Hero guide: First-time attendees
This guide features a curated trail of sessions at re:Invent 2024 for beginners who are just starting to learn about the AWS Cloud, or for those who are attending re:Invent for the first time. Get tips for planning your schedule, advice on what's in Las Vegas, and tricks to make the most of the event.

Paloma Lataliza
AWS Community Hero
Hi everyone! I'm Paloma Lataliza, AWS Community Hero, leader of the AWS user group Minas Gerais, and Cloud Engineer at Claro Brasil on the MSP (Managed Service Provider) project. I’ve developed this re:Invent 2024 attendee guide for people who are just starting to learn about the AWS Cloud or who are attending re:Invent for the first time.
AWS re:Invent is one of the largest technology events in the world, bringing together enthusiasts, professionals, and industry leaders to explore the latest innovations and trends in cloud computing. If you're starting out in the cloud, we know re:Invent can seem a little challenging. The sessions recommended in this guide are ideal for those taking their first steps in the cloud and can help you understand key AWS services and practices in a simple and straightforward way.
Bootcamp
TNC103 | AWS Cloud technical essentials
In this introductory bootcamp, you learn about AWS products, services, and common solutions. You also get familiar with the fundamentals of identifying AWS services so you can make informed decisions about IT solutions based on your business requirements. Throughout the bootcamp, you gain information on how to build, compare, and apply highly available, fault tolerant, scalable, and cost-effective cloud solutions.
TNC201 | Move to containers with Amazon ECS
This bootcamp provides an immersive experience through five hands-on labs that empower developers, architects, and modernization enthusiasts to build modern applications on AWS or modernize existing applications by leveraging Amazon ECS and other container services.
Breakout session
CMP101 | What’s new with Amazon EC2
Join this session to learn about the latest compute innovations from AWS. Discover how you can take advantage of recently launched Amazon EC2 instances and capabilities, and hear from AWS customer Capital One. This session aims to help you better understand Amazon EC2 instances and how organizations like yours can use them to run virtually any workload while meeting your cost, performance, and sustainability goals.
STG205 | Protect critical data with ease using Amazon EBS snapshots
Amazon EBS snapshots provide a secure, simple mechanism to back up and restore block data, boot volumes, and on-premises data. Learn how they deliver data protection while helping organizations reduce storage costs. Explore EBS volume and snapshot encryption, volume creation and recovery from a snapshot, and using Amazon Data Lifecycle Manager to automate your snapshots workflow across AWS accounts and Regions. Discover how you can strengthen the security posture of your snapshots to protect them against ransomware and easily read files from EBS snapshots. Hear from SAP on how it uses EBS snapshots to ensure data integrity and compliance for tens of thousands of SAP systems and thousands of customers.
TNC208 | Understand your customers better with a modern data strategy
We are not only producing more data than ever, we are also producing real-time data that is streaming from a host of sources like social media platforms and sensors embedded in attached to various devices. That data comes in structured and unstructured forms. In this session, explore the AWS services needed to build a complete data solution to store, access, transform, analyze, and predict so you can put your data to work to make better, more informed decisions, respond faster to the unexpected, and uncover new opportunities.
SUS101 | Advancing sustainable AWS infrastructure to power AI solutions
In this session, learn how AWS is committed to innovating with data center efficiency and lowering its carbon footprint to build a more sustainable business. Hear how AWS infrastructure is efficient for your AI workloads to minimize environmental impact as you innovate with compute, storage, networking, and more. Learn from Nasdaq, whose AI-powered environmental, social, and governance (ESG) platform uses Amazon Bedrock and AWS Lambda. Discover how their solution saves customers hours of manual effort by automating the analysis of tens of thousands of documents to better manage investor events, report internally to executive teams, and find new investors to target.
SVS209 | Containers or serverless functions: A path for cloud-native success
In this session, explore the fundamental differences between containers and serverless functions. Investigate real-world scenarios to gain insights into choosing the right approach based on workload requirements, deployment scenarios, and operations. Understand the architectural, scalability, and operational contrasts between these pivotal cloud technologies. Finally, discover synergies in combining them to leverage their collective strengths. Leave with a clear understanding of when to use containers, serverless functions, or a hybrid model for your application needs.
