Thread by @QuinnyPig

Okay, so there are a whole bunch of *other* tips I didn't give in this thing that might be useful for you.

Strap in, it's threading time.

https://twitter.com/7082212/status/1587864877724356609

One of the best parts of @awscloud #reinvent is that it brings people together from all over the world. Perhaps you could grab lunch with me *ANY OTHER WEEK OF THE YEAR* since we both live in San Francisco, SalesBro?

Prioritize the people you don't get to see often.

Be kind to the event staff. They have a harder job than you do, I promise.

The code of conduct is very much not optional. Your presence is extremely optional. Act accordingly.

Hydrating is important. Bottled water in the casinos costs what feels like $40 a liter.

I buy a bunch at the local pharmacy and use that throughout the week.

Your AWS account manager may invite you or your team out to dinner.

For god's sake let them; if you're lucky the hour you spend at dinner will cost more than you're paying AWS for that hour, but that's dicey...

We all believe on some level that after this sprint is done we're going to pay off our technical debt and start making the right decisions.

It's this same unfounded optimism that causes us to register for the 5K "fun run" at 6AM on Wednesday morning. You will not be there.

It's "the Las Vegas monorail," not "the release train."

It's "the re:Invent shuttle," not "the bus your team threw you under."

Avail yourself of both.

Do *not* feel guilty about not being available for your employer the entire time. If you are at reInvent, I promise you that you are working.

If your employer did not agree, they would not have paid to send you.

If they didn't pay to send you, I hope you're not going.

"No one ever got fired for buying AWS" may be true, but they sure as shit have gotten fired for their behavior at re:Invent. Drink responsibly if you choose to imbibe.

Given that tickets are $1,799 you had best believe there's an asterisk next to the "free" in "free* hoodie at registration."

Cell signal in Las Vegas is generally not great.

My gut tells me that the conference wifi will be fantastic this year.

Your hotel wifi will be sponsored by Comcast.

Snarking about the company and the products? Knock yourself out, but be forewarned: the failure mode of "clever" is "asshole."

People's appearances, stage presence, etc. are out of bounds. Companies don't have feelings; people do.

Jot down notes about who you meet with, what you talked about, and what you committed to get them.

You will absolutely not remember any of it when you're back at home. "I'll remember" is your brain lying to you.

The official @awscloud re:Invent mobile app has gone from "did you even try" to "respectably decent" over the past few years. Install it and log in before you leave home; the QR code saves you time at registration.

Upload a photo of yourself to the portal now, while you're thinking about it. Otherwise you might get a crappy one with weird lighting and sometimes distorted dimensions.

How I know:

If you have a badge from a previous year, bring it with you and attach it to your lanyard so it's back-to-back with your 2022 badge. Otherwise half the time people will try to see who you are (we're bad with names!) and instead we'll get to see this:

Wear comfortable shoes, and bring two pairs. Swap between them every day. Your feet will thank you.