Unpacking My AWS re:Invent 2024
I decided to write this blog post as a way to memorialize my trip to AWS re:Invent 2024 in Las Vegas. I also hope it serves as a helpful guide for anyone planning to attend re:Invent for the first time in the coming years.
AWS re:Invent was an unbelievable experience. It’s not just the biggest AWS event but arguably one of the largest technology events in the world.
The conference is gigantic in scale: over 60,000 attendees in Las Vegas, more than 1,900 sessions, and 3,500 speakers. Just looking at these numbers proves how massive the conference is, and it underscores the importance of being well-prepared. You can’t just show up and expect to stumble upon great opportunities. If you want to make the most of it, preparation is key—and this blog post is here to help!
AWS re:Invent Registration
AWS re:Invent usually takes place during the first week of December every year. In 2024, the event was held from December 2nd to 6th. Registration typically opens in early summer (August in 2024). To ensure you don’t miss out, the best approach is to subscribe to the official AWS re:Invent event page: reinvent.awsevents.com.
But why is it so important to register as early as possible? Probably, you’ll find the answer to this question by the end of this story!
Accommodation
The conference is hosted across six hotels—yes, you heard that right, six hotels! A conference with more than 60,000 attendees requires an enormous venue setup. AWS has partnerships with hotels in Las Vegas, allowing you to book accommodation through the AWS registration system. These partnerships often result in reduced prices.
Before diving deeper into why early registration is crucial, let’s take a quick look at the conference layout.
If you open Google Maps, you’ll notice how the hotels are distributed across Las Vegas. Choosing a well-located hotel is essential for minimizing travel time between sessions and making the most of your re:Invent experience.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
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Casino Detours: To reach the conference halls within each hotel, you’ll need to pass through the casinos. This can take a surprising amount of time, so even if two hotels look close on the map, exiting one and arriving at the other might take longer than expected.
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Backdoor Shortcuts: Some hotels have backdoor entrances and exits, which can save you significant time. It's worth exploring these shortcuts to avoid unnecessary delays.
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AWS Shuttle Buses: AWS organizes shuttle buses between hotels on a scheduled basis. While they connect all the main venues, the heavy traffic on the Las Vegas Strip can slow things down. Don’t count on the shuttles for quick commutes, but they’re still a convenient option for getting around.
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Use the Monorails: The Las Vegas monorails are another great option for getting between hotels. They’re free for re:Invent participants, cover almost all the major venues, and best of all, there’s no traffic when you’re gliding through the sky!
Now that we have a list of hotels close to most sessions, it’s clear why early planning matters. These hotels get booked incredibly fast, so I highly recommend registering early for re:Invent and securing your accommodation as soon as possible.
Plan for Sessions
Yes, there are more than 19,000 sessions, and careful planning is essential to make the most of your experience!
First, let’s explore the different session types available at AWS re:Invent. Below is a high-level list of session categories, with brief descriptions:
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Breakout Sessions: Traditional lecture-style presentations covering a variety of AWS topics.
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Chalk Talks: Interactive whiteboard sessions that encourage Q&A and deeper discussions.
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Code Talks: Sessions focused on live coding demonstrations and practical examples.
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Lightning Talks: Short, impactful presentations delivering insights in under 15 minutes.
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Keynotes: High-profile talks showcasing major AWS announcements and innovations.
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Builder’s Sessions: Hands-on workshops where you can build and experiment with AWS technologies.
Here’s a quick overview of how the sessions are distributed:
Having attended all these session types, I can confidently say that Chalk Talks and Code Talks are among the best. There are two main reasons for this: first, these sessions are not recorded, so the only way to benefit is to attend them in person. Second, they are often scenario-based and allow attendees to discuss directly with AWS service specialists or product owners.
When planning your sessions, also consider the session levels. Here’s a rough distribution of session levels:
The session agenda is gradually released leading up to the official registration date. While you can use the AWS re:Invent official page for planning, many experienced attendees recommend some unofficial planning tools that might be more user-friendly and feature-rich, such as reinvent-planner.cloud or reinvent-planner.richardfan.xyz.
Add the sessions you want to attend to your wishlist and always plan for alternatives. As mentioned earlier, the re:Invent venue spans several hotels, so try to schedule sessions within one or two nearby hotels per day. Even if you select all your sessions in the same hotel, you’ll still need time to move between rooms.
