The ultimate guide to the AWS re:Invent
So, you’ve finally made your mind up? You’ll be part of re:Invent, the biggest worldwide AWS event which will be held in Las Vegas, from November 27th to December 1st : good for you! Whether it’s your first time or not, it’s always useful to have a checklist to make the most of the event.
Even though it may seem like a long event, the truth is that time there will fly by!
First, let me explain the genesis of our travel:
Last year, AVIV, (the company I work for as a frontend software developer) brought together a small team of colleagues to participate in re:Invent. Fun fact : AVIV is a younger company that gathered leading European brands in the real estate space. Now, we form a new big family, and that’s a bit what our team looked like at the start of our travels! Yann, backend engineer from Seloger, Jean-Christophe, product manager from Immoweb, Dennis, devops, Cemal, head of devops & Micha, software architect from Immowelt, Laura, data engineering manager, David, head of geo data engineering and myself, from Meilleurs Agents, as all new AVIVers going to rock Las Vegas together.
Most of us didn’t know each other when we started, and none of us had ever participated in re:Invent. We didn’t speak the same language, we didn’t come from the same companies and we didn’t do the same job. So we faced some challenges right from the start… Yet, magic happened! Not only did we all have an incredible experience, attended plenty of talks, but we came back together as #oneteam friends.
Long story short:
We might have found a little recipe that works, and it seemed like a good idea to share it (because a year ago, we looked on the internet for good advice to organize our trip, just like you).
Our four main topics :
1. Travel & accommodation
2. AWS, the event
3. Fun & Tourism
4. People
1. Travel & accommodations :
We will start with the most urgen…
Take a day off before it starts to check out the place
If possible, join the venue two days before the start of re:Invent, this allows you to check in at the hotel with peace of mind, and to have a full day to get your bearings and prepare for the week, including :
Keep some time off to visit the city
There are a few must-sees in Las Vegas, and don’t count too much on the downtime between talks to do them, nor in your evenings which will also be busy. A first day there allows you to visit, and spot from afar, the hotels hosting the conferences, which you will have plenty of time to see afterwards. So say hello to them from afar, and save your time for the rest of the city.
Pick up your badge the day before it starts
It worth it for two reasons :
A/ There are fewer people the day before, so you’ll waste less time waiting in line.
B/ You’ll save yourself a significant amount of stress for the first day of the event.
Plan some extra room in your luggage
This one was a really good tip that I was given: you will receive an unimaginable quantity of goodies (despite yourself). So to avoid having to wear 1 week of clothes on you on the return plane, plan some space for goodies right away.
Take some painkillers
Carry everything that can save your life, or at least your day! (anti-migraine, throat lozenges, eye drops) As if you were going into the desert. Oh well, actually…
Pick your hotel to not be too far away from attending places
You will spend a considerable amount of time commuting from point A to point B. Whether walking, taxi or shuttle, take this into consideration, it feels good, especially at the end of the day, to be able to return easily into your cosy bed.
You’ll walk a lot, pick your shoes wisely and take a light backpack to carry your daily stuff
There’s really no point in taking out your fancy clothes even if we’re thinking of palaces and casinos. The idea is to survive a week of alternating time between walking in a crowd, or sitting still. And believe me, it is a sport! Comfortable and practical clothes, sneakers, t-shirts, a sweatshirt for when it’s cold, a backpack (but no need to bring a water bottle, you will find one quickly — for free).
2. AWS, the event
Schedule is key !
Start with picking the talks you want to attend and add them to your personal agenda (there are several instances of each. Try to gather talks in the same place as much as possible, distances become painfull across a few days). You’ll also attend labs, workshops - for those: take your laptop. But honestly, for other talks, just don’t take it, it will be useless (and heavy).
Download the mobile app
…And charge your phone to 100% everyday, you’ll need it all day long. Take your charger in the backpack or an external battery, you will find sockets everywhere. So then there’s no need to save your battery, you can take photos as much as you want :-).
Do not miss keynotes and be early to attend them
Honestly, these are pretty incredible moments to experience. First of all, if you arrive early you will be well seated, and you will enjoy the concert which precedes the talk. I advise you participate in as many keynotes as possible, even if you like a topic less. It is the speaker who makes the difference. My preference was the one of CTO Werner Vogels, I watched the replay twice from home after the event. This guy is really something !
About keynotes: if you’re not super comfortable with English, you can grab a translation headphone when entering the room.
Visit (several times) the Partners Village
It’s fun and interesting : you’ll meet 1:1 with people working from companies you’re probably using the services/tools of (or want to). It’s a perfect time to ask technical or commercial questions and have a valuable conversation. That’s also the place you’ll get all the goodies.
Food won’t be an issue, you’ll get more than you can dream of !
There will be food and drink everywhere and all the time. Don’t bother with takeaway food, and don’t waste time looking for somewhere to eat outside. The buffets are good and generous, it’s very well organized, no waiting time and you can take a lunchbox if you are in a hurry. AND the menu changes every day (vegetarian, kosher options, etc).
But if you really want to eat an American-style burger or pizza… the city is fast food heaven for your late evenings.
Are you lost? No, you’re not.
There are hundreds of volunteers who know the hotels by heart to show you the way, they are very recognizable, and installed at strategic points. Go see them, it gives them sincere pleasure to repeat for the 1000th time where BALLROOM C is, even if it is right behind you… There are maps, signs, screens, and even old-fashioned arrows everywhere too. We tried to get lost for fun, we NEVER got there.
3. Fun & Tourism
Our very special bullet-list of stuff you don’t want to miss :
- The Bellagio fountain runs a light show several times during the evening, it’s very pretty!
- The Golden Nugget, aka the oldest casino in the city, for a jazz evening and an old fashioned cocktail.
- Wedding chapel: what can sound more like Vegas than being married by Elvis? On the other hand, for your information, if you are going to get married for a laugh, don’t forget… you will indeed be married (legally, and officially, in several states of America).
- Fremont Street, in old Vegas, and its psychedelic LED ceiling.
- The famous Big Roller Coaster at the New York Hotel.
- The second floor of the Venetian Hotel, with its indoor reproduction of Venice and its canals (yes, there are gondolas on the water, and you can even ride them).
- Residencies shows of artists like Ru Paul or… Céline Dion. (it might be too late for the tickets there though).
- There’ll be corporate events organised, try to get invitations (that’s how we played golf on a rooftop at the MGM hotel).
- AWS organises a race - if you’re a runner, take your running shoes.
- You’ll be in Vegas, try just a little bit of gambling!
4.People
Pick your travel friends wisely ;-)
For this advice, we played it “do as I say, not as I do”, but guilty in charge, I have great colleagues (are you looking for work? We’re hiring!). No kidding, it’s all about planning, talking about organisation with your travel mates before your departure can help a lot.
Network!
You’ll have 1000 opportunities to meet people, go ahead, go say hi, sit with strangers at lunchtime, don’t be shy if you need some info/help. My biggest laugh was in the shuttle that took us back after the evening party, it felt like a school bus, with people singing and shouting jokes at the assembly, those moments are precious. The volunteers, employees, partners as well as the locals are very welcoming and friendly, don’t miss an opportunity to chat.
I think that with all of this, you are ready to succeed in your journey and experience an incredible re:Invent. We wish you make the most of it. As we mentioned previously, it goes by very quickly but it’s an experience you won’t forget!
And let’s share your personal best tips to the tech world when you’re back :-).