SVS211 | Celebrating 10 years of pioneering serverless and containers
Ten years ago, AWS Lambda pioneered serverless computing. Amazon ECS with AWS Fargate further catalyzed the serverless revolution. With serverless, builders are able to focus on delivering customer value instead of spending time managing servers. Serverless continues to be an innovative approach to building applications. Join this session to explore how serverless has evolved to help organizations drive the highest performance, availability, and security at low costs. Learn from leaders charged with defining the next generation of serverless how serverless powers applications across Amazon and AWS.
Builders' session
SVS204-R | Write less code: Building applications with a serverless mindset [REPEAT]
Building with a serverless mindset focuses on business value. You can derive more value by using built-in integrations between AWS services set up through configuration than by writing glue code. This hands-on session explores patterns for using direct service integrations using Amazon API Gateway, AWS Step Functions, and Amazon EventBridge. Discover the efficiency of utilizing configuration to streamline development tasks, and push the heavy lifting to AWS. You must bring your laptop to participate.
DOP205-R | Learning new skills with Amazon Q Developer [REPEAT]
Experience the power of Amazon Q Developer, your AI-powered assistant for software development. In this session, explore how Amazon Q Developer can streamline your daily workflow on AWS. Stuck in the console? Open the Amazon Q Developer panel for instant assistance. Can't find your way through the documentation? Amazon Q Developer guides you effortlessly. Need help crafting CLI commands? Amazon Q Developer has you covered. Want assistance right in Slack or Microsoft Teams? Amazon Q Developer is by your side, helping you work smarter, faster, and more efficiently across your favorite tools. You must bring your laptop to participate.
Chalk talk
CMP202 | Resilient and resourceful: Balance compute resiliency and costs
Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling helps you maintain application availability and automatically add or remove Amazon EC2 instances using scaling policies that you define. In this chalk talk, dive deep into Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling innovations and best practices designed to increase the resiliency of your applications while meeting your cost-efficiency objectives. Learn how your deployment patterns and tools such as Amazon EC2 Auto Scaling instance maintenance policy and instance refresh rollback can help you achieve the exact balance of healthy compute capacity needed.
SVS202-R | Thinking serverless [REPEAT]
Serverless is more than just AWS Lambda. It’s about learning to use a range of different services and techniques to solve a technical problem. How do you approach building a solution with a serverless mindset? In this chalk talk, learn how to tackle a business problem from a customer perspective by breaking down needs into serverless building blocks that work well together. Discover the power of distributed systems design and event-based architecture, and learn how easy it can be to turn a flowchart into a model for a serverless application.
Exam prep
TNC106 | Prepare for your next AWS Certification exam
In this 45-minute lab with the exam prep team, walk through the four-step plan to prepare for AWS Certification exams and learn about the official materials available in AWS Skill Builder. Search the AWS re:Invent catalog for exam prep sessions for foundational-, associate-, and professional-level exams.
TNC212 | Exam prep: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Prepare for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam with this 90-minute study session. Review questions from the official practice question set. Get your questions answered by the subject matter expert leading the study session. Continue preparing for your exam with confidence following the four-step plan on AWS Skill Builder.
Interactive training
TNC214-R | Apply least privilege principles to troubleshoot IAM access issues [REPEAT]
This lab demonstrates the concept of assuming an AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) role. Troubleshoot and fix access issues while applying least privilege concepts in your solution.
TNC218 | Troubleshoot network connectivity in a peered VPC
In this lab, learn about the connectivity concepts of Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (Amazon VPC). Explore how to troubleshoot network connectivity issues, and then learn how to fix the configuration to allow HTTP traffic between the client and server via VPC peering.
Workshop
API201 | The AWS Step Functions workshop
Join this workshop to learn about the primary features of AWS Step Functions. Step Functions is a low-code visual workflow service that developers use to build distributed applications, automate IT and business processes, and build data and machine learning pipelines based on AWS services. This workshop contains a series of interactive modules that provide hands-on experience building resilient workflows with robust error handling in a workshop environment. You must bring your laptop to participate.
