Yet again, an in-person event reminded me of the why we gather.

When Marjorie invited me to talk about “Monetization (Community-Business Value and Strategy)” at the first version of the Community Leaders Institute Expo (#CLIX), I said “yes, or course” (because Marjorie), but I confess my mind went like: “what a logistic endeavor to fly all the way to Memphis, sleep in a hotel room, and not be able to just close my laptop after the talk to brew my own coffee.”

Today, I’m back to NY with post-conference nostalgia.

Yet again, I was inspired by the power of cozy conversations with people we share mission, challenges and goals with.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to discuss the future of community face-to-face with many who are part of building it; one of the main insights being the need to be more collaborative and welcome competition as a way to level us all up.

As community professionals, our main threat is the lack of awareness, clarity and metrics about the impact of community to business. As the industry grows, opportunities grow for all. To establish community as a vibrant industry, we need us all. We need more people talking about it, creating solutions and software for it.

Yet again, I’m reminded that community building is like the meals in the Thanksgiving dinner: people gather to eat, but what really matters are the conversations around the table (credit: Hugh MASON)

🍜 It was a pleasure to shake hands and break bread with brilliant minds I’d met only behind the screen, and meeting new ones who already feel like friends.

🌈 Share diverse perspectives with Shana Sumers and Adrian Speyer on a panel led by Heidi Williams about the future trends of community (web3, DI&E, technology for data and platforms)

🙋🏽‍♀️ It was a pleasure to give a talk and see people face to face, gather the energy in the room and pace the conversation accordingly;

–Laís de Oliveira, Author of Hacking Communities, Mentor, Entrepreneur, On Deck