Santa Cruz’s tech community continues to flourish, thanks to the dedication and leadership of Chris Miller, who has built the Santa Cruz AWS User Group into a thriving and dynamic meetup. Recently, the group set a new record with 43 RSVPs and an impressive 50% attendance rate, reflecting its growing influence and the hunger for cloud knowledge in the region.

One of the most exciting trends Chris has observed is the influx of UCSC students who are eager to engage with AWS and cloud computing outside of campus. This growth is no accident—building a successful user group takes time, strategy, and a commitment to keeping events engaging. From deconstructing projects to live coding demonstrations, Chris has found the secret sauce to making AWS meetups educational, interactive, and accessible to all experience levels.

Lessons from Chris’s Journey

Chris has learned a few key lessons in running a successful user group:

• Don’t go it alone! Having a team is essential.

• Entry-level content is in high demand—beginners need a starting point.

• Attendees fit into four main personas: students, developers, sysadmins, and business professionals.

• Live coding is a hit, but having slides to reinforce learning helps.

• Sharing materials and examples allows attendees to apply their knowledge at home.

• Hybrid meetups require extra effort but broaden impact.

• Organization is key: agenda, house rules, feedback surveys, and name tags make a difference!

A Community Effort

Chris is the first to acknowledge that this success is a team effort. He extends deep gratitude to those who have helped make the AWS User Group a success:

• Bjorn Jones, who promotes events via the Santa Cruz Public Libraries and handles hybrid Zoom logistics.

• Doug Erickson & Malina Long of Santa Cruz Works, who actively support and promote the group.

• Harlen Lee & Ashleigh Collum for providing space and resources at NextSpace Coworking + Innovation.

• The AWS User Groups community, including María Encinar & Wesley Faulkner, for their continuous support.

• The AWS Amplify Team and AWS Developer Relations Team, who provide valuable content and guidance.

• Members of the AWS Heroes community and the AWS Community teams for connecting Chris with key people and resources.

Chris’s passion for knowledge-sharing and community-building has turned the Santa Cruz AWS User Group into a must-attend event for local cloud enthusiasts. As the group continues to grow, it remains a testament to the power of collaboration, curiosity, and community. Congratulations, Chris, on building something truly remarkable!