If you’re attending AWS re:Invent for the first time, get ready, and I mean really ready. The event’s massive agenda includes over 1,000 technical sessions, hands-on training, and more than 60,000 attendees. Learning from veterans’ experiences will definitely enhance your week and help you avoid rookie mistakes that could impact your best moments.
Besides finding tips about choosing and scheduling sessions effectively or navigating between venues, most re:Invent guides also remind you to stay hydrated and wear comfortable shoes. Seriously, don’t ignore this one!
Vegas is very dry, and keeping a bottle of water with you is essential. You’ll spend five full days walking between six hotel venues — The Venetian, Wynn, Caesar’s Forum, Encore, MGM Grand, and Mandalay Bay — easily clocking in 12+ hours a day on your feet. Trust me, your feet will thank you for your wise shoe choice.
However, there are a few extra steps you can take to make your experience even better, especially as a woman. Most guides are written by our male allies, but let’s be honest: they don’t always cover our kind of essentials. So here are a few “re:Invent Queens” tips from women who’ve been there and learned what’s really worth packing.
🎒 Packing light#
Julia Furst Morgado, an AWS Hero living in the US, reminded us that Vegas can get a bit chilly around this time of year. So, along with comfortable shoes, pack a warm yet lightweight jacket. Julia suggests packing smart: bring versatile items you can mix and match from sessions to parties, and, importantly, pack light. You’ll be walking around all day, carrying your belongings.
“Many times you won’t have time to go back to the hotel before evening events, so it’s better to be prepared and travel light if that happens,” Julia says.
Monica Colangelo, AWS Hero from Italy, shares advice that’s especially relevant for women: practical over pretty!“People go to these events in comfortable clothes, so don’t stress about looking fancy — nobody cares.”
Comfort is your best friend when you’re walking all day, hopping between sessions, and attending evening events. She also suggests saving luggage space for all the swag you’ll collect (and there’s a lot of it!). Monica packs a foldable bag in her suitcase to use as an extra carry-on for the trip back home.
🛍️ Where to buy#
The desert air can be brutal. Monica mentioned that some Strip hotels rent humidifiers, but they’re pricey.“A better option: buy a cheap one on Amazon and have it shipped directly to your hotel. Just check their package policy first, and leave it behind when you check out!”
For affordable snacks, toiletries, and bottled water, Monica recommends the Walgreens between The Venetian and The Palazzo, which is open 24/7 and far cheaper than hotel shops.
👟 More Practical Wisdom from the Road#
Thembile Martis, Community Manager at AWS, has traveled to re:Invent from both South Africa and the Netherlands, and she’s learned a thing or two along the way. Her tips are a perfect blend of practicality and experience:
- Choose shoes that allow your feet to stretch. After hours of walking between venues, your feet will swell.
- Opt for long socks, not ankle ones. The constant walking can rub your ankle raw, so give your feet extra protection.
- Keep a refillable water bottle. You’ll find water stations everywhere—use them and stay hydrated.
- Pace yourself at parties. “Don’t go big on day one,” she says. You’ve got a whole week ahead with back-to-back sessions and evening events.
- Carry small, energy-boosting snacks. Energy bars, crackers, or fruit roll-ups can save the day between sessions. Thembile always keeps a few in her purse.
- Pack a small sling bag for party nights. Backpacks aren’t allowed, and a tiny crossbody bag is perfect for your phone, lip balm, and hotel key.
🗓️ Plan Smart, Save Battery#
Amelia Hough-Ross, an AWS Community Builder in the US who has attended at least eight re:Invents, shared a genius tip for keeping your schedule under control, and your phone alive:“Make a paper copy of your schedule with all your session times and locations. It’s so much easier to access than constantly checking your phone, and it saved me so much battery life. I also include the after-parties I’m registered for, so I can plan where I need to be in real time with people.”
This simple but brilliant habit can make a huge difference in keeping your days organized and stress-free while everyone else is frantically scrolling through their phones.
💡 My tip on top of that? A lightweight but good powerbank can help a lot!
