Is face-to-face networking the new black?

After years of avoiding events, is the channel embracing them once more?

We have just completed two successful face-to-face events in partnership with Kaseya - one in Birmingham and one in central London.

Both events - covering opportunities in the MSP market - had over half the registrants actually come along on the day, which is pretty good going considering how reluctant everyone appears to be to leave their office.

One of the executives at Kaseya said they intend to do a lot more face-to-face events because 'the demand is there'.

However much I would love to agree with him - I just know how much effort we have to put in getting people to come to any event.

It is not a case of people battering down our doors, it is often a case of us dragging them there kicking and screaming. Well, maybe I'm being slightly dramatic there.

Annoyingly people always say how glad they are they came and how useful they found the events to be.

So I would adopt a more cautious approach and say that although people are willing to register for events, and might indeed consider coming along - when it comes down to it - the majority will find something else to do - or have a sudden avalanche of work bearing down on them.

Personally I find it a shame - and we on CRN are as guilty of that as everyone - sparing time to attend an event is very difficult indeed - even though the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

So do you agree? Are you more open to coming along to events now or is it harder than ever? It would be great to hear your thoughts.

Someone.........anyone?