Hi! I’m Girish, an AWS Community Builder and Cloud Tech Enthusiast with expertise in delivering customer-focused and business-impacting cloud transformation programs of high complexity.
In this article, I’ll share insights about re:Invent and the many different opportunities it offers for learning!
If you’re headed to AWS re:Invent, you already know it’s not just a conference—it’s an experience.
With 2,000+ sessions spread across 5 days, it can feel overwhelming to decide where to spend your time. Add in the fact that there isn’t just one type of session, but more than 11 different formats from breakout sessions to chalk talks, bootcamps, lightning talks, and more and the challenge becomes real.
So how do you know which sessions to attend?
Well… truthfully, you don’t get to attend everything 😊.
But you can narrow things down by aligning sessions with your interests and objectives.
Whether you’re into Serverless, Generative AI, Containers, Security, or Industry-focused tracks, a bit of planning goes a long way.
Let’s take a look at a few of the key session types, what they mean, and how much time they usually take:
Keynotes & Leadership Sessions
- Typically 4-5 keynote one scheduled for each day. Plan 60-120 mins.
- Keynotes feature AWS leaders unveiling new services and the vision for the future of cloud.
- Don’t miss Dr. Werner Vogels’ keynote!
Breakout Sessions
- Typically 45-60 mins duration.
- Traditional conference talks with slides and demos.
- Great for structured learning.
- Plan ahead for these!
Chalk Talks
- Typically 60 mins duration.
- Interactive whiteboard-style discussions with AWS experts.
- Short presentation, then deep Q&A and design discussions.
Workshops
- Typically 120 mins duration.
- Hands-on sessions where you build with AWS services in real time.
- You need to pre-register for these.
- Need to bring your laptop.
Builders’ Sessions
- Typically 60 mins duration.
- Small group, 5-6 people
- Hands on building.
Bootcamps
- Full day session, typically 6-8 hours
- These are paid sessions. Plan ahead
- Good if you want dedicated time to skill up in a specific area.
- Instructor Led.
In addition to these, there are also lightning talk and self paced labs as well.
How I’m Planning My re:Invent 2025 Sessions
My current role requires a deep understanding of AWS Cloud services as well as the compliance needs of highly regulated financial and banking environments. Since my work doesn’t involve hands-on coding, I plan to skip most Builders’ Sessions and Workshops and instead maximize my time exploring new services and upcoming enhancements. The goal is to bring back practical insights that I can apply to the cloud transformation initiatives I’m currently leading.
This year, I’m focusing on four key themes:
- Serverless
- Generative AI
- Security & Compliance
- Observability
I’ve shortlisted around 60 sessions that align with these themes. Of course, I know it’s not realistic to attend them all. With time spent walking between venues, networking, making new friends, and connecting with fellow AWS Community Builders, I’m realistically targeting 20–25 sessions for the week. I’ll refine my list further once I have more details about session timings and venues.
This short list should allow me switching to a different session If a reserved session is full or plans change. This approach helps me maximize learning while keeping the experience enjoyable and stress-free.
Planning Tips
- Select your theme and select desired sessions from the event catalog
- Shortlist more sessions than you can attend to plan the backup but don’t select everything.
- Plan for walking, networking, and fun time.
- Don’t panic if you miss a session. Many are recorded and available on-demand after the event!
Final Thoughts
You won’t be able to experience everything at AWS re:Invent, and that’s perfectly okay. The key is to focus on your learning goals, build a thoughtful schedule, and leave room for spontaneous opportunities. Stay organized, keep an open mind, and make re:Invent a memorable and inspiring experience.
See you at re:Invent 2025!!!
𝒢𝒾𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽 ℬ𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒾𝒶
𝘈𝘞𝘚 𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵
𝘈𝘞𝘚 𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘦
𝘈𝘞𝘚 𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘈𝘐 𝘗𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘳
𝘈𝘞𝘚 𝘊𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘢𝘴𝘵
