Hey everyone! I'm heading to AWS re:Invent in Las Vegas this year, courtesy of my company, and I couldn't be more excited. However, since this is my first time attending, I'm feeling a bit lost. I'm from Argentina and I don't know anyone on my team going (most of them are from different countries and I've never met them). I've heard this is a fantastic opportunity for networking, which is crucial for me as I'm starting my own consulting company. The problem is, I'm not really great at starting conversations or making small talk 😅.
I've got the basics covered like wearing comfy shoes, staying hydrated, and knowing the agenda well. But I'd love to get more insights on how to make the most out of this event, such as tips for effective networking, suggestions on side events or after parties to hit, and strategies to make booth conversations more valuable than just snagging swag. Also, I've booked my hotel until Friday morning—are there any events that I shouldn't miss on that day? Looking forward to your advice!
3 Answers
Definitely go through the event agenda as soon as you can. Target the talks you want to attend early, because some of them fill up quickly. It’s best to have a plan!
Joining the re:Invent Slack channel is a great way to connect with other attendees and find out about parties and networking opportunities. You can meet people virtually and set up plans to meet in person. Here's the link: [join.slack.com](https://join.slack.com/t/awsreinvent2024/shared_invite/zt-3dvoi4cd2-PVymRSR2HBnctArz7GEncQ).
This is my fourth re:Invent! You already have a solid plan. Just remember to:
1. Try to get invites to company-hosted parties; sometimes they'll let you in even without a ticket if you tag along with someone.
2. Don’t hesitate to approach presenters after their sessions—they love connecting! No question is too trivial.
3. Make sure to check out the replay party; it’s a blast and a great way to meet people too!
Oh, and don’t forget Friday is swag pickup day—definitely don’t miss out on that!