This will be my seventh year attending—eighth, if you count the weirdness of the COVID year. Throughout the event, I’ll be sharing recaps of what I’ve seen, the announcements that caught my attention, and what they mean for the industry and, most importantly, for my customers.
For first-time attendees, AWS re:Invent can feel a bit overwhelming. Over the years, I’ve learned a few tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the event, and I’m happy to share them here.
🖊️ Registration
AWS has really nailed the registration and badge pickup process in recent years. If you’re flying in, you can often pick up your badge while waiting for your luggage at the airport. If you’re in a hurry to get out of the airport, there are also badge pickup locations at most of the event venues.
|
Location
|
Sunday
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
|
Wednesday
|
Thursday
|
|
LAS Airport
|
7AM - Midnight
|
7AM - Midnight
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
Closed
|
|
The Venetian
|
10AM - 8PM
|
6:30AM - 9PM
|
6:30AM - 8PM
|
6:30AM - 8PM
|
6:30AM - 8PM
|
|
MGM
|
10AM - 8PM
|
6:30AM - 9PM
|
6:30AM - 8PM
|
6:30AM - 8PM
|
6:30AM - 8PM
|
|
Mandalay Bay
|
10AM - 8PM
|
6:30AM - 9PM
|
6:30AM - 8PM
|
6:30AM - 8PM
|
6:30AM - 8PM
|
🎁 AWS Official SWAG
AWS typically includes a few merchandise items with your registration—usually a hoodie, water bottle, shirt, and pins. You can pick these up at the SWAG desk behind badge pickup at The Venetian during the same hours as badge pickup. Pro tip: Try on the hoodies for size before getting in line, and grab your SWAG early to avoid missing out on popular sizes.
📆 Session Planning
If you haven’t done so yet, reserve your sessions through the re:Invent app or the attendee portal. Reserved seats get priority access, so if there’s a session you’re particularly interested in, it’s worth signing up. Plan to arrive 15–30 minutes early to ensure a smooth entry.
If you can’t make it or have two sessions scheduled at the same time, don’t worry—all sessions are recorded and available online during the event and afterward.
🗃️ Networking
For me, the best part of re:Invent is meeting with customers, reconnecting with peers, and building new relationships. There’s no shortage of opportunities—some obvious, some a bit more subtle. Here’s what I recommend:
Partner & Vendor Events
Reach out to your vendors and partners before the event to see what they’re planning. Many host dinners, happy hours, and meetups that are excellent for networking.
📢 Bespin Global is hosting daily events at re:Invent. Register here to join us for a hand of blackjack. I’d love to chat and—who knows—maybe you’ll win a little extra Vegas spending money (at my expense, of course).
Bootcamps & GameDays
Bootcamps and GameDays are fantastic for diving deep into AWS solutions and collaborating with peers. I’ve made great connections and lifelong friends through these team events, and they’re a blast to participate in.
AWS Certified Lounge
If you hold an AWS certification, link it to your re:Invent pass to access the AWS Certified Lounge. It’s a quieter space with snacks, SWAG, and plenty of opportunities for casual networking. Sit down, open your laptop, and strike up a conversation—your next customer or teammate could be sitting right there.
AWS Sports Forum
Returning this year is the AWS Sports Forum at Caesars, where you can test your skills in various sports-themed challenges. It’s always a hilarious sight to see a bunch of cloud nerds pretending to be athletes—don’t miss it!
🍽️ Meals
re:Invent passes include access to the meal halls, where you’ll find quick options served in large expo halls. Take advantage of the opportunity to sit at a table with strangers—it’s a great way to meet people and expand your network. You’d be surprised how often you find shared connections or similar challenges (Looking at you, Control Tower).
Other Tips
- Getting Around: Vegas is massive. Hotels are massive. The distance between them? Also massive. Comfortable shoes, snacks, and plenty of water are a must. Don’t underestimate how long it takes to get from point A to point B.
- Exchanging Information: Business cards still have their place here, but I’ve found Apple’s NameDrop feature and the Linkedin QR code are even faster and easier.
In Summary
AWS re:Invent is my favorite professional event of the year. It’s the perfect chance to stay up-to-date with AWS announcements, dive deeper into services, meet with service teams, and reconnect with peers. I hope you all have a relaxing holiday break—and if you see me at re:Invent, don’t hesitate to say hello. I’d love to chat!
