AWS re:Invent is the annual checkpoint for anyone serious about cloud, AI, and modern infrastructure. It’s where AWS sets the agenda for the year ahead. It’s where builders, leaders, and partners get clarity on what’s coming next. If you want to understand the direction of the cloud industry, this is where you go.
Before we dive in, here’s a handy guide you can take with you to re:Invent!
Where It Happens
re:Invent takes place in Las Vegas every year. The event spans multiple venues along the Strip. Sessions, labs, keynotes, and lounges run in parallel across hotels like the Venetian, Caesar’s Forum, and Mandalay Bay.
Expect long walks, packed schedules, and a constant stream of activity. The city handles the scale well, with frequent shuttle service. If this is your first time visiting, don’t panic; navigation is simple once you plan your routes.
Why It Matters for Partners and Marketplaces
re:Invent is where AWS signals how it intends to collaborate with partners in the coming year. It is also where marketplace strategy becomes clear.
Key reasons partners pay close attention:
- New monetisation opportunities – Marketplace updates often expand how partners transact, package, or scale SaaS offerings.
- Co-sell alignment – AWS frequently introduces changes to marketplace and co-sell programs, funding models, and revenue recognition rules that influence partner pipelines.
- Ecosystem visibility – High-quality buyers, executives, and AWS field teams gather in one place. For marketplace sellers, this drives awareness and deal acceleration.
- Strategic clarity – Partners leave with a sharper understanding of where AWS is investing and how to align product, GTM, and service offerings.
What’s The Agenda
| Day | Timings | Key Activities (with Venues) |
| Sunday, Nov 30 | 7:00 AM onward
10:00 AM to 8:00 PM 12:00 PM |
• Badge pick-up at Harry Reid International Airport.
• Badge pick-up and help desk at Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, and The Venetian. • Midday Madness kicks off at Caesars Forum. |
| Monday, Dec 1 | 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM
7:00 to 9:00 AM 8:00 AM to ~7:00 PM 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM Afternoon 4:00 to 7:00 PM |
• Badge pick-up and help desk at Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, and The Venetian.
• Breakfast at Caesars Forum, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, The Venetian, and Wynn. • Sessions across all venues. • Lunch at Caesars Forum, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, The Venetian, and Wynn. • Midday Madness plus expo opening. • Welcome Reception and The Expo at The Venetian. |
| Tuesday, Dec 2 | 6:30 AM
6:30 to 8:00 AM 8:00 to 10:30 AM ~10:00 AM onward 6:00 to 8:00 PM 6:00 to 8:00 PM |
• Badge pick-up and help desks open at all main venues.
• Breakfast at Caesars Forum, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, The Venetian, and Wynn. • Opening Keynote with Matt Garman. • Expo and Sports Forum (The Venetian Expo). • Sessions continue throughout the day. • Networking receptions at multiple venues. |
| Wednesday, Dec 3 | 7:00 to 9:00 AM
8:30 to 10:30 AM Until ~6:30 PM 3:00 to 4:30 PM |
• Breakfast and certification lounge access.
• Keynote: The Future of Agentic AI is Here at The Venetian. • Sessions across all venues. • Keynote: Partnership Advantage at The Venetian. • Expo and networking continue into the evening. |
| Thursday, Dec 4 | Morning
9:00 to 10:30 AM Until ~5:30 PM 7:30 PM |
• Help desks and breakfast at all major venues.
• Keynote: Infrastructure Innovations at The Venetian. • Sessions through late afternoon. • re:Play Party at Las Vegas Festival Grounds. |
| Friday, Dec 5 | 7:00 to 9:00 AM
8:00 AM to 12:30 PM |
• Breakfast at major venues. • Final session block across all venues. |
What Sessions Should Partners Attend
It can be overwhelming to pick which sessions you need to attend. So, we’ve noted down some important ones that you may not want to miss.
- Opening keynote by Matt Garman – Tuesday, Dec 2, 8:00 to 10:30 AM
- Partnership Advantage at The Venetian – Wednesday, Dec 3, 3:00 to 4:30 PM
AWS re: Invent catalog also has a list of workshops you can attend, find the details here.
What to Expect
Marketplace-centric Announcements
AWS continues to push the marketplace as a primary route for software buying. Partners should expect improvements in procurement workflows, listing experiences, automation, and integrations. Last year, AWS announced ‘Buy with AWS,’ which lets ISVs and channel partners embed purchase buttons on their websites to streamline sales using AWS credentials.
