10 Insider Tips for AWS re:Invent

AWS re:Invent is… a lot. Tens of thousands of cloud pros, endless venues, the world’s loudest conference DJ (for reasons unknown), and enough sessions to fill an entire college semester.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning veteran, it helps to have insider guidance from someone who has navigated the madness for years.  Read on for CBT Nuggets Trainer Scott Pletcher's insider tips on how to make the most of your week at AWS re:Invent.

Where to Find CBT Nuggets at AWS re:Invent 2025

Before you dive in, make your re:Invent week way easier:

Join our event list and get daily re:Invent invites straight to your inbox.

The CBT Nuggets crew will be hosting daily hangouts, trivia sessions, and recharge spaces across the major venues—all perfect moments to connect with other cloud pros, get 1:1 time with AWS trainers, and snag some exclusive swag.

Tuesday, Dec 2 | Cloud Skills Challenge

10am–11am @ Mandalay Bay

Think you can out-architect your peers? Put your AWS knowledge to the test and compete for swag and bragging rights.

Wednesday, Dec 3 | Test Your Knowledge with AWS Trivia

3pm–4pm @ MGM Grand

Test your AWS smarts in our trivia session. Prizes for the winners!

Thursday, Dec 4 | Trainer Q&A and AWS Study Tips

11:30am–1pm @ The Venetian

Alright, now that you know where to find us, it’s time for Scott’s wisdom. Here’s his take on getting the most out of re:Invent.

1. Prepare for the Sheer Scale of re:Invent

The scale of AWS re:Invent is next-level. It’s difficult to fathom 60,000+ people for a tech conference, but Las Vegas is one of the few cities that can pull it off with relative ease. For some, myself included, it can be very overwhelming in the conference venues with wall-to-wall people whizzing past. Fortunately, there are designated Quiet Rooms to recharge and recenter yourself.

Crowds are usually at a maximum in the Venetian/Palazzo conference center every day, and for some reason, they’ll have a DJ pumping unreasonably loud techno music right in the middle of things from open to close. (Why do they act like the mixer knobs are white hot?) Some remote venues—like Mandalay Bay and MGM—have plenty of sessions but fewer people.

If you have an AWS certification, you also have access to the Certification Lounges. These are relatively calm places offering snacks, beverages, and oh-so-rare flat table space.

 2. Don’t Overload Your Schedule

Resist the urge to wallpaper your schedule back-to-back with sessions. If there are sessions you want to attend, get reserved and be there at least 10 minutes early. Reservation no-shows are canceled at the T-minus 10-minute mark, and your seat will go to the standby line.

Also, don’t reserve a session just to fill a block or because you might attend. If you reserve a session, do your best to show up so you don’t prevent somebody else from attending because they think it’s full.

And don’t be the person who dips out of a session 10 minutes before the end. Having been a presenter, I can say this is a huge distraction to both the presenter and the audience. And yes, the presentation will likely be available for download, so stop taking photos of every slide.

3. Leave Space for Embargoed Sessions

Another benefit of keeping space in your schedule is that there are “embargoed” sessions. Plenty of new products and services are announced each year, and attendees are eager to learn about them. Embargoed sessions cover those announcements but don’t appear publicly until the product is revealed. These go fast, so you’ll need to be quick on the app to secure your spot.

4. Take Advantage of Hands-On Learning Labs

Yet another benefit of leaving time in your schedule: the hands-on labs. Throughout the week, you’ll find ballrooms set up with hundreds of computers for self-paced learning. You can walk up, select a module or topic, and work through exercises.

While there is sometimes a queue, I’ve never had to wait—just walk up, sit down, and go.

5. Plan Your Days by Venue

Getting between venues has historically been a hassle, and I doubt this year will be any better. It’s viable to walk between venues on the north end of the Strip, but if you’re at the Wynn and need to reach Mandalay Bay for a session, that’s a LONG walk—easily an hour.

Buses do run regularly between venues, but their schedule seems mostly random. Personally, I plan my days by venue. For example, one day I might camp out at Mandalay and take in sessions and interactive events there. The next day, I might target MGM and be flexible with sessions. This minimizes commute time.

6. Skip the Keynote Line, Catch the Livestream

This may be a hot take, but I typically skip the keynotes. At least, I don’t trek into the venue early, queue up, file into a huge hall, and sit shoulder-to-shoulder in chairs arranged for maximum density and minimal personal space.

These halls are so massive that you’ll likely be looking at ants on the stage, watching the whole thing on overhead screens anyway. Why do this when you can instead watch comfortably on your laptop with some disappointing coffee and a $10 croissant? All the keynotes are streamed live on the re:Invent website.

Not a morning person? Stay in bed. The keynotes are usually 70% marketing love fest and 30% interesting stuff—you can watch them at 2x later.

7. Hit the Welcome Reception for Prime Swag Hunting

If you’re a swag aficionado, try to hit the Welcome Reception on Monday evening. This kickoff party on the exhibition floor is prime swag-gathering time. Vendors want to get their unique branded items in your hands for maximum promotion.

Plus, there’s usually an open bar. Be warned, though: it is a full sensory overload zone. Vendors bring everything from giant Plinko boards to photo ops with D-list celebrities to magic acts, all vying for your attention (and your precious badge scan).

8. Find the Best Vendor Parties

Do a search for “re:Invent parties” when you’re there. You’ll find official lists and usually a few unofficial ones. Tons of vendor-sponsored parties offer free food and drinks in exchange for your badge scan and a sales pitch.

Most require registration or a request for an invitation. Vendors especially want decision-makers and contract signers, so there might be some vetting. If you choose to cosplay as “Purchasing Manager” or “CIO,” I won’t judge. Happy to be your +1 and act as your “Special Executive Advisor,” especially at the events with seafood towers.

9. Talk Directly to AWS Product Teams

One of my favorite things to do at re:Invent is talk directly to product managers and engineers for various AWS services. They present sessions, but they also hang out on the expo floor near the AWS areas.

It’s a prime chance for one-on-one conversations that go beyond talking points. For example, a couple of years ago, I had a “spirited” conversation on the current business value of AWS Braket with one of their PhD engineers. In other cases, with some rapport building, I’ve gotten early access to beta services, extra support, and even collaborated on product releases.

(No invite from the Braket team yet—but show me a business use case, and I’m in!)

10. Don’t Miss re:Play

Finally, go to re:Play! Just do it! My first year at re:Invent in 2015, I let my introversion override my curiosity and skipped it. The next year, I mustered the courage and went—and I had a BLAST.

It’s a big nerd fest with music, games, contests, and (mostly) good food. Did I mention the open bar? If you’re still on the fence and want someone to hang with so you don’t feel alone, hit me up. I’d love to meet you there! Drinks are on me.

Heading to AWS re:Invent? CBT Nuggets will be on the ground all week — connecting cloud pros who want to make the most of the week together. Join our event list to stay in the loop!