Free Agency 📈 Vol. 29 - Convening is the most important aspect of a modern media company. It's also one of the hardest to execute.

In a world drowning in digital content, the power to gather people physically has become the ultimate competitive edge. The global events industry hit $1.3 trillion in 2023, yet according to Forrester Research, only 5% of professional gatherings create lasting impact beyond their runtime. While anyone with a venue and a budget can host an event, building a true convening—a gathering with gravity that transforms industries and careers—requires something deeper.

The data is compelling: EventMB's 2024 study found that attendees at meaningful convenings are 3.4x more likely to maintain relationships formed there, and the Harvard Business Review reports companies with successful community-building events see 65% higher customer retention rates. As digital fatigue intensifies (with Americans now spending 7.4 hours daily on screens), creating transformative in-person experiences has become the new media moat that technology alone cannot replicate.