tech
Where tech leaders now choose to meet
For a long time, tech events were built around scale. The bigger the crowd, the stronger the perception of success. Attendance numbers became a proxy for impact, and festivals grew year after year because that was what the industry expected.
TL;DR
- Tech events historically focused on scale, with attendance numbers as a proxy for success.
- Current tech leaders prioritize environments that lead to insight, clarity, and decisions, rather than just visibility.
- Small, curated rooms foster open sharing, faster partnerships, and quicker decision-making due to natural trust formation.
- Large conferences can introduce new voices and create energy but are no longer the primary venues for serious business.
- Senior decision-makers are reducing attendance at large events, opting for closed discussions and carefully selected gatherings.
- Event strategies often still chase growth and reach, while leaders are quietly changing their behavior and prioritizing valuable interactions.
- Events optimized for volume will struggle to attract senior leaders as the criteria for meetings have shifted.