My top tips for those attending re:Invent for the first time

In 2024 I was extremely lucky to attend re:Invent as part of the AWS All Builders Welcome grants program. This program is designed to provide funding for early careers individuals from underrepresented communities to attend re:Invent. It is an amazing program and I would strongly encourage anyone who is eligible to attend. For me, getting the opportunity to attend re:Invent was an absolute dream come true, although it didn't come without its own set of challenges. Below are some of my top tips for those attending AWS for the first time.

If AWS events are known for one thing, it is swag. And lots of it. Having previously been to AWS summits I knew there would be some on offer, however I had no idea just how much there would be. My top tip would therefore be to leave half your suitcase empty as you are going to need the space for the swag. I know some people who even had to buy a second suitcase to take home all of the swag they collected.

Some people like to be more spontaneous with what they do. Unfortunately re:Invent is not the best place for that. Sessions book out early (soon after they are published) and seats are limited. Whilst it is possible to get into a session by walking up, it is often difficult to do so as queues are long and often form at least 30mins before the session starts. Many people miss out (as I did at least on one or two occasions). Booking in advance will save you headaches as you will know exactly what you are doing and you will not have to contend with the queues and the possibility of maybe missing out on a session you really want to attend.

In terms of social events in the evenings, I would also recommend that you book early and for as many of them as you can. You will get a lot of rejection, as most will book out, but applying early increases the likelihood of getting an invite.

Following on from tip 2, organising your day in advance will reduce a lot of the stress of re:Invent. The conference itself is absolutely overwhelming. The sheer number of sessions and events that are running at any one moment is enough to make your head spin. Organising your sessions in advance means you will not have to worry about what it is you have to do or where you have to be. You can can simply use the AWS events app to keep your schedule so you can enjoy a coffee whilst you watch others stress over what they should go to next.

One of the biggest surprises for any new attendee is just how spread out the conference is. It is absolutely massive in scale, with sessions being held across 5 hotels along the Las Vegas strip (a length of 4.2 miles or 6.8 km). Getting from one hotel to the next is a journey in and of itself; you have to walk through the hotel to the bus shuttle, take the bus, get off at your location and find the room for your next session. This whole process can take upwards of an hour (or even longer) which is both tiring and stressful. Therefore I would strongly recommend that you limit your sessions for the day to 1-2 locations. If you do decide to do 2 locations, limit your travel time so you are not going back and forth (for example, do morning sessions in the venetian and afternoon ones in the MGM).

As a first time attendee I put a lot of pressure on my myself to try and do everything, but the fact of the matter is you simply can't. There is just too much to see and do so you so you have to prioritize your time. Make a schedule, of course, but ensure that you are flexible and listen to what your body needs. Build in time for rest and relaxation and be comfortable with saying 'no' to invites if you need time to recharge. Trying to do everything is just going to lead to burnout and disappointment. Besides, many of the sessions are recorded so you can watch them later on if you want to.

It may be cliche but best thing about re:Invent is the people. I have never been in the presence of so many inspiring individuals, each brimming with knowledge and wisdom to share. Truly the highlight for me, was meeting people and forming relationships with others. If there is one thing I implore you to do it is to strike up a conversation with another person. You don't even need to talk tech. Having a genuine human connection is truly something special—honestly, in my opinion, nothing else compares.