AWS Community Day Mexico Builders App

A cloud-native platform for AWS Community Day events. It uses a React frontend and serverless AWS backend to automate event management, attendee engagement, and sponsor tracking for all users.

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AWS Community Day event management platform

Background

AWS Community Day events previously faced common conference challenges: lengthy check-in processes, manual attendee management, and inefficient sponsor engagement tracking. The check-in process involved searching through spreadsheets and hand-writing badges, which could take several minutes per attendee. Sponsor interactions were tracked using paper cards and stickers, creating data collection and management difficulties.

Solution Overview

The AWS Community Day App Ecosystem was developed as a cloud-based platform to digitize event management processes. The system includes:

  • Digital Check-in: Attendees receive QR codes upon registration. Scanning at entry triggers automatic badge printing with names and unique identification codes.
  • Sponsor Interaction Tracking: Sponsors scan attendee badges to record visits digitally, collect contact information (with consent), and add notes.
  • Web Application: A mobile-responsive platform manages agendas, session reservations, and sponsor interactions.

Technical Architecture

The platform uses a serverless architecture on AWS:

Infrastructure

  • AWS CDK with TypeScript for infrastructure as code
  • Separate environments for development, staging, and production

Backend Services

  • AWS AppSync for GraphQL API with real-time subscriptions
  • AWS Lambda functions (TypeScript) for business logic
  • Amazon DynamoDB for data storage
  • Amazon Cognito for user authentication and role management

Frontend

  • React with TypeScript for attendee application and display systems
  • Cloudscape Design System for user interface components

Integrations

  • Eventbrite for ticketing
  • Twilio for SMS notifications
  • Custom Go service for label printer communication

Technical Challenges

Data Synchronization Maintaining consistent real-time updates across multiple devices required careful implementation of GraphQL subscriptions and data caching strategies.

System Integration Connecting external services like Eventbrite and Twilio necessitated robust error handling and data synchronization mechanisms.

Hardware Communication Developing the Go-based printer service required addressing physical device communication alongside cloud services.

Project Scope The platform expanded from a check-in application to a comprehensive event management system, requiring coordination across multiple components and services.

Results

The platform replaced manual processes with automated systems, reducing check-in times and improving data collection accuracy. The digital approach provided sponsors with structured attendee interaction data and eliminated paper-based tracking methods. The system architecture supports future enhancements and can scale to accommodate larger events.

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