no registration needed. Learn by watching experts code projects live while contributing ideas and requests. Access supplementary show notes and resources on community.aws to boost your learning.

The opportunities don’t stop here! This February, the AWS Community is thriving with diverse events, programs, and ways for enthusiasts to get involved. From generative AI hackathons to global meetups, from Twitch livestreams to skill-building opportunities, there are countless avenues to level up your cloud skills and connect with fellow builders. Remember to share what you’re working on by using #AWSCommunity.

Don’t forget to stay in the loop all month long by following AWS Developers on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter/X for the latest news on AWS and community updates, tailored to you as a builder! Here’s to an awesome February ahead in the AWS Community cinematic universe.

See you online or at an event near you!