BIZ205 | Simplify your email with Amazon SES Mail Manager and Amazon Bedrock
Email remains the primary communication backbone for businesses, integrated across operating systems and applications. It’s often easy to take email for granted, especially when it's inexpensive enough to set up a dedicated mail relay for every application. Relying solely on ad hoc email infrastructure is neither the safest nor the most operationally effective approach for your business. In this workshop, learn how to use Amazon SES Mail Manager to enhance governance, risk management, and compliance controls to your email workloads. Also discover how to pair your workloads with AI-driven insights from Amazon Q to gain a deeper understanding of the activity across your applications. You must bring your laptop to participate.
Closing comments
General tips for the event
In addition to the technical content schedule, I have compiled some tips for those who are participating in re:Invent for the first time.
Intensity of the conference: Attending re:Invent can be overwhelming. With so much to do, see, and experience, don't forget to carve out moments to unwind and center yourself. Look for the reflection areas at the conference venues to meditate or step away from the hustle.
Well-being: Take care of yourself. Traveling can be exhausting. Stay hydrated and catch up on sleep if you feel the need to reinvigorate yourself.
Swag alert: There’s a lot of it! Consider packing an extra bag. Last year, I had to purchase one to carry everything. Visit the exhibition hall for some cool giveaways like jackets, t-shirts, chargers, headphones, sunglasses, bottles, etc.
Venue navigation: Allocate 30–40 minutes to move between venues, and plan your schedule accordingly.
Footwear: There's a lot of walking involved, so it's seriously worth considering sneakers or other extremely comfortable footwear. Given that the event unfolds across multiple venues, you'll be doing a lot of walking. By the end of the day, your feet will be truly grateful.
Sessions that appear “full”: If you want to attend a session that doesn’t have any more seats to reserve, there's still a chance you might get in. Arrive at the room 20 minutes before the session starts and join the walk-up line. AWS holds back some seats for walk-up attendees, and if registered attendees are late, there may be even more seats available.
Keynotes: The keynote speeches are truly remarkable and inspiring. I highly recommend making plans to attend. They are among my favorite parts of the event.
Snack time: Between sessions, keep an eye out for snacks. They are always available so you don't need to spend much on them.
Weather in Vegas: Las Vegas is in the middle of a desert, so the weather is usually dry. In December it can get pretty cold, especially at night, even though the days are still sunny. You might need a coat in the morning, but by afternoon, it could warm up enough to take it off. It's a good idea to pack both warm and light clothing to stay comfortable all day.
Skincare essentials: Lip balm, saline solution, a light moisturizer, and sunscreen are essential. The dry climate caused issues with my nose, and the saline solution was a lifesaver. I also experienced extremely dry lips and skin, along with intense sun exposure. Carrying these products will significantly enhance your experience at the event.
Scheduling: A crucial tip is to make your schedule as soon as you gain access to the event platform to view sessions. Given the large number of attendees, spots fill up quickly.
AWS Events app: It's important to use the AWS Events app to check the sessions you've scheduled and their locations. Doing so allows you to follow your plan without much stress.
Networking: Another great tip is to always have your LinkedIn or other social media QR codes ready. This makes connecting with new acquaintances much easier.
Transport: AWS provides shuttle services between venues. Familiarize yourself with the pickup points.
Community meals: Make time for lunches and dinners. These moments offer a unique opportunity to bond with some truly incredible individuals.
Most important: Seize the opportunity to meet a diverse range of people and heavily invest in networking. It's the most rewarding part. Immerse yourself, engage, and don't hesitate to speak up. I was initially too self-conscious about my English, but I realized that being more open from the start would have enriched my experience even more. Also, no one is judging your fluency or pronunciation. What truly matters is the effort to communicate.
I hope this guide helps you have an amazing experience! In addition to all the tips, an extra one: Connect with the community. Be sure to stop by the Community Developer Lounge in the Expo. Hope to see you soon!