I think our industry places too much emphasis on conferences in an era where there are amazing tools to congregate online and find like minded people. I am not suggesting that face to face meetings aren’t important, they are critical. But schmoozefests at fancy resorts aren’t the kinds of face to face meetings I want to do.

And ‘by invitation only’ or high priced events are particularly bad in my mind. The most interesting people you can meet are the outsiders, the up and comers, and the hackers who can’t afford to lay out $4000 to attend an event and are never going to get an invite to an event where you have to know somebody or “be somebody” to get in. So I avoid those most of all.

I saw this quote today on Fred Wilson’s blog and it just hit me. Right now, working in an industry focused around social media I feel like there are conferences, panels, meetups, tweetups, camps…you name it, something EVERY week.

I guess for those who are making a shift into this industry or have that overwhelming feeling that they have to attend EVERYTHING to learn—rest assure that you don’t. The information you want to know can be found in other ways.

Sure, going to events are definitely important as face to face interaction (aka–get off your damn computer, go outside and meet someone) helps foster relationships and network you to many opportunities.

But, at many events, the same people show up. Many become friends and it’s great to see them, but from a business perspective—the stuff and people you want to meet are not necessarily the ones at every event. They’re the ones at home building the next technology. The ones having private dinners with CMOs from big brands doing big things. They’re the ones who are having their own smaller meetups to discuss the next thing with 3 or 4 people who are going to change the way we think. I agree with what Fred says, the outsiders and up and comers are the ones you want to meet.

Now of course, being one of the organizers for Digital DUMBO, one could say that I promote the very thing that I’m saying is what you shouldn’t be doing. I’m not. I don’t expect everyone to come to the event. Trust me, I absolutely LOVE meeting tons of new people but I don’t want it to become an event without a purpose. The goal is to bring together the Digital DUMBO community, have them interact, share ideas and maybe throw some work around. We’ve been very lucky with the success of it and are continuing to figure out ways to make it “not another networking event.”

In Kelly Samardak’s recent Just an Online Minute column recapping the event, I was extremely proud of her comment.

“There are a lot of britches at DigitalDUMBO drinkups, but nobody acts too big for them — and that’s 100% the reason why no matter how crusty I feel, I will always make the trip across the river to play.”

That’s how all events should be. You should feel equal. Interested. Motivated and excited. You should go to things because you have a purpose for being there, can bring something to the table and have a good time doing it. Don’t go to go. Go because you want to. If you’re not really into the event, it’s OK to pass. That time can be put to doing something that can change the exciting and growing world that we’re in right now.

I think our industry places too much emphasis on conferences in an era where there are amazing tools to congregate online and find like minded people. I am not suggesting that face to face meetings aren’t important, they are critical. But schmoozefests at fancy resorts aren’t the kinds of face to face meetings I want to do.

And ‘by invitation only’ or high priced events are particularly bad in my mind. The most interesting people you can meet are the outsiders, the up and comers, and the hackers who can’t afford to lay out $4000 to attend an event and are never going to get an invite to an event where you have to know somebody or “be somebody” to get in. So I avoid those most of all.

I saw this quote today on Fred Wilson’s blog and it just hit me. Right now, working in an industry focused around social media I feel like there are conferences, panels, meetups, tweetups, camps…you name it, something EVERY week.

I guess for those who are making a shift into this industry or have that overwhelming feeling that they have to attend EVERYTHING to learn—rest assure that you don’t. The information you want to know can be found in other ways.

Sure, going to events are definitely important as face to face interaction (aka–get off your damn computer, go outside and meet someone) helps foster relationships and network you to many opportunities.

But, at many events, the same people show up. Many become friends and it’s great to see them, but from a business perspective—the stuff and people you want to meet are not necessarily the ones at every event. They’re the ones at home building the next technology. The ones having private dinners with CMOs from big brands doing big things. They’re the ones who are having their own smaller meetups to discuss the next thing with 3 or 4 people who are going to change the way we think. I agree with what Fred says, the outsiders and up and comers are the ones you want to meet.

Now of course, being one of the organizers for Digital DUMBO, one could say that I promote the very thing that I’m saying is what you shouldn’t be doing. I’m not. I don’t expect everyone to come to the event. Trust me, I absolutely LOVE meeting tons of new people but I don’t want it to become an event without a purpose. The goal is to bring together the Digital DUMBO community, have them interact, share ideas and maybe throw some work around. We’ve been very lucky with the success of it and are continuing to figure out ways to make it “not another networking event.”

In Kelly Samardak’s recent Just an Online Minute column recapping the event, I was extremely proud of her comment.

“There are a lot of britches at DigitalDUMBO drinkups, but nobody acts too big for them — and that’s 100% the reason why no matter how crusty I feel, I will always make the trip across the river to play.”

That’s how all events should be. You should feel equal. Interested. Motivated and excited. You should go to things because you have a purpose for being there, can bring something to the table and have a good time doing it. Don’t go to go. Go because you want to. If you’re not really into the event, it’s OK to pass. That time can be put to doing something that can change the exciting and growing world that we’re in right now.