Attending AWS re:Invent is an exciting and immersive experience, but with so much happening across multiple venues, sessions, and tracks, it can quickly become overwhelming. With over 50,000 attendees, more than 2,000 sessions, and dozens of content tracks, planning ahead is essential to making the most out of your time there. Over the years, I’ve developed a set of strategies to navigate the event efficiently and get the most out of its countless offerings. Here’s how you can maximize your re:Invent experience.
The Scale of re:Invent
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand the scale of AWS re:Invent. The event spans multiple days, held across several venues, and draws tens of thousands of attendees. It covers everything from Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to DevOps, Cloud Security, Networking, and even Sustainability. Given its size, navigating re:Invent effectively requires a balance between sticking to familiar tracks and exploring adjacent areas that might expand your knowledge.
Book Your Sessions Early and Be Strategic
One of the most critical tips for navigating AWS re:Invent is to book your sessions ahead of time. With so many people in attendance, popular sessions, especially those led by prominent speakers or covering highly specialized topics, fill up quickly. I always prioritize sessions that deepen my understanding of key areas while also leaving room for exploration. But I also ensure that I explore some adjacent topics, like security, to round out my understanding of the cloud ecosystem.
If a session is full and you didn’t manage to book in advance, don’t panic. I’ve found that showing up 40 minutes early to high-demand sessions significantly increases your chances of getting in. In fact, this strategy has worked for me on multiple occasions, especially when I was looking to dive deeper into security and sustainability-related sessions that weren’t available on my schedule.
Logistics
Re:Invent spans several venues, so logistics are crucial to making your experience as smooth as possible. The venues can be spread out, and even with all the learning you’re doing, you don’t want to waste valuable time commuting from one place to another. When planning your travel, consider staying close to the venues where your sessions are held. For example, I made sure to book accommodations near the venues where most of my sessions were happening. This strategic choice allowed me to move seamlessly between sessions and maximize learning time.
One of my key takeaways after attending re:Invent multiple times is to limit yourself to no more than two venues per day. I’ve learned that trying to visit too many locations leads to burnout. Sticking to a couple of venues gives you a chance to go deep into the sessions while keeping your energy levels high.
Choose the Right Session Types for Your Learning Style
AWS re:Invent offers various session formats, and choosing the right one can make a big difference in how much you learn. As someone who’s passionate about practical, hands-on learning, I find that Chalk Talks and workshops align well with my learning style. These sessions focus on best practices and “how-to” advice, and they often provide a more interactive, smaller group experience that allows for deeper engagement.
On the other hand, keynotes and breakout sessions are great for big-picture insights and announcements, but I often prefer them when they align with specific topics I’m interested in, such as sustainability or cloud security. Keynotes give a high-level overview of the state of the industry and can help me align my broader strategic goals with emerging trends.
For those who are into deep technical learning, sessions that dive into specific tools, such as serverless stack or cloud security best practices, are invaluable. These sessions typically fall under Breakouts, Chalk Talks, or Workshops.
Focus on Areas that Align with Your Expertise
AWS re:Invent offers a vast range of tracks, but my approach has always been to focus on areas that match my current projects and learning goals. Over the years, I’ve honed my skills in these areas, and re:Invent has always been an excellent opportunity to learn the latest advancements and refine my strategies.
For instance, I prioritized sessions that aligned with current projects, making it easier to apply new insights right away. I also made sure to attend a few sessions on sustainability, which has become a key area of interest in my work. Staying focused on these tracks allowed me to stay ahead of the curve in my field while also gaining insights that I could apply to my role.
That said, re:Invent also offers a chance to go beyond your comfort zone. Even though my primary focus is serverless and operations, I made time to explore adjacent areas like AI, data, and cloud security, which has a profound impact on the infrastructure I manage. This approach has consistently allowed me to stay ahead of industry trends and expand my skill set.
Don’t Forget the Experts’ Booths
Another invaluable resource at re:Invent are the experts’ booths. These booths are great for asking questions about specific technical challenges you’re facing, particularly if you’re working on complex cloud architectures or operational issues. I’ve found the experts’ booths to be incredibly helpful when I needed quick guidance on advanced topics like optimizing cloud infrastructure or improving security practices. The experts at these booths offer practical advice that can help address real-world challenges, making them a valuable resource for anyone looking to dive deeper into their areas of focus. If you have a specific technical question or want tailored solutions, I highly recommend stopping by.
Take Advantage of Online Streaming and Recordings
Not all sessions need to be attended in person. AWS offers online streams for many sessions, so if you can’t attend a specific session or want to revisit a session later, you can catch up online. I’ve often found this to be helpful when I’ve been torn between attending two high-priority sessions at the same time. Streaming sessions online allows me to catch up at my convenience, which is especially valuable given how much content is available.
A Little Fun
Of course, it wouldn’t be re:Invent without a bit of fun. Whether it’s the 10K run at dawn that proves cloud engineers can indeed exist outside of server rooms, or the Silent Disco where networking-shy developers silently dance under neon lights with noise-canceling headphones—there’s something for everyone. And don’t forget the replay party: a celebration of everything you learned, complete with live music, games, and perhaps a few discussions about Kubernetes over cocktails. Because why not keep the tech talk going, even at a party?
Overall, AWS re:Invent is an opportunity to learn, connect, and grow within the cloud ecosystem. By planning strategically, focusing on areas aligned with your expertise, and staying flexible, you can maximize your experience and walk away with valuable insights to apply to your projects and career.