Community

Day 1 at re:Invent is when the the event finally shifts from anticipation to full throttle. The Community Lounge wakes up early, the first wave of announcements rolls in, hallway conversations get louder and more speculative, and the Expo floor turns into a kind of organised chaos that only AWS could orchestrate. Today felt like the moment everyone collectively remembered why we fly across the world for this: the people, the pace, the surprises, and the unmistakable sense that the week is about to go somewhere big.

It’s Day 0 of re:Invent — technically not the official start, but anyone who’s been here before knows it’s when the week unofficially begins. This is the day when the city shifts gears, people converge, badges get claimed, airport reunions happen, and AWS quietly warms up the engines.

No announcements yet — not one.
And honestly, I don’t mind.
Today wasn’t about features or service updates. It was about people, energy, and that unmistakable build-up that says: It’s about to begin.

And just like that, 2024 comes to a close. What a year it’s been for the AWS User Group Brisbane, one of the most incredible years yet. I know, I say this every year, but there’s a reason for that. Every single year gets better than the last. This year wasn’t just about events and talks (though there were plenty of those), it was about people, our growing community, our dedicated organisers, and every single person who turned up, contributed, or carried a pizza box up 30 floors. Let’s take a moment to reflect on what made 2024 so special.

Over the course of my technical career, I’ve been exposed to many different learning resources;

• AWS Formal Training
• AWS Certification
• AWS Skills Builder
• AWS Dev Lounge
• Hands-on experience
• Positive encouragement from leadership to learn
• …