Introverts are not necessarily shy or antisocial. We need space to think deeply and prefer in-depth interactions.
Fear not! This introvert has been to re:Invent and survived. My advice is to take advantage of the breadth and depth of the re:Invent catalog. Allow yourself the space to recharge and learn but do dedicate time to interact and process.
First, ferociously manage your schedule. Dedicate time to dive deep into topics you want to learn more about in a hands-on workshop, AWS GameDay, or lab. Save room in your schedule to get to sessions, as well as time to think over what you’ve learned.
Take what you experienced with you for the next suggestion—socialize! This sounds off for an introvert guide, but all that time spent learning is even better when you compare notes with other participants or engage with a small group after a session. Chalk talks are perfect sessions to absorb information and share knowledge in a small group setting.
At re:Invent, you are surrounded by fellow AWS users. Take advantage of it. I’d be remiss if I didn’t plug your local user group—share what you learned with your local AWS user group!
Depending on what topic you are interested in, dive deep and get hands on with a workshop or AWS GameDay. Bond with a team of like-minded practitioners to try out those services you’ve been meaning to test but haven’t had the time for.
CON402 Concepts to take your Kubernetes operations and scale to the next level
COP206 Build a complete DevSecOps pipeline on AWS
NET307 Become a network support expert: We break it, you fix it
Chalk talks are small, expert-led sessions. These sessions are not recorded, and you can either absorb or actively engage with presenters. As you collectively grok the material, small group discussions are natural.
NFX205 Crafting a sustainable on-call rotation
SEC206-R Security operations metrics that matter
XNT405 Don’t overthink it: Identifying services for modernized .NET workloads
I recommend introverts watch keynotes from quiet areas: overflow rooms, lounges, or the live stream from your room. Follow along with a live tweet stream to get that community feel of other people commenting on announcements, without the crush of people. Plus, you can get to that next session a bit faster!
Go to the expo with a mission, otherwise you will be overwhelmed quickly. Gather questions from your team and go directly to groups you want to engage with.
The real value of attending re:Invent is connecting with fellow AWS users in person. A meaningful conversation about what you just learned is far deeper than a quick hello as you find a seat. If you can, pre-plan to meet up with your local AWS user group and arrange to debrief together during one of the AWS social events like the restaurant receptions or re:Play.