As a long-time AWS enthusiast, attending re:Invent has always been a personal goal. This year, I’m beyond excited to not only attend but also have the honor of presenting at this prestigious event. Out of over 400 submissions, only 17 were selected for on-site presentations, and I’m incredibly proud that my talk is among them. I invite you to join me on December 4 Wednesday at 3 PM in Theater 4 (Developer Pavilion) at The Venetian, where I’ll be presenting “Mastering AWS Costs with Amazon Q Developer”. It’s an opportunity to share insights that I hope will help you optimize your AWS experience.
For those of you attending re:Invent for the first time, as I am, navigating a conference of this scale can be overwhelming. After extensive research and valuable advice from experienced Community Builders like Pubudu Jayawardana and Niklas Westerstråhle, I’ve put together this guide to help fellow attendees make the most of their re:Invent experience.
✍ Registration
It all starts with registering for the conference. The earlier you do it, the more options you have. Registration typically opens around June, giving you ample time to book airfare and accommodations. One tip I learned the hard way: exhibitors at the expo may scan your badge, which can lead to a flood of newsletters. To avoid this, I recommend registering with a dedicated email or tagging your re:Invent emails. For example, if you use Google, registering with something like “misi+reinvent2024@roadtoaws.com” will apply a “reinvent2024” tag to all relevant messages.
📅 Stay
Before booking your flight and accommodation, decide how long you plan to stay. Although re:Invent spans the entire week, most major sessions happen between Tuesday and Thursday, with Friday primarily reserved for repeats. If you stay until Friday, you may have better luck getting into reserved sessions as many attendees head home. However, if your schedule is tight, a two- to three-day stay will cover the key events and announcements.
✈️ Flights
After registration, you may find discounted airfare. This year, AWS is partnering with Delta Airlines for exclusive discounts, but I’ve found using flight comparison tools like Momondo offers the best deals. Having tracked flights from Budapest to Las Vegas since June, I noticed prices stay stable through September, with a noticeable increase in October. Be mindful of time differences—Budapest is nine hours ahead of Las Vegas, so jet lag can be intense. Avoid booking any sessions immediately after landing, as adjusting to the time zone takes a while.
🛌 Accommodation
AWS partners with several hotels near the conference venues offering discounts, though note that these bookings often don’t allow free cancellations. If flexibility is important, booking through platforms like Booking.com or Expedia can provide more options, including free cancellation periods.
The Venetian serves as the conference’s hub, hosting key events and the expo, while the nearby Wynn and Encore hotels are also popular options ($269 and $279 per night, respectively). For a more affordable alternative, I recommend Treasure Island, which is only half the price ($133/night) and located conveniently close to The Venetian. Keep in mind that navigating from one hotel to another can take longer than expected due to the sheer size of the event and the Strip—be prepared for a lot of walking!
🌤️ Weather
Las Vegas in December has a daily temperature range from 4°C (39°F) to 15°C (58°F). Mornings and evenings can be cold, sometimes dropping to freezing, while afternoons are relatively mild. As Las Vegas is a desert city, staying hydrated is essential. Bring plenty of water and comfortable layers.
🚈 Local Transport
Getting from the airport to your hotel or the event can be done by bus, carpool, or taxi. If you’re staying near the south end of the Strip, ridesharing services are often the cheapest and quickest option, though traffic can sometimes be a problem. Taxis from the airport have a fixed rate to the Strip, and be prepared to pay a $3 surcharge if paying by card. Lines for rideshares like Uber or Lyft can also be long, so sometimes taxis are faster. Budget-conscious attendees can opt for buses, but note that routes can change—such as the CX bus now stopping at Flamingo rather than New York New York.
Re:Invent spans multiple venues along the Strip, so travel time between sessions can add up. re:Invent shuttle buses run frequently, but they can be delayed by traffic. For faster options, consider using the Las Vegas Monorail, which connects key venues, including Harrah’s, The LINQ, MGM Grand, and the SAHARA (re:Play party). For sessions at Mandalay Bay, the free tram from Excalibur is a convenient option.
🍽️ Food at re:Invent
Complimentary breakfast is served daily from Monday to Friday between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM, with Friday’s breakfast located at Caesars Forum and The Venetian. Free lunch is available from Monday to Thursday between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Based on my experience at the Stockholm Summit, I recommend grabbing lunch early, as food can run out if attendees take extra portions. If you want to dine well, heading to a restaurant or one of the partner-organized events is a better option.
🎪 Expo
The Expo Hall opens Monday afternoon and runs through Thursday, offering opportunities to network with partners and pick up some swag. If you want to avoid the crowds, try going in the early mornings. The Expo is also where you’ll find Lightning talks, which offer quick 20-minute presentations on customer stories and product demos.
🎤 Sessions
Organizing your session schedule is critical, especially if you’re trying to make the most of the week. For this task, I recommend my fellow speaker, Raphael Manke’s Unofficial AWS re:Invent Session Planner 2024. Reserved seating opens on October 8, and you’ll need to act fast. Here’s a quick breakdown of the session types:
- Keynote: Major announcements happen here, but it’s challenging to secure a good seat. Many veterans leave 15 minutes early to avoid the post-event rush.
- Breakout sessions: These are 1-hour, non-interactive presentations that are recorded. While interesting, many attendees skip them to focus on live sessions.
- Builders’ sessions: Hands-on sessions in small groups. These are repeated throughout the week, so staying until Friday can increase your chances of participating.
- Chalk talks: Highly interactive 1-hour discussions that begin with a lecture and conclude with Q&A. These are not recorded, making them popular among experienced attendees.
- Code talks: Technical sessions at level 300 and above, focused on deep coding topics. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions.
- Lightning talks: Short, 20-minute presentations held in the Expo Hall.
- Workshops: Guided, hands-on labs to build solutions. Time constraints often limit how deeply you can explore the topics.
🍎 Health & Safety
With thousands of people attending re:Invent from all over the world, the chances of catching a virus increase. Bring hand sanitizer, consider wearing a mask, and wash your hands regularly to stay healthy during and after the event.
📌 Key Takeaways
- Register with a dedicated or tagged email to manage incoming messages
- Bring hand sanitizer and a mask to reduce the risk of illness
- Avoid scheduling back-to-back sessions at different venues—travel time can be significant
- Pack comfortable shoes; you’ll be doing a lot of walking
- Carry a battery pack as outlets are hard to come by. Wi-Fi can be unreliable, so consider getting a good data plan
- Have cash on hand, as taxis prefer it, and withdrawing from casino ATMs can be expensive
Enjoy your stay at re:Invent and don’t forget to say hello! 👋