💋 Skincare & Self-Care Must-Haves#
After long days of walking, networking, and Vegas’ desert climate, your body will need a little extra care, and that’s where these next tips from our re:Invent Queens come in.
Paloma Lataliza, AWS Hero from Brazil, learned the hard way how harsh the dryness can be. Her survival kit to Las Vegas includes:
- Lip balm with SPF
- Moisturizer and sunscreen
- Saline nasal spray
“They’ll be your best friends! The saline spray helped with my dry nose, and I also suffered from sunburn on my lips and skin. Moisturizer, sunscreen, and lip balm can prevent painful cracks and sunburn.”
Linda Mohamed, AWS Hero from Austria, reinforces the previous tips and adds that long days of sessions followed by parties can be exhausting. Her go-to trick for travelling to AWS re:Invent from Vienna?
“I always pack a few sheet masks. A 15-minute break with one, and I start the day looking fresh. It does miracles!”
She also has a fun suggestion for event organizers:
“Last year, Suzana and I hosted a Women in Tech meetup next to a stand offering haircuts for men. How about a space for women to get their nails done or blow-dry their hair for the event?”, asks Linda.
💄 My Personal Learnings#
Speaking of hair… I started doing it in New Zealand and still do in Sweden, especially when going around in Europe: I never travel without a travel-size dry shampoo. This one’s for anyone whose hair isn’t “wash-and-go” (like mine!).After washing, I usually blow-dry it (which is challenging when you have a packed agenda like re:Invent). Dry shampoo keeps it looking clean and fresh, and a satin sleep cap gives it an extra hand.
A facial moisturizer with SPF is a must, as I learned the hard way how perimenopause plus desert air can be a tough combo. If you relate, invest in a hydrating serum and a fast-absorbing, non-greasy hand cream, preferably easy to throw in your bag and carry with you.And if you are a lipstick addict like me, choose moisturizing formulas so your lips stay hydrated while looking great. Your face (and lips) will thank you!
Finally, based on my own experience, don’t forget to pack your meds and eyedrops, especially if you have allergies or lactose intolerance like I do.
💡 Tips from an Expert#
Farrah Campbell, Head of Modern Compute Community at AWS in the US, is heading to her ninth re:Invent, and she confirms: the dryness in Vegas is real.
She brings or rents a humidifier and uses it religiously every night, along with eye patches and face masks.“Otherwise, my skin starts cracking by the second day,” she says.
For lips, she warns against ChapStick or lip gloss.“Vaseline or beeswax is much better for preventing moisture loss.”
Farrah also swears by daily Vitamin C — not just for immunity, but for your skin — and always packs a ton of Throat Coat lozenges, tea bags, and even a mini kettle.“I can barely speak by Wednesday, my voice is almost gone, and those are lifesavers.”
She recommends taking notes on your phone or in a small notebook instead of carrying a laptop when it’s not needed:“I have one notebook for Summits, one for Community Days, and one for re:Invent. Laptops get heavy, and there’s soooo much walking.”
And one more gem:“Bring an extra pair of shoes and change halfway through the day is a total game-changer. Oh, and don’t forget band-aids (bandage)!”
✨ Final Thoughts from a veteran#
Farrah’s biggest advice? Don’t rush through re:Invent. Enjoy it.
“Take in the smiles, laughter, and celebrations. Meet the people you follow online and read the content. Find a friend. AWS re:Invent can be daunting, lonely, and overwhelming, but sharing it with someone makes all the difference.”
Her closing thought perfectly captures the spirit of the event:“Be open to meeting new people. It’s easy to stay in our comfort circles, but re:Invent is the perfect place to expand your network globally. The first time I realized I had friends all over the world was after my 4th re:Invent.”
👯 Wrapping Up#
These are a few lessons learned by amazing women who’ve attended re:Invent before, shared to make your experience easier and more enjoyable.
Do you have other tips to add to this list? Drop them in the comments on my LinkedIn post. I’d love to hear them and keep this list growing! 🌟
