AWS Public Sector Blog

How to prepare for re:Invent 2021 for public sector attendees

From November 28 to December 3, 2021, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is hosting the 10th annual re:Invent conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Attendees can deepen their cloud knowledge and gain new skills to accelerate their missions—as well as network, chat with AWS experts, and have fun with thousands of other cloud enthusiasts. With so much content available, how can you make the most of the event? Whether you’re attending in person or virtually, here’s what public sector attendees need to know to prepare:

Check out the AWS re:Invent Public Sector Attendee Guide

The re:Invent Public Sector Attendee Guide 2021 is a comprehensive collection of everything you need to know about what’s happening at re:Invent for public sector attendees. The guide includes details on all the public sector related breakout sessions, chalk talks, workshops, builders’ sessions, and more, and it identifies other sessions that public sector customers may be interested in as well. Plus, the guide collects details on other fun events that public sector customers should know. Browse the guide here.

Download the event mobile app to have all the details in the palm of your hand

With the event mobile app, you have everything you need to know about re:Invent 2021 on the go, so you know exactly where you want to be and when. Build your own agenda with the types of sessions and experiences you want and what might be best for you based on your cloud journey. The event mobile app also outlines other event activities and COVID-19 safety protocols.

Click here on your mobile device or use your mobile device to scan the QR code below:

Learn how to re:Invent

Watch the How to re:Invent series for all the information you need about attending the show, either in person or remotely. Featuring insider tips from AWS’s global events team, these short episodes will guide attendees through how to make the most of your time at the show. Learn how to build the best re:Invent calendar for you and why it’s important to reserve seats (in the “Reserved seating” episode), what you need to know about attending re:Invent in person (“Know before you go”), and how to make the most of the virtual streaming platform (“Virtual re:Invent”).

Build the best show for you and reserve your seats in the session catalog

Consider the outcome you want to have at the end of the show and plan out how to get there with the session catalog. What subjects do you want to learn more about and talk about with experts before you leave re:Invent? Use the session catalog to favorite breakout sessions, chalk talks, workshops, bootcamps, builders’ sessions, and more to create a re:Invent calendar that fits your needs. To find the 19 official public sector sessions in the session catalog, as well as other public sector-tagged sessions, check the Public Sector box under the Topic/Industry dropdown filter box, or type WPS in the search bar.

Make sure to reserve your seats in the session catalog if you’re attending in person. Start with chalk talks and builders’ sessions (the smallest number of seats available), then workshops, then breakout sessions and leadership sessions. In the session catalog, find your desired sessions, and select Reserve a seat to secure your spot. (Here’s a guided walkthrough on reserving seats.)

All the keynotes and leadership sessions will be livestreamed and available to watch on demand in the virtual platform, and breakout sessions will be available to stream on demand after the event. View the sessions catalog here. Note: You will need to be registered for in-person or virtual attendance to access the catalog.

Get inspired by public sector leaders

Hear directly from AWS public sector leaders as they highlight customer advancements and announce new services and initiatives to help customers further their missions. At the AWS public sector leadership session To infinity and beyond: How AWS is powering the future (WPS212-L), Max Peterson, vice president of the AWS worldwide public sector, will discuss how the public sector is pushing boundaries on Earth and beyond on Tuesday, November 30 from 2:30 PM – 3:30 PT at the Venetian Theatre. Peterson will also be joined by customer speakers who will share their stories on how they use the cloud to drive their missions.

In the AWS public sector partners leadership session, Top 10 announcements to drive growth and value (WPS211-L), Sandy Carter, vice president of public sector partners and programs, will share our 2022 vision with partners and announce new initiatives and ways for the public sector to drive growth on Wednesday, December 1, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT at the Venetian Theatre. Learn more about the public sector leadership sessions here.

Discover more ways to learn

Beyond breakout sessions and chalk talks, there are even more ways to learn at re:Invent. AWS experts will be onsite to answer questions at the Expo in the Venetian Hotel, which includes AWS Village, AWS Partner Network, AWS Marketplace, Builders’ Fair, Developer Lounge, Demo Theater, Jam Lounge, Startup Central, and sponsor booths. Visit the Public Sector Pavilion on the Expo floor to talk with subject matter experts and AWS Partners ready to help your organization succeed in your mission.

Jams and GameDays are gamified sessions that allow you to gain hands-on experience working through real-world scenarios that encourage using a variety of AWS and AWS Partner services; participants of all skill levels are encouraged to participate to validate their existing skills while also learning new ones. There will also be onsite AWS Certifications, bootcamps, and labs for you to harness your cloud computing skills.

Make time for play

Make sure your re:Invent schedule isn’t just all work. There are plenty of opportunities for fun events through the week. Kick off your re:Invent experience with Midnight Madness at the Venetian on Sunday, November 28 at 10:30 PM PT, and don’t miss the re:Play party at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on Thursday, December 2 at 7:30 PM PT. There’s also the annual chicken wing eating contest, a ping pong tournament, board game night, screenings of new Amazon Original Series The Wheel of Time, plus the new climate docu-series Climate Next, and more.

Network in style

Beyond learning and play, re:Invent is a time to meet new people and make connections across the public sector and industries. Plan to attend the public sector reception at the new Resort World Group at Ayu and Zouk Nightclub on Wednesday, December 1, starting at 7:00 PM PST. There is no separate registration for the event; however, all attendees must show their government ID and conference badge.

There is also a dedicated Public Sector Lounge in the Northwest Promenade of the Wynn Hotel, where you can meet other public sector attendees, AWS experts, and Partners. Hear from industry experts and watch demos, or simply recharge between events. And don’t miss the Aerospace and Satellite Networking Lounge in the Venetian Hotel, on Level 3 in the West Alcove, Venetian Conference Center, to meet experts and discover how AWS is powering the latest advancements in space technologies. (For even more content about the Aerospace and Satellite events at re:Invent, browse the Aerospace and Satellite Attendee Guide.) Plus, check out restaurant receptions through the week.

Tune in remotely with the livestream and on-demand viewing

If you’re unable to attend sessions in person, you can watch remotely through the new virtual platform. All keynotes and leadership sessions will be livestreamed and available on demand, and breakout sessions will be available to stream in the virtual platform after the event; closed captioning will be available as well, and the keynotes and leadership sessions will have translations in eight languages. Build your virtual re:Invent calendar just as you would if you were attending in person to make sure you don’t miss a session. There will also be other livestreamed events, like behind-the-scenes programming, commentary from special guests, and more. Check out the virtual agenda here.


In-person tickets for re:Invent 2021 are sold out. However, you can still register to attend virtually at no cost. Register for virtual re:Invent here.

AWS Public Sector Blog Team

AWS Public Sector Blog Team

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Sector Blog team writes for the government, education, and nonprofit sector around the globe. Learn more about AWS for the public sector by visiting our website (https://thinkwithwp.com/government-education/), or following us on Twitter (@AWS_gov, @AWS_edu, and @AWS_Nonprofits).