Stronger Co-selling Mechanisms
AWS usually refines how partners collaborate with field sellers. This often includes updates to incentives, attribution, opportunity workflow, and how SaaS sellers retire quota. These changes influence how partners design GTM motions.
re:Invent 2024 surprised us all with extended co-sell benefits. Some of the critical updates were:
- SaaS Revenue Recognition benefit to be extended to all ISVs, including eligible startups, starting January 2025.
- AWS to grant quota retirement to sellers who co-sell SaaS solutions with any ISV Accelerate Partner on private offers transacted through AWS Marketplace.
Deeper Integrations Across AI, Data, and DevOps Tools
AWS uses re:Invent to highlight partner integrations with new services, especially in AI and automation. Partners should be ready to position themselves in these areas with clear value propositions.
High-value Meetings
For marketplace sellers, re:Invent is a concentrated environment for customer conversations. Decision makers attend with real budgets and active projects. AWS teams also schedule partner reviews, roadmap discussions, and deal acceleration sessions.
Competitive visibility
With so many ISVs and consulting partners present, re:Invent offers a clear view of competitive positioning. Messaging, packaging, and sales motions become easier to refine after seeing how others present themselves.
Who You Should Meet
Some important AWS Marketplace and Partner leaders you should meet:
- Chris Grusz – Managing Director, Technology Partnerships
- Matt Yanchyshyn – VP, AWS Marketplace & Partner Services
- Ruba Borno – AWS Global Specialists and Partners
- Karthik Balakrishnan – General Manager, AWS Marketplace International Expansion
How to Prepare
Preparation determines partner value:
- Finalise your meeting list early, including AWS field teams, BD teams, and priority customers.
- Refine your marketplace messaging so buyers quickly understand pricing, value, and differentiation.
- Study last year’s partner announcements to anticipate shifts.
- Prepare talk tracks for co-sell motions and joint offerings.
- Bring collateral that supports conversations with enterprise buyers.
- Plan logistics carefully so you can move efficiently between partner lounges, expo sessions, and AWS meetings.
Some Tips For A Comfortable Stay
- Pack several pairs of comfortable shoes—there’s going to be plenty of walking.
- While breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided, bring electrolytes and light munchies to stay energized as you move between venues.
- Shuttles run regularly, but many visitors recommend taking cabs when traveling between resorts or event locations.
- Bring warm coats; Vegas nights can get surprisingly chilly.
- Don’t forget lip balm—it’s extremely dry there.
- Keep hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes handy since you’ll be meeting lots of people and want to avoid catching anything.
Meet Us At re:Invent
Labra’s going to be at re:Invent this year. Meet us if you want to talk cloud marketplaces, co-selling, and partnerships.
We recently announced SmartGTM, Labra’s very own AI Agent, your end-to-end assistant for modern Cloud GTM and Marketplace selling.
With SmartGTM, you can:
- Ask any question and get clear, actionable answers. Let the Agent complete tasks, not just explain them.
- See the critical actions required to move your deal to the next stage.
- Stay focused with AI-powered daily to-do lists that tell you exactly what to tackle.
- Identify which accounts are most likely to close and prioritize them with confidence.
- Anticipate buyer activity across AWS, Microsoft, and Google Cloud Marketplaces, and the likelihood of purchase for each.
- Act decisively with smart signals that show you what to do next, and why.
We will be demoing SmartGTM at re:Invent. Book your spot here: https://calendly.com/nikita-b-labra/re-invent
Security, Sips & Secrets with Trellix at AWS re:Invent
Labra is teaming up with Trellix to host a welcome party before re:Invent – a private evening designed for leaders who want a clear view of where cloud security and AI are heading next.
Expect sharp insights, honest conversations, and a relaxed setting to meet industry peers.
📅 Dec 1, 7:00 to 10:00 PM PST
📍 minus5 ICEBAR and 1923 Prohibition Bar @ The Venetian Resort
Closing Thoughts
For partners and marketplace leaders, re:Invent is a strategic inflexion point.
- It clarifies AWS priorities.
- It reshapes how partners engage customers.
- It unlocks new marketplace opportunities and co-sell pathways.
Meet Labra at AWS re:Invent. Book a meeting here.
