Reasons Why Connecting In-Person is Very Important

I just came home from the 2026 ICD Conference in Toronto. Actually, it was in Mississauga – part of the Toronto area. Going to the annual ICD Conference has been part of my professional life since I became a professional organizer more than 20 years ago. For the last few years, participating in organizing this conference has been my privilege and joy. It means more to me than just securing excellent educational sessions. It’s knowing that my peers, people I know and those I have yet to meet, will benefit from the expert presenters and from the time spent together. There’s no feeling quite like the one I get from walking into the meeting space and seeing familiar faces. Connecting in person, sharing a hug, a handshake, a fist bump, and always a smile adds a personal dimension to what would otherwise be a professional contact.

At the recent conference, I saw some people I hadn’t seen in a few years. I was so happy for the opportunity to reconnect with them. Although technology makes it easy to stay in touch, connecting in person adds dimensions that virtual interaction simply doesn’t provide.

Connecting in Person Strengthens Relationships

You may know someone through Zoom meetings, email exchanges, classes, or social media, but being together changes the relationship. A conversation over coffee or a shared meal lets you get to know the person behind the business rather than simply the professional.

Some of the best conference conversations I’ve had happen over breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There’s no agenda. You can talk about the session you just attended, your work, your family, or something completely unrelated. Those relaxed conversations build relationships and create a sense of belonging to a community of like-minded professionals.

The Conversation Continues After the Session

A speaker may say something that sparks an idea or question. When you’re attending virtually, you don’t always have the opportunity to ask a question or to have it answered in real time. When you attend a conference in person, you can turn to the person sitting beside you and say, “What did you think about that?”

Those spontaneous conversations can deepen learning. Then, you can continue the conversation during the networking time between sessions.

Our Brains Benefit from Connecting in Person

There’s science behind the good feeling we get from spending time together. In his book Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection, neuro-scientist Dr. Ben Rein explains that our brains are wired for connection. He explores how socializing supports our brain health and mood and, importantly, how our brains experience virtual conversations differently from those we have in person.

I understand this. While I use Zoom all the time for meetings, classes, and podcasts, being together in person gives me something different. When I meet someone in person, I notice facial expressions and body language that may not be as obvious on a computer screen. Plus, when I’m attending a conference, there are always chance encounters in the elevator, walking to a conference session, or hanging out in the lounge.

These seemingly insignificant interactions are part of connecting in person. They help us get to know each other as people, not simply as names in a Zoom square or at the bottom of an email.

Connecting in Person Creates a Sense of Belonging and Community

I believe these spontaneous or random encounters help foster a sense of belonging.

Speaking specifically about ICD conferences, I remember the first ICD conference I attended. I was a new ICD subscriber and new to the organizing industry. Walking into a room filled with strangers made me anxious. I was determined, though, because I was so interested in the content of the sessions.

As I looked around for a place to sit, I noticed that most people knew each other. They were excited, everyone was talking at once, and people were sharing big bear hugs. I happened to sit next to Louise Kurzeka. She made me feel at home. Louise told me a little about herself and her business and asked about me and mine. Then she introduced me to some of the people sitting around us.

Before long, no one was a stranger.

Connecting in Person Is Simply More Fun

Laughing together, sharing meals, taking pictures, exploring a new city, and catching up with people you haven’t seen in a year or more creates memories. The decision to attend a conference becomes more than an educational event; it becomes something to look forward to.

It is an opportunity to connect more deeply with peers and learn more about them and their businesses. This can also bring value to your business because it expands your professional network and may lead to future referrals. Referrals from peers to you and from you to those you know, like, and trust.

Another benefit of attending a conference is that the location may be somewhere you want to explore. You can extend your stay, invite your family to join you, and indulge in a little rest and relaxation.

In Conclusion

We can learn from one another online, and I’m grateful that technology gives us that opportunity. But there is something special about being in the same room. Connecting in person gives us time to linger over conversations, laugh together, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships.

Those are the moments that remind me why I continue to make attending the ICD Conference a priority—and also why I believe making time to connect in person is worth the effort. Feel free to contact me if you’d like to know more about the ICD conference.

Diane Quintana Professional Organizer

Diane N. Quintana is a Certified Professional Organizer®, ICD® Master Trainer, owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC, and co-owner of Release Repurpose Reorganize. Based in Atlanta, she specializes in helping clients with ADHD, hoarding behaviors, autism, and chronic disorganization. Diane is the author of five books and a contributor to ICD’s latest publication on chronic disorganization, where she wrote the chapter on Aging. She is the current President of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization and is passionate about teaching practical organizing strategies that stick. Please reach out to Diane today for help with getting your life or business organized.

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