A Memorable First Week at BUILDSTR: re:Invent 2025

Three weeks ago, I joined BUILDSTR as an Account Executive. Just days later, I found myself attending my very first AWS re:Invent. 

If you’re thinking that sounds like an intense onboarding experience, you’re right. It was also my first time in Las Vegas and my first opportunity to meet my teammates in person- an unforgettable way to start the role. The plan was simple: fly in the day before, settle into the hotel, grab dinner with the team, and take an early night to catch up on sleep. 

Instead, my first flight was canceled, and I landed in Las Vegas the next day, walking straight into re:Invent before I’d even checked into my hotel. 

Having worked in the cloud services industry for a few years, I was no stranger to the idea of re:Invent. I knew it as an annual AWS showcase packed with partners, customers, and, of course, AWS itself- all coming together to unveil the newest innovations shaping the year ahead. For anyone remotely involved in cloud, you know it’s a big deal. 

I based most of my expectations on a previous experience attending Comic-Con- after all, how different could they be? Very different, as it turns out. Where Comic-Con was filled with cosplayers, memorabilia, and celebrity sessions, re:Invent was packed with IT professionals from around the world, companies both new and established lining every inch of the showroom floor, and sessions led by some of the greatest thinkers and leaders in the industry. It was loud, fast-paced, and overflowing with energy. 

As an AWS partner, BUILDSTR spent much of its time having conversations at the AWS booths at the center of the showroom. One thing that surprised me was discovering that the people working these booths weren’t sales representatives- they were often the actual developers behind the solutions. We weren’t hearing polished sales pitches; we were talking directly with the engineers who built the products and were genuinely proud of what they had created. 

That’s when I really began to feel the buzz of why re:Invent is what it is: a place where builders and creators get to showcase their passions. 

Another highlight was finally meeting members of the BUILDSTR team in person. While I love BUILDSTR’s remote-work policy, it was refreshing to connect face-to-face rather than monitor-to-monitor. 

So, what were my first impressions of the team? Simply put, an incredible group of people. It may sound cheesy, but it’s genuinely motivating to see like-minded individuals come together to build something meaningful. The team has worked hard to build strong relationships with both customers and AWS, and the impact was visible. One moment in particular stands out: hearing a customer share their successful AWS migration story at an event. It was one of many moments throughout the week that made me proud to be part of the BUILDSTR team. 

What I loved most about that migration story was how clearly it highlighted the collaborative nature of the AWS ecosystem. AWS provides the infrastructure and tools customers need to succeed, while partners like us bring the hands-on expertise to fit all the pieces together. When it works, everyone wins: customers succeed in their AWS environments, and partners help strengthen the broader AWS network through real success stories. 

As a kid who grew up playing baseball, I learned early on that it’s a team sport. Everyone has their own position, but success comes from working together- not individually. That same mentality was visible throughout re:Invent. Everyone had a role to play, contributing to something much bigger than themselves. 

By the end of the week, my biggest takeaway was realizing that re:Invent is more than just a conference- it’s an accelerated introduction to AWS and the people who make the ecosystem thrive. 

What started as a hectic first week ultimately became a powerful reminder of the value of collaboration, shared goals, and showing up ready to build, learn, and grow. Not a bad way to kick off a new chapter.