re:Invent 2023 travelogue

Las Vegas 27. november 2023 This year, I was fortunate enough to be one of those allowed to go to AWS' big conference re:Invent in Las Vegas. As I previously have participated on this convention, I did have some idea of what I was going to, but I will still try to convey some "first impressions" from the first day in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas in summer is probably a constant party with jolly american youth going from bar to bar and pool to pool. In winter however, the pools and outdoor bars are closed, it's close to freezing at night, and the Las Vegas strip is a city of slot machines and the people using them (while being treated to free drinks as long as they keep playing). Of course, one can still enjoy the sights and all the strange stuff they built here - there is a pyramid here, an Eiffel Tower, a version of Venice (Italy) inside a hotel and so on.

re:Invent is kind of happening around all of this. Being the size that it is - latest numbers mentioned somewhere between 50.000 and 60.000 people being in Las Vegas for the conference, either as participants or working there - the conference itself is divided between the 5-6 largest conference hotels/venues here. One quickly learns that staying on one venue per day is a good idea, as the transfer time between the hotels tends to be long. Even for venues that are right next to each other, it could still take a brisk 20-30 minute walk to get from the conference center in one venue to the conference center in the other.

That does not mean that one necessarily misses out on any keynotes or talks. Something that happens live on one venue is usually simulcasted to the other venues so as long as you tolerate seeing a talk/keynote on a screen, you're good. As you probably understand by this point - this is not a conference where you can just show up and see if there are any interesting talks. To get your schedule to work and be able to join in the specific talks/labs/keynotes you want, it could take days of planning, scheduling, re-scheduling and so on.

And then (as I did) discover that you forgot to make room for lunch. The whole catering logistics is worth a talk in itself. Each of the venues serves lunch between 11 and 1. The biggest one caters to (according to the catering people) up to 6,000 or 7,000 people during that time. In one room. And the food is quite good. Differents variants of taco today, of course with gluten free and vegan variants.

re:Invent usually comes with a list of announcements from AWS: New services, new and exciting features on existing services etc. However, the keynotes where these usually come, and do not start until tomorrow Tuesday, so no info on that yet. These keynotes are usually held in the largest halls of the conference centers, and is held by different presidents, senior vice presidents etc of varying divisions of AWS. There has been some speculations of course, but it is safe to say that there will be enough reports on these in the media as the week progresses. As the afternoon goes I am now about to change venues. After spending the day on Mandalay Bay, I am now heading over to The Venetian (yes, you guessed right, this is the one with the version of Venice inside (including channels and gondolas)) for the Welcome Reception on the Expo floor. This is the kind of happening one brings a bag to - there is usually a lot of swag, and the exhibitors are competing for attention by giving it away.

Happy re:Inventing!