Santa's got his list, and so should you! With just 5 days until re:Invent, it's time to finalise your packing and conference plans. We've got all the tips and tricks to make your re:Invent experience a jolly good time!

AWS re:Invent 2024 is less than a week away, taking place in Las Vegas and online, between 2 and 6 December 2024. For those of you joining us in person here's your countdown checklist!

T-5 Days: Maximising Your Experience:

• Plan time to explore the expo hall, demo areas and register for PeerTalk meetups and mentoring.
• Make sure you're managing your calendar with buffer time to move between venues, and arrive at least 10 minute before the start of your session.
• Have a look at where to add the personal time for exploring any of the side-attractions, as well as keynote queuing time, at least 30 minutes before the start.
• Save time in your agenda for learning, fun, and food, but don't over-schedule yourself!

T-4 Days: Discovering Hidden Gems

• Be open to hearing other perspectives - even if it challenges your current thinking, so sign-up for some of the sessions different to your day job and tech stack, see any newly added registration sessions that still have spaces if you haven't maxed out your schedule.
• Check out LinkedIn and search for reinvent posts from different attendees, leaders and companies to see if you can go off the beaten track and enjoy some of the lesser known events.
• Consider making some time to explore Las Vegas too, the Shelby Heritage Center is one of my favourite places, as well as some of Old Las Vegas museums and locations.
• Register and add to your AWS Events app a list of folks you want to meet, PeerTalk experts are a great place to start with or networking events to attend, for example re:Invent parties.

T-3 Days: Check Your Bookings

• Confirm your registration is complete, upload your badge photo, and verify your AWS Certification.
• Confirm your flight and hotel reservations, double check flight reservations via your travel itinerary and directly with the airline and verify you received an email confirmation for your hotel, and ensure dates align with your flights.
• Check you've submitted any dietary or accessibility requirements to the organizers to ensure a smooth experience.
• Download the AWS Events app, login to test your access and validate your agenda. This will be handy to use, especially the way-finding map to navigate campus, and receive notifications about activities throughout the week and your next sessions.

T-2 Days: Packing Essentials:

• Check the weather forecast and pack accordingly, layers are your friends, so are comfy shoes.
• Bring a notebook for note taking and a portable charger for devices, if you prefer e-notes.
• Start mapping out pages or sections for your sessions to prep for taking notes and takeaways.
• Make sure to bring a portable humidifier if possible or ask your hotel front desk for one, moisturiser and lip balm, Las Vegas gets dry!
• Save space for swag or bring a spare bag to make sure you can pack it all! If you don't, then consider donating the swag you don't need during the event to nonprofit organisations that serve local communities.
• Don't forget your IDs, passports, visas or medicines!

T-1 Day - Navigating the Venue and Arrival:

• On 1 December, the app will start allowing you to use it for navigation, so make sure to check the re:Invent app for maps and schedules.
• Badge Pickup Information for 1 December (Sunday):
  • Harry Reid International Airport Terminal 1 & Terminal 3 - 7:00 AM -- 11:59 PM
  • Venetian, Mandalay Bay, MGM - Sunday | 10:00 AM -- 8:00 PM
• Stop by the Sunday Sports Forum (Caesars Forum | 10:00 AM -- 8:30 PM)
• Get some rest so you are energised for an impactful and fun week in Las Vegas!

Bonus tips:

• Leave buffer time in your schedule. It takes 30-45 minutes to get between venues and you WILL get lost. You also want extra time for meetings and fun activities you come across along the way.
• Avoid walking through casinos as smoking is allowed and the air quality is not great.
• Stop by the Help Desk or use the chat function in the AWS Events app to ask questions.
• Take advantage of the reflection rooms, quiet spaces, and the grant lounge, it can get overwhelming!

Have fun and hope to see you there!