The Power of Human Connection: The Benefits of In-person Events
At M&IW, we believe in the power of human connection. In fact, that’s our theme for the 2025 M&IW Summit! Events centered around building relationships resonate the most with attendees and leave a positive, lasting impression. While virtual events still have their place and come with their own unique benefits, M&IW’s track record of impactful events has proven that in-person events create stronger, longer lasting connections.
There are many reasons why, for corporate events, in-person is preferred. For some, it’s simply status quo or a way to get away from the office, but there are tangible business benefits as well. If you’re not considering these factors during the planning process, you’re leaving countless opportunities for connection on the table. Let’s dive into the top benefits of in-person meetings and events.
Five Benefits of In-person Events
Stronger Networking and Relationships
Face-to-face communication has been proven time and again to lead to deeper connections than virtual communication. At in-person events, relationship building already has an advantage because you know fellow attendees have similar interests or business needs as you and your organization. Whether it’s a customer meeting a potential supplier or remote employees participating in in-person teambuilding, face-to-face events result in greater trust and loyalty and longer-lasting partnerships.
In-person networking also extends to direct interaction with the presenters, which doesn’t always happen with virtual events. Attendees can meet with speakers after their presentation to ask questions in real time or dive deeper into a topic. Also, the presentations themselves can be more interactive, such as hands-on workshops, small-group discussions, or Q&As that don’t require reading comments on a screen.
Clearer Communication
When it comes to communication, there’s always an opportunity for misinterpretation. However, in-person events lend themselves to clearer communication compared to virtual events. From a technical perspective, you don’t have to worry about the strength of attendees’ internet connection, whether a speaker is unmuted, or if your tech is glitching.
From a personal perspective, nonverbal cues like body language, facial expression, and tone of voice contribute to clearer, more meaningful conversations. There are some things that just can’t be conveyed digitally, like the warmth in someone’s voice or the firmness of their handshake.
When verbal and nonverbal cues align, they create deeper connections by increasing trust, clarity, and rapport. Plus, if miscommunication or misunderstandings occur, questions are asked and answered in real time, ensuring everyone is on the same page— no back-and-forth emails or phone tag required.
Higher Attendee Engagement
Because you can capture and hold attendees’ attention easier, in-person events see higher attendee engagement than virtual. In general, when attendees are more engaged, they’re more likely to retain information. The better the agenda, the greater the impact and the longer lasting the memories.
Even if attendees don’t remember every session or the specific content, your company culture, mission, and values will still stand out in their mind. Maximize your event’s impact by designing events with immersive experiences and unique venues, and showcase the local culture if applicable. These all build unique memories that excite attendees and establish positive associations with your organization.
Brand-building Opportunities
In-person events are the perfect time to walk the talk when it comes to your company culture and brand. When attendees interact with the event team and company representatives, they experience firsthand the values, energy, and personality of the organization. Every experience communicates a company’s identity and culture. It can be overt, like the CEO giving a welcome message on stage, or more subtle, like the tone of conversations, the way staff engage with attendees, or the overall atmosphere created by the event itself.
Even the content and session formats can help reinforce your brand. For example, a company that emphasizes creativity might host hands-on workshops, while a tech company might showcase its products in interactive demonstrations. These experiences not only highlight the company’s offerings but also demonstrate how those offerings align with its values and mission. Attendees leave with a clearer understanding of what the brand stands for and how it differentiates itself from competitors, ultimately leading to stronger brand recognition and loyalty.
The Element of Surprise
In-person events often offer more spontaneous opportunities for interaction, such as during breaks, meals, or informal discussions, where attendees can connect on a more personal level. This can inspire collaborative brainstorming, spark new ideas and solutions, and lead to unexpected relationships.
The possibility of the unexpected also lends an air of excitement to in-person events. An event agenda can tell you what sessions to attend and what topics will be covered, but it can’t tell you who you’ll meet or what points of view other attendees will bring to the table that you hadn’t considered before. Those are the moments that inspire attendees and keep them coming back year over year.
Future Connections
Join our mailing list or follow us on LinkedIn as we continue to explore The Power of Human Connection leading up to the 2025 M&IW Summit. Future blog posts will explore in-person event trends for 2025, how to create connections at virtual events, and more.
To experience the M&IW difference with your meetings, events, and incentives, contact us to get started. Interested in joining the M&IW team? View our open positions.