Organizing AWS Student Community Day (SCD) in Peshawar, where cloud adoption is still emerging, was both challenging and rewarding—especially executing it for the very first time under tight constraints. Cloud computing is not yet as commonly pursued here as AI or web development, so awareness itself was the first hurdle.
Here’s what we learned from planning and executing AWS SCD Peshawar from scratch.
Pre-Event Initiatives
Before the main SCD, we hosted an AWS Cloud Quest event. Many students in the region were new to cloud computing, so this initiative helped them gain basic knowledge and confidence before attending the main event.
The pre-event activity not only prepared attendees for technical sessions but also increased engagement, as participants were already familiar with AWS concepts and more comfortable asking questions during SCD.
Lesson Learned:
Providing introductory sessions or preparatory events ensures your audience can actively participate, which significantly enhances overall event impact.
Marketing & Outreach
Marketing can make or break a community event. We kept our design theme cultural yet modern, making it relevant to the region while aligning with AWS branding. Community partnerships played a massive role. While we had some connections within AWS Cloud Clubs, reaching communities across Pakistan required extra effort, such as:
- Cold DMs on LinkedIn
- Leveraging mutual connections
- Direct outreach
Tip: Always define partnership terms and conditions clearly from the start.
Another important lesson was communication. Meetup was our primary platform, but many people do not RSVP there even if they plan to attend. Awareness needed to extend beyond a single platform.
Marketing structure that worked:
- Main poster reveal
- Light/funny content to build interest
- Community partnership announcements
- Agenda explanation posts
- Speaker introductions
- Supplementary posters
- Speaker video shoutouts
- Schedule reveal
- Live posting during the event
- Post-event recaps
A structured campaign makes a huge difference in building momentum and keeping the audience engaged.
# AWS Student Community: How to Plan One From Scratch
Planning the Event
Ideally, planning should start at least one month before the event, right after approval. Swags, in particular, take time.
Due to internal conflicts, we had only two weeks to execute everything. What helped most was making the best of what we had.
- We sought help from experienced mentors - Hash Computing Ltd, their partnership was a crucial part in making the event a success.
- Partnered with a company to cover gaps
- Took 15–20 volunteers on board to distribute the workload
Tip: If you have enough time, less is more. A smaller, well-coordinated team is often more efficient and easier to manage.
Venue & Logistics Lessons
- Always verify venue capacity firsthand
- Keep written/email confirmation for everything
- Have a backup venue option
- For large audiences, consider additional display screens (SMD) or a live camera feed
- Enhance the space with professional touches (decor, photo booths, hall arrangements)
Above all, lead like a community leader. Be empathetic, but firm when needed.
Adding Diversity & Parallel Tracks
To make the event more engaging and inclusive, we focused on diversity in multiple ways:
- Gender representation among speakers
- Variety in session topics
Sessions included:
- Using cloud technologies in real-world projects
- Starting a career in cloud computing
- Excelling in freelancing
- Launching a startup
We also hosted a panel discussion, strategically placed in the middle of the event to create a lighter, interactive moment.
Extra engagement:
We incorporated a campus-level startup competition in collaboration with Hult Prize. Winners advanced to the national stage, generating extra hype and attracting a new audience segment.
Lesson Learned:
Design content diversity and strategic parallel tracks to enhance inclusivity and engagement—but avoid overcomplicating the event.
Speaker Management & Scheduling
- Allocate 20–25 minutes per speaker
- Reserve 7–10 minutes for Q&A
- Keep a 30–45 minute buffer for delays
Additional considerations:
- Swag distribution mid-event to build excitement
- Lunch timing to maintain energy
- Kahoot or interactive activities to engage attendees
Lesson Learned:
Good planning is important, but flexibility in real time is crucial for maintaining energy and engagement.
Ticketing Strategy
Paid tickets usually improve attendance. Since this was the first mega AWS event in Peshawar, we kept it free, resulting in 35–40% no-shows.
During the Event
- Have 2–3 extra rooms for speaker prep, material storage, and volunteer rest
- Assign specific roles: speaker coordination, social media, recording, hall management, lunch/logistics, hosting
- Use WhatsApp groups for real-time updates and coordination
- Start and end on time
- Monitor audience energy and adjust practically
- Make sure to adapt the schedule in real-time, you can remove or add as needed even during the event if the need arises.
Tip: Think ideally when planning, and practically when executing.
Post-Event
- Host a post-event dinner with speakers for informal networking
- Follow up with speakers and community partners
- Engage with attendees’ social media posts to reinforce community
Measuring Success Beyond Attendance
Success is not just about headcount. Key indicators include:
- Engagement and questions asked
- Conversations started
- Attendees inspired to explore cloud further
- Post-event feedback and social media interactions
Final Reflection:
Organizing AWS SCD Peshawar was a leadership and learning experience. Community building is about adaptability, empathy, and intent—not perfection.
Key Takeaways
- Start Early, But Adapt: One month in advance is ideal, but be flexible.
- Pre-Event Preparation Matters: Introductory events like AWS Cloud Quest improve engagement.
- Structured Marketing Matters: Phase-based campaigns build momentum.
- Less Is More with Volunteers: Small, well-coordinated teams work best.
- Verify Everything: Venue, equipment, and logistics must be confirmed firsthand.
- Ensure Diversity: Gender, session topics, and tracks improve inclusivity.
- Strategic Session Placement: Panels, swag, and lunch breaks maintain energy.
- Don’t Overcomplicate: Only add tracks or activities if manageable.
- Attention to Small Details: Camera zooms, SMD screens, photo booths, and Kahoot enhance experience.
- Audience Engagement Over Numbers: Focus on interaction, not headcount.
- Practical Execution Beats Ideal Plans: Stay practical during the event.
- Follow-Up Strengthens Community: Post-event dinners and social engagement extend impact.
- Learning Comes from Doing: Imperfect execution is better than waiting for perfect conditions.
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