AWS re:Invent 2025 - How Builder Cards Raised the Tech Community Bar and Scaled Up UG Members

In this session, we will share how we introduced AWS Builder Cards to the China developer community — from localization and event design to engagement results, challenges, and our response strategies. We will walk through our journey of turning Builder Cards from a fun concept into one of the hottest trends in China’s tech community.

Our goal is to share real-world experiences with fellow User Group Leaders worldwide and inspire them to bring Builder Cards to their local communities — helping scale User Group members, reinvent games with AWS, and build meaningful connections across global tech communities.

Transcript

1. How Builder Cards Raised China’s Tech Community Bar and Scaled the UG Members Xiaofei Li Shaoyi Li (He/Him) (He/Him) User Group China Leader User Group China Leader 12/8/2025
2. <Placeholder Text> Agenda ▪ Introduction ▪ Launch Background in China ▪ Localization Journey & Results Delivery ▪ Challenges & Solutions ▪ Takeaways and Future Plan
3. Introduction
4. Introduction Xiaofei Li : Community Builder and AWS UG Leader. Founder of the Builder Card Chinese Localization Project. Shaoyi Li: AWS Hero and AWS UG China Leader. Founded largest online AWS community in China with 9k members. Founder of the Amarathon.
5. Launch Background in China
6. Launch Background in China Community Activity Status 80% of UG leaders requested interactive resources to learn AWS Many participants in UG events are not yet familiar with AWS Demand Need solutions that gets builders involved and get interacted. Local builders prefer practical, game-based content Language/Cultural Barriers English content and technical terms are challenging for Chinese Builders Different community engagement patterns in China Motivation Scale AWS UG members, especially AWS Builders in 2025 Align with 'Learn, Build, Share' value Passion-driven: Pass the same joy and inspiration to other builders Branding constraints (service names, AWS logo usage, etc.)
7. Localization Journey & Results
8. Localization Journey Localization Process ▪ Content localization: Chinese translations of AWS services and programming proverbs with Chinese cultural elements ▪ Ensure that the translated content complies with local brand guidelines. ▪ Builder Mindset: Develop Chinese Handbook website and Tutorial Videos to help builders onboard.
9. Localization Journey ▪ Different Event Formats: ▪ Primary Events (Flagship Events): • Shanghai Summit • Community Day Beijing and Shenzhen User Group (UG) Meetups: • City-based Meetups Self-service Applications (Experimental Project): • Online Registration Form ▪ ▪ Third-party Events: • LEGO Developer Gatherings • Shenzhen Board Game Bar • More partners to come………… Assign on-site Volunteers to streamline game experience ▪
10. Results Delivered & Impact 1347+ local builders Played Builder Cards, 95% user satisfaction rate 8 community events organized from June to October in 2025 On the shoulder of AWS Summit Shanghai, 300 members joined the Builder Cards UG group in only two days Inspired multiple global/local giant tech companies in China to develop their builder cards
11. Challenges & Solutions
12. Challenges & Solutions Overcoming Local Difficulties 01 Challenge 1: Language barriers → Solution: Localized Chinese Version with Chinese elements 02 Challenge 2: Not familiar with the game rules and AWS → Solution: Assign one volunteer instructor per table and develop Chinese training materials. 04 Challenge 4: High-frequency Board Game Meetups → Solution: Developer obsessed: simplify rules based on builders background as needed. 03 Challenge 3: Raise Builder Card awareness and impact → Solution: Use UG’s community resources, AWS events and partners to drive localization.
13. Takeaways and Future Plan
14. Key Takeaways and Future Plan Key takeaways • Integrate builder cards across different AWS events • Use social platforms smartly for training, discussion, self-services, etc Future plan • Double the UG cities by 2026 • Empower gamified AWS learning using agentic AI • Continue localizing the expand edition package. • Engage more AWS Partners to co-host regional activities • Localize with local culture, popular memes and brand guidelines • Builder Mindset matters, Invent and Simplify
15. Thank you! AWS User Group China LinkedIn: AWS User Group China Twitch: AWSCNUG Twitter/X: CNUG