August, 2025 (#24) - "7 Pitfalls of Cloud Architecture"

Tēnā Koutou AWS Christchurch Community,

Overview:
Welcome back to the AWS User Group Christchurch Meetup Series.
We've all been there - following the AWS guides, everything looks good, then reality hits. Craig Bensemann is here to share 7 cloud architecture pitfalls that go beyond what's covered in Quick Start documentation. Come for the war stories, stay for the practical advice on building more resilient systems."

Venue details:
Special gratitude to MadeCurious for providing the venue for the event.
100 Carlyle Street, Sydenham, Christchurch 8023

Agenda:
5:30 PM - Doors Open, Networking
6:00 PM - Talk Track – Craig Bensemann - “Exploring 7 common pitfalls in cloud architecture"
7:00 PM - Wrap Up, Networking, Fun, Pizza

Meetup Talk Track:

🎤 Speaker Craig Bensemann: 7 Pitfalls of Cloud Architecture: What They Don't Put in the AWS Quick Start Guides
AWS Quick Start guides get you running, but what about the gotchas that hit later? Craig shares 7 real-world pitfalls that catch teams after deployment - from surprise costs to operational complexity that wasn't in the plan.
Drawing from actual project experience, he'll explore common traps and what successful teams do differently. Whether you're planning a migration or optimising existing systems, you'll learn to spot warning signs and make smarter architectural choices.
Bottom line: Build systems your team can confidently operate, even at 2AM.

About the Speaker:

1. Craig Bensemann, Software development manager with 20+ years of experience in Java, CI/CD, and cloud infrastructure. He specialises in large-scale modernisation projects and has recently led significant migrations for NZQA and CrescoNet. Craig combines technical depth with pragmatic leadership to help teams deliver resilient, lasting systems.

We look forward to seeing you at the meetup! Mā te wa.