Some tips for re:Invent 2023 (that I wish I had known in previous years!)
AWS re:Invent is just around the corner! With an expected attendance of 50,000 participants, this year’s conference promises to infuse the city with a wave of innovation, fresh ideas, and a vibrant sense of community. As you prepare to embark on this exciting journey, we’ve put together a curated list of recommendations to enhance your experience and ensure you extract maximum value from this extraordinary event. So, as you pack for this grand adventure, let our tips guide you in making the most of every moment at AWS re:Invent!
Failing to plan is planning to fail
With such a wide variety of sessions, it’s understandable to want to go to everything. However, it’s crucial to review the session catalog beforehand. I’d recommend listing all the sessions you definitely don’t want to miss, and then listing “nice-to-haves”. Once you have your list of musts, try to find reserved seating for those. If you can’t find reserved seating, you can join the queue outside the session – you’ll usually be able to get in.
Also, with 6 venues across the Las Vegas Strip, planning is essential. My first time around, I thought that hotels were close by, and that I could just “cross the street” between sessions. Big. Mistake. The venues are huge, and some talks can be in different areas of the same hotel. My recommendation here would be to try and choose one hotel for the day, or at least one hotel for the morning, one for the afternoon.
Now – how to choose? It’s important to keep in mind that all sessions have “levels”: from 100 to 400. 100-level sessions are usually basic, high level overviews – a great opportunity to learn about something new. 300 and 400 sessions require that you have some previous experience on the subject matter, but in my experience they have been the most thought-provoking. They’re also the sessions where you will find people with similar interests.
There are different types of sessions: Technical Sessions, Hands-on workshops, Chalk-talks, builders sessions and keynotes addresses. I’ve found that Chalk talks are usually engaging and lead to a lot of interaction between speakers and the audience. The keynotes are usually fun, and they usually announce new services. Werner Vogel’s keynote is usually my favorite – and last year’s Matrix analogy didn’t disappoint!
Something I learned last year – remember that new sessions will pop up, even during the conference. It’s important to review your plans each night – and keep a flexible attitude 🙂 The AWS Events app is a great tool – make it your best friend. If you’re in a venue, and you couldn’t go into a session you were looking forward to, you can easily find sessions close to you simply filtering by venue / interests / day.
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing
One of the mistakes I made last time was to plan for a jam-packed schedule. With such an amazing variety of sessions, I simply couldn’t pick a few. The first day, I went to three sessions in the morning, four sessions in the afternoon – and by 8 pm, I was exhausted. I realized that there is a limit to how many sessions you can pay attention to in a day. My rule of thumb would be to try to plan four or five talks per day – and try to enjoy the conference. For instance, go to the expo to check out the amazing booths, or grab lunch at the big dining rooms instead of grabbing a packed lunch. Recharging is crucial to make the best of the sessions, engage in Q&A, and join the night events, which are always fun!
Befriend the shuttle
I love to walk outside; I find it clears my mind and improves my mood. However, I’ve found that you do a ton of walking inside the venues, so it’s a good idea to use the shuttle as much as possible. The shuttle is a conference service that connects each venue to the rest. It has the advantage that it drops you off at the closest door to the conference. If you opt to walk around Las Vegas, you might find yourself walking ’ longer than necessary. I’ve chosen to do it on occasion – but it can be a waste of time.
Also, you don’t need to be staying at a conference hotel to use the shuttle early in the morning. With your attendee badge, you can join the shuttle at the closest stop.
Speakers love feedback and questions
Don’t be afraid to reach out to the speakers at the end – even if it’s just to congratulate them. In my first re:Invent, I was hesitant to stay back and talk with the speakers. However, on my second conference, I made a point of sticking around, reaching out to the speakers, asking follow up questions. It was great fun, I met amazing people and built a great network in the process.
Along this same line – ask questions at the sessions – you can start great discussions, and it’s a way to show speakers that you enjoyed the session and were actually listening. It’s terrible to finish speaking, ask if somebody has a question, only to hear silence. Speakers probably wonder if anyone enjoyed the talk, or if it sparked new ideas in their audience. Asking questions is a way to delve deeper into topics you want to learn more about.
Lunch tables, queues and the shuttle
What do these have in common? Opportunities to meet new people! Networking is a significant aspect of re:Invent, and you never know where you might find your next collaborator, mentor, or friend. Don’t hesitate to strike up conversations with fellow attendees, whether you’re waiting in line for a session, riding the shuttle, or having lunch. These impromptu interactions can lead to valuable insights, shared experiences, and even potential partnerships. Seize every opportunity to connect!
Go into conference mode – Mute your notifications, charge your devices – and mute your phone during sessions.
One of the keys to fully immersing yourself in re:Invent is to mute your notifications and silence your phone during sessions. The sheer volume of information and networking opportunities can be overwhelming, and constant digital interruptions might hinder your ability to focus. By muting notifications, you can ensure that you’re fully present in the moment, absorbing the valuable insights and making meaningful connections. Also, you don’t want to be that person that interrupts speakers with a phone call, do you?
Another thing to consider: hotels are usually short on power outlets! Remember to charge your devices overnight, or you’ll find yourself walking up and down aisles, and sitting on the floor next to the only outlet you can find. On the other hand – it is a great conversation starter!
An unexpected essential: chap stick
Las Vegas, the host city for re:Invent, is known for its dry climate. Combine that with spending long hours indoors in air-conditioned environments, and you’ll quickly understand the importance of keeping your lips moisturized. Pack plenty of chapstick to ensure that you’re comfortable throughout the event. Small details like this can make a significant difference in your overall experience.
The best adventures are usually beyond your comfort zone
While it’s natural to attend sessions directly related to your expertise, don’t shy away from exploring talks outside your comfort zone. re:Invent offers a rich variety of sessions covering a broad spectrum of topics. If you’re an absolute rookie in a particular subject, 100-level talks are perfect for you. Venture into areas that might be unfamiliar but intriguing. You’ll not only broaden your knowledge but also gain fresh perspectives that could inspire innovative solutions in your own work.
Re:Invent is an unparalleled experience, intertwining learning, networking, and sheer enjoyment. Reflecting on the inaugural night of re:Invent 2022, I found myself gathered with a friend, furiously scribbling down notes—our minds brimming with newfound knowledge to the point where our handwritten scrawls bordered on illegible, a testament to the wealth of insights gained. Little did I anticipate the exhilarating slide down a DataDog slide, the impromptu camp set up on the Venetian floor — a vivid illustration of the unexpected and delightful nature that defines the essence of re:Invent.
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