We gave a lightning talk at the AWS Summit in Sydney 2024.
Tags: aws, awssummit, kubernetes, eks
Published: 2024-04-27 07:38:54


Have you heard about AWS Summits? I attended the AWS Summit in Sydney for the second time with my wife, following my attendance at AWS Summit Singapore in 2019.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/0gr2qzwcei67a7gcdghs.jpg)

This year, @geethikaguruge and I presented a session about "Streamlined Deployment to Amazon EKS with Amazon CodeCatalyst" at AWS Summit Sydney. We are honored to represent AWS Community Aotearoa (New Zealand). Thank you [AWS UG Aotearoa](https://awsug.nz/). I would like to thank [Belinda](https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-mckeon/) for giving us this opportunity and also thank [Derek](https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekwbingham/) for all the support he provided. My wife, [Shafwana](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shafwana-shafeek-43b019195/), provided me with all the support I needed to prepare my talk.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/erdmq69j73vdfjksvkzf.jpeg)

### How did Geethika and I prepare for the event?

We both planned our sessions with slides and demos well. We scheduled them a few days every week after dinner to practice and perfect the presentations. Since it was a lightning talk, we had to keep our speeches concise, with no more than 15 minutes. I want to mention the AWS New Voices program. Before the event, I was chosen to be a coach for the program, which provided me with the chance to enhance my public speaking skills while coaching other members of the community. Additionally, I was able to learn from [Meridith Grundei](https://www.linkedin.com/in/meridith/), and I would like to express my gratitude to [Mark Pergola](https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpergola/) for giving me this opportunity.

### Day of the AWS Summit Sydney 2024

Geethika and myself presenting at AWS Summit Sydney


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### Adding more colours to AWS Summit Sydney with @xelfer and [Kristine Howard ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinehoward/)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/akus4qgc9t5b8u1ah1f7.jpeg)

If you are interested in printing the AWS icons pattern, you can check it out on my blog by following the link provided: https://dev.to/aws-builders/level-up-your-aws-community-day-creating-custom-gaming-mats-with-aws-architecture-icons-547n

### Playing AWS BuildersCard Game

Had an amazing time playing BuildersCard Game while learning about AWS Well-Architected Framework with [Shehan Marino Perera](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAjDBiYB8lvznJf-W-122NHppFKsxqR_19Q?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3BM4O4%2F7ZUT2Gq4BMn1DJ8vQ%3D%3D) at AWS Summit Sydney. Thank you [Aileen Lu](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAACIqq-cBRAONOeYo10Zi67QWKvA2XAraHMA?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3BM4O4%2F7ZUT2Gq4BMn1DJ8vQ%3D%3D) [David Heidt](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAg26mMBZUlwv-Ef7glzttDU5xfQmp-tO_0?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_detail_base%3BM4O4%2F7ZUT2Gq4BMn1DJ8vQ%3D%3D).


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/u0af3kgggka0h1r1dmgl.jpeg)


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#### @zachjonesnoel and I gave away some of our swags

With @xelfer and @ssennettau 


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/iz2yp05i4fm3c4v9kes0.jpg)



![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/ntpy1kemwopl9coxhbub.jpg)


### After attending the summit, I attended the ANZ Community Leaders Meetup

First of all, @shafjag, I would like to thank you for organizing such a great event. 

Amazing sessions by [Kris Howard](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinehoward/), [Mike Chambers](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegchambers/) [Scott Friend](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cloudnavig8r/) and [Maria Encinar](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariaencinar/)


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/mhnrjins7uv3uc52cdtn.jpg)


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![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/27njioj5nnap4yc1mvsc.jpg)

### It's all about community

I am proud to be part of the AWS Community Aotearoa (New Zealand) and grateful for the opportunity.