Bringing Back In-Person Connections in a Digital Age
We are excited that our events have returned to being in-person! During the times of COVID, we did a great job of continuing our events remotely, and we thank all of our attendees for supporting us by participating online. However, now that life is transitioning to post-COVID times, we hope to take advantage of face-to-face interactions to foster stronger connections within the community. This isn’t to say that being remote doesn’t have its benefits, but holding events in-person has special advantages as well.
Let's begin by exploring the benefits of hosting events remotely, followed by the unique advantages of in-person gatherings.
Advantages of Remote Events
One of our many online seminars we conducted during COVID.
Extend reach to a broader audience
Hosting events online really opened up our reach beyond Silicon Valley. We were able to connect with people from all over the world, sharing valuable resources and information. It's great because folks could easily fit our events into their busy lives, just by tuning in online from wherever they were. Plus, it made it so much more inclusive for people dealing with disabilities or health issues who might find it tough to attend in person. Our initiatives had a wide-reaching impact, making a real difference in the lives of people all around the globe.
Cost-efficiency
Costs on venues, travel, and set-up are cut, freeing up more funds to put toward other expenses. Going digital with remote events not only makes things more efficient but also helps us save on the expenses tied to providing services to the public.
Convenience and adaptability
Setting up events was easier and took less time and resources. The time it would take to set up one in-person event could be used to organize several remote ones. Plus, we could smoothly adjust to unexpected situations without throwing off the entire schedule.
Advantages of In-Person Events
A seminar post-COVID — much more engagement!
Community building
Loneliness became a real struggle for many during COVID. Even though we could chat with friends online, there's just something about being in the same room that you can't replace. Surprisingly, social media, which is supposed to bring people together, often leaves us feeling more isolated. That's where face-to-face interactions come in. They go beyond just talking – they build a bond, a connection that's real and genuine. And that's exactly what we aim for in our foundation – bringing our community closer through events that create those meaningful connections.
Increased engagement
Have you ever attended a meeting online just to switch windows to something else and get distracted? It’s very difficult to resist the temptation, but it’s understandable as screens are filled with so many distractions. There’s definitely a different level of engagement from attendees in remote events versus on-site. They pay attention more and are more willing to actively participate in discussions. There’s more energy in the room, and no awkward lag that creates further disconnect. It's the difference between being present and just being present online – a difference that has a huge effect the experience of an event.
Opportunities for different types of events
A standout example from last year was our 2-week baseball training program for youth baseball players from Taiwan right here in the Bay Area. Events involving physical activities like baseball simply can’t be held remotely. Unlike events limited to online realms, being able to meet up in person opens the door to a myriad of unique programs, like this immersive training initiative.
What's remarkable is that while we celebrate these in-person experiences, we haven't lost touch with our global reach. Our events have become platforms for people from all corners of the world to meet, fostering cultural exchanges and strengthening our global community. It's this blend of local impact and global connection that defines the richness of our programs, showcasing the incredible possibilities that unfold when we come together face-to-face.
In Conclusion
I believe that both have its advantages, and that neither is absolutely better than the other. We’ve been very glad to have the support to continue hosting events online while it was necessary. However, we’re very excited that we’ve been transitioning back to in-person events and not be restricted to being online anymore. While we recognize the value of online engagement, we firmly believe that the impact of our work in communities will be significantly greater through the rich, personal connections created in in-person events. It's a dynamic blend of both worlds, each contributing uniquely to the fulfillment of our mission.
