Google Cloud Next 2024: new location, new guide
I had the opportunity to travel to San Francisco many times for Google I/O or Google Cloud Next. This year, Google Cloud Next will take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, offering a fresh location and exciting new discoveries.
Want to join me at Google Cloud Next ‘24? Use my affiliate link as a Champion Innovator to register for only $799 with the code NEXT799INN valid through March 22 or until sold out
Google Cloud announced it with the use of the Sphere in Las Vegas displaying a “gcloud sphere unlock” command. 🎁 Fun fact: this command was not just a visual element, but it actually functioned and provided attendees with a temporary 50% discount voucher for Google Cloud Next.
To be fully prepared and enjoy this 3-days event (April 9–11), I’ve created this quick guide sharing my tips as an attendee — like I did in 2023 👇
I’m thrilled to return and connect with the cloud community once again.
Before the event
- 📣 Reminder: You must have book your flight, your hotel/airbnb and check your visa/esta.
📤 You will receive information by email a few days before the event. Mark it as important with the QR Code needed to enter easily into the venue. - 📆 Check the agenda and book your sessions here: https://cloud.withgoogle.com/next/session-library.
- 💬 Feel free to check the available FAQ: there is many items from inclusion to safety measures.
- 📌 Check if your Google Developer Profile like https://g.dev/jlandure is well linked to your Cloud Next profile. If not, please see how to do it following the FAQ entry to be sure you get the right badge.
- 🏅 Do not forget to update your Next profile here and indicate if you are a Google Cloud certified, a Champion / Innovator or a Cloud GDE. In 2023, Champions received access to a dedicated space for coffee and exclusive content.
You have to enter your CertMetrics candidate ID starting with “GGLE”. Note : you can find the ID at the top right of this page.
- ⚡️ ProTips: Don’t wait for the last day to book your session. Some of them are already booked. Before each session, it may have 2 lines : one line for pre-booked persons and one line for the others. You may enter if someone who booked the session doesn’t show up. AVAILABLE since March 14th.
- ⚡ ️ProTips: Check for the top speakers you want to follow and then apply for their sessions.
- ⚡️ ProTips: Feel free to filter for the most top-advanced talks at Cloud Next — there is 57 results marked as “Advanced Technical”
During the event
- 👕 Dress as usual as you can. You will walk a lot so you may wear comfortable shoes.
- ⚡️ ProTips: If you are part of a GDG / GDE / WTM / GDSC initiative, wear a T-shirt of your community to recognize yourself as a community member in order to engage in a conversation.
- 💧 No need to bring your own refillable water bottle. Google used to give one bottle to each attendee when you take your badge.
- 🎁 Feel free to ask questions at the sponsor booth. Try to grab some swag to bring back home.
- 📝 Create a note by session to write down the impactful message of the speaker.
- 🛜 Feel free to sum up ideas on your favorite social media channel to grow your personal branding. Do not forget to mention the speaker(s).
- 🍻 Don’t forget to enjoy the after events or even side events organized by others companies. It is a great way to enjoy new places in Las Vegas and network.
- 🤯 More than 400 breakout sessions are scheduled at Cloud Next. Choose wisely your sessions and remember that all sessions are recorded so you might find useful information later like this blogspot about 161 important announcements at Next 23.
- ⚡️ ProTips: Keep time to rest to energize your body.
If you are an introvert, it is very important because you will stay near hundreds of people around you.
If you are not a native english speaker, speaking to others will take you some energy.
- ⚡️ ProTips: Take advantage of quiet time to charge your mobile. 🔋
Around the event
- 🎙️ You should create some content to share what you learn at Google Cloud Next: it could be article, podcast, videos (shorts!) or even talks. Several “Next Recap” events will be done by the community or by partners: you should submit a proposal.
- 🌆Las Vegas is quite a big city. You have to make sure you are in a safe place. I used to get my hotel at a maximum of 10 min walk from the venue in the city center. Doing so avoids me having to order an Uber each time I want to travel.
- 🍸 Remember to check the partner parties around the conference with this great website : many parties were listed in 2023
The official Google-organized Next Party will be held on Wednesday, April 10th. The question remains: which big names will perform at the concert? - ⚡️ ProTips: Check if your mobile provider works in the USA and add an offline area of Las Vegas in Google Maps. 📲
Bonus: My tourist spots
My Las Vegas Wishlist around Google Cloud Next:
- 🥾 Enjoy a night walk along the Las Vegas Strip to see the iconic casinos: the Bellagio fountains, the canals of the Venetian…
- 🌐 Visit “The Sphere” show during Next. Expect a immersive experience. Tickets are around $130
- 🚁 Organize a “Grand Canyon” Tour by helicopter or by car (~5h)
- ✌️Walk to the “Welcome to the Fabulous Las Vegas” sign
- 📸 Rent a car and explore the stunning landscapes of Red Rock Canyon or Death Valley
Check out this website to find more information on Las Vegas : https://www.visitlasvegas.com/
Conclusion
👋 I’ll be attending Next! Feel free to connect with me on my social media channels. I’m always happy to chat about technology, the Google Cloud community, and Google Cloud itself. See you there! ☁️
Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity. Register today! Use my affiliate link as a Champion Innovator to register for only $799 with the code NEXT799INN valid through March 22 or until sold out