Once the session registration portal opens, you can start reserving your seats. However, even with a reserved spot, you must be in the session room at least 10 minutes before the start time. Otherwise, your reserved seat may be released.
There is also a walk-in option for sessions. You can wait outside the room, and if reserved seats are released due to no-shows or cancellations, walk-ins are allowed to take those spots.
In 2024, I booked four to five sessions some days, and by the end of the day, my mind felt overloaded. Choose your sessions wisely based on your interests and topics that can help you professionally. It’s better to prioritize quality over quantity!
Get Your Badge
You can claim your badge a day before the official start of the event. Badges are available for pickup at the Las Vegas airport or the Venetian Hotel.
If you hold an AWS Certification, make sure to link your AWS ID to your re:Invent registration through the portal. This will ensure you receive the "Certified" badge on your access card—a nice way to show off your expertise!
AWS Expo Experience
The AWS Expo at re:Invent is far bigger than the expos at AWS Summits I’ve attended before! It’s impossible to visit all the company exhibitions in one go. The Expo is located at the Venetian Hotel venue and runs every day from 10:00 AM.
It was an incredible experience to talk with various partners, stakeholders, and companies whose products I use daily. I also had the chance to discover new companies and discuss their innovative solutions.
You’ll find plenty of fun activities, along with cool swag and merchandise, so be prepared to fill your backpack to the brim!
Keynotes
AWS keynotes are flagship presentations at AWS events where top executives share strategic updates, technological innovations, and insights to empower businesses and developers.
I attended several keynotes, but two stood out in particular. AWS new CEO Matt Garman shared groundbreaking updates in AI solutions. One highlight was when he said, "Generative AI has the potential to disrupt every single industry, and with AWS, we are delivering the building blocks to help you innovate, scale, and lead that disruption." His keynote emphasized how AWS is committed to equipping organizations with the tools needed to stay ahead in the AI revolution.
Another keynote by Dr. Werner Vogels focused on the philosophy of balancing simplicity and complexity. He stated, "Simplicity is not accidental," and presented strategies for building scalable, robust, and future-ready systems. His insights were both thought-provoking and inspiring.
All keynote sessions are streamed live and made available later on AWS's YouTube channel. However, I personally love the energy and atmosphere of watching my favorite talks live in person—it’s an experience you just can’t replicate online!
That said, keep in mind that the seats closest to the stage are typically reserved for AWS Partners or AWS Heroes. So, don’t expect to snag a VIP spot unless you’ve got those credentials. But hey, the view and vibe are great from just about anywhere in the room!
Socialize and Networking
AWS re:Invent is not only about participating in technical workshops and discussions. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to expand your network with people who work in the same field or in other areas that might interest you. AWS and other vendors participating at re:Invent host numerous gatherings and happy hours.
You can find a list of parties and events on unofficial websites or by simply searching for your favorite company along with "re:Invent party."
For some events, you need to register in advance to secure your spot, while others don’t require registration. Just remember to add them to your calendar so you don’t miss out!
Builder Cards
Another interesting highlight for me was visiting David Heidt designer of AWS Builder Crads at re:Invent. As you may already know, I love board games, and last year, I had the chance to play the first edition of AWS Builder Cards. At re:Invent, David Heidt had a table showcasing the latest version of Builder Cards along with new expansions. I was lucky enough to get my own set with a special designer card signed!
re:Play
As I mentioned earlier, AWS and other companies host various parties and happy hours, but the grand closing party is AWS’s re:Play. This huge outdoor event features different zones with a variety of activities, including food, drinks, and two big concerts. It’s the perfect way to unwind and celebrate the end of the conference!
Out of the Event
Since this was my first time in Las Vegas, I made sure to explore some of its famous attractions! Thanks to my colleague, who has experience with both re:Invent and Las Vegas, I had the chance to take a tour around the city.
I visited the iconic Las Vegas sign and then drove out of the city to see one of the most famous dams in the world—the Hoover Dam. It’s not just an engineering marvel but also an architectural masterpiece.
We also took a scenic drive around ColoradoRiver in the desert, enjoying stunning views of the river and desert.
After re:Invent
Although re:Invent ended, the experience and knowledge I gained will stay with me. I’ve already started writing blog posts based on the technical discussions I attended during Chalk Talks and Code Talk sessions.
Additionally, I plan to watch recorded sessions that AWS has shared on their official YouTube channel to continue learning and growing professionally. Also , you can find most of the AWS re:Invent conference session materials here.