There is no toilet on ZOOM

Reinventing Conferences for the Digital Age

Many discussions and conversations today revolve around what the future of conferences and meetings will be like. Almost every day Fabian and myself discuss with partners how and to what extent virtualization can be used by organizations. We advise companies on how to create added value through video conferences, webcasts and so on. It's all there. Yes! There is added value. Yes! There are opportunities. 

What I am missing deeply.

It is said that the most important thing about conferences are the breaks. And although I strongly believe in the importance of careful curation, I think that is true. So one thing is forgotten when we reflect on virtual conferences and it is the key difference between virtual and physical meetings: 

There is no queue in front of the WC

What does that mean? At online conferences there is no room for coincidence, no opportunities for serendipity. No encounters in the queue at the bar for a beer. No random exchanges on the way to the toilet. No conversation during the break that opens new horizons and perspectives. No beginning of relationships. No flirting with the person sitting next to you. No memories of shared experiences that we have experienced with all our senses. Because chance is locked out. 

As a company, we believe in the value of encounters. The linden tree stands for this moment. 

It is therefore good that the world is opening up again and that encounters become possible soon. It is good that we can open ourselves and get in physical contact with others - serendipity needs curated opportunities. I am longing to feel this sensory overload again. Or as Mark Shayler and the incredible guys from the Do Lectures put it:

Interesting things happen when you do interesting things. 

These observations make me wonder: how can we design spaces to provide more opportunities to feel and experience serendipity in the virtual space? Curious to hear your perspectives!