You know the drill. The lanyard at the door, the polite smile as you queue for coffee that’s somehow both boiling and bland, the panel that sounds promising but ends up skimming the surface. A room full of people doing their best “I’m listening” nod while secretly checking the time.
It’s not that these events don’t serve a purpose (news flash, they actually do) but they’re built to keep everything neat and contained. Same format, same lighting, same conversations on repeat. And while order can feel safe, it rarely makes space for the kind of messy, unpredictable moments where real breakthroughs happen.
These events aren’t worthless — far from it. They’re handy for swapping a few business cards and grabbing a dose of quick inspiration. But they’re built for structure, not surprise. The agenda rules the day, the conversations stay boxed and there’s not much space for anything truly unplanned to unfold.