Back to Vegas

My AWS re:Invent 2025 Game Plan

So, I’ll start this off by saying I’ve only been once before in 2019, and
it was an amazing experience. Here’s my take on what worked for me
last time, and what I’ll be doing differently in 2025.

Oh, and if you don’t know what I’m talking about… it’s AWS re:Invent
2025! I have the privilege of going this year as part of the Versent crew, repping Modern Run — our Managed Services offering!

While re:Invent is not until the start of December 2025, you need to plan early. There are a LOT of sessions — but they fill up super quickly. Being part of Versent Modern Run, my focus in 2025 will be a lot more on AWS cloud operations, but there will be a lot in this post for everyone.

Session Types: An Overview

First and foremost, this is a tech conference, so there is a plethora of sessions. For those of you who are happy with me using a word like plethora. Thanks! It means a lot.

What are these different session types? Deep breath. There are:

• Chalk Talks: I missed these when I went last time, but they are first on my agenda this year. Interactive discussions with an AWS engineer. If you have a problem similar to what the topic is about, this format is a must. These are not recorded.
• Builders’ Sessions: Small groups led by AWS engineers with hands-on learning.
• Code Talks: A little similar to Chalk Talks, but code-focused.
• Workshops: I did a couple of these when I went and enjoyed them.
• Gamified learning, Self-paced training, Interactive training: These could be interesting if they align with your interests, given there will be AWS experts in the sessions to assist.
• Breakout sessions: These are your standard lecture-style sessions. These will be recorded, so you can watch them at your leisure away from re:Invent. Because of that, I generally look at other options. Some sessions will give you a chance for Q&A, and you might get a chance to talk to the presenter, so that may be a good reason to go.
• Bootcamps: A full or half day. Given everything else you’d be missing, I’d only recommend these if you truly need them.
• AWS Certification exam prep: Another I wouldn’t recommend, unless you feel you need it. There are enough options outside re:Invent for this sort of thing.

These sessions are generally only one-hour long, so in my experience you can’t expect to learn a lot — even the 300 and 400-level sessions. The levels indicate the complexity of the topics discussed. Expect to get enough information to whet your appetite and put you on the right path. There’s just not enough time for much else.

My TLDR recommendation: Chalk Talks, Code Talks, Workshops,
Builders’ Sessions.

Also, the Unofficial re:Invent Planner is a god send.

Allow travel time

When planning your sessions, you’ll also need to take into account the distance between venues. The casinos themselves are huge! You need to allow plenty of time to get out of the hotel and onto the street or to the transport hub. If you have to transfer, I’d allow at least an hour. Due to these factors, my recommendation is to try to cluster your sessions within a hotel. Even if you are booked into a session, that is only valid until the start of the session time. If you’re late, you go to the back of the standby queue. Plan carefully.

Don’t forget the Expo

But what if you don’t get into a session, or you have some gaps? The Expo hall! Where do you get swag? The Expo hall! It will be massive and definitely worth a look. The vendors will also have talks and demos of their products. Attendance is often needed to get the best merch. Hopefully, there’ll also be decent espresso coffees.

Keynotes — Worth it?

What about the other experiences? I have been asked a fair bit about the keynotes. These are recorded and broadcast live. Is it worth going? If you’ve been before, maybe not. If this is your first time, then live the experience, baby! Monday Night Live is the only keynote that streams at an Aus/NZ-friendly time, and Pete DeSantis has always been entertaining. This year, we have Dave Brown hosting, so that will be interesting. Pete now joins Werner Vogels on Thursday, a keynote I never miss, even at stupid-o’clock in Aus. If you only go to one keynote, this is the one I recommend!

All the other stuff

There is soooooooo much more. The Sports Forum sounds awesome. The networking events are always worth it and a great place to meet people. re:Play goes off chop (That’s “wild” for non-Aussies)! This is the closing event and the perfect way to let your hair down after a long week. Then, there’s the Hallway Sessions. You go to re:Invent to learn, and sometimes, the best learning is talking to people in the hallway or waiting in line. If that discussion is really giving you value… ditch your session and keep chatting. You may just uncover a diamond.

re:Invent is a week of awesome! So much learning, but so much more than learning. If you’re going as part of a team, you make or strengthen relationships… something I’m really looking forward to with my Versent team. I’m also excited to hang out with Community Builders from other countries.

If you ever get a chance to go, jump on it! re:Invent is much more than a conference, it’s an incredible lifetime experience.