In a viral LinkedIn post that hit a nerve across industries, leadership consultant Tim Malnick voiced a frustration many in sustainability and social impact have long whispered—but rarely shouted: “So many f**king conferences. I’m done with it. So much good talk. But does it lead to anything meaningful?”
This sentiment, initially expressed by one of Malnick’s clients working in the sustainability space, clearly struck a nerve across industries.
The post has accumulated thousands of impressions and sparked an outpouring of agreement from professionals who, despite continuing to attend and speak at conferences, privately harbour doubts about whether these events truly catalyse change or simply perpetuate the status quo.
The Five Big Reasons Conferences Fall Short
In his post, Malnick outlined five systemic problems with how we currently gather for change-making work:
- Mind–Body Split
“Conferences are dominated by talking, listening and thinking. They’re rarely embodied.” We neglect emotion, movement, and genuine human connection, despite often preaching holistic change. - Materialist Thinking
Most events stay safely in the realms of the practical and psychological. But as Malnick points out, “We can’t shift an industrial–materialist paradigm using tools that exclude soul and spirit.” - Power on a Podium
The rigid speaker/audience split just mirrors old-school hierarchies. How can we build more equal systems when our gatherings still run on outdated dynamics? - Consume & Disperse
Conferences have become commercialised “products”. You come, you consume, you leave – often feeling just as empty as you would after a shopping spree. - Future-Fixation
Most critically, events often frame change as something to aim for later, rather than something to embody and act on now.
So What’s the Alternative?
Malnick’s post didn’t just surface criticism – it uncovered a growing wave of experimentation. People are already reshaping how we gather for real impact.
The Unconference Movement
Brian Hackett shared his experience with “unconferences”, where everyone is a participant, not just a passive observer: “Maybe that’s why people keep coming back.”
Others mentioned Open Space formats, where attendees create their own agendas. Louise Deane described New Zealand’s Heart Politics, where “if a session isn’t working for you, you use the rule of two feet and walk away.”
Action-First Formats
Jerry Tinianow modelled his sustainability summits on the Clinton Global Initiative: “Participants made real commitments. We got 200+ actions with annual reporting.”
Embodied & Experiential Approaches
Lizzie Williamson summed it up: “When I see people yawning or checking out, I want to jump on stage and get them moving.” We’re whole beings—not just brains in seats.
Mushfiqa Monica J. added: “I design events as immersive labs—not talking shops. Everyone’s an agent, not an audience.”
Local, Rooted, Real
Adam Bastock put it plainly: “Conferences are great for sharing, but action happens locally – where change is visible and sustained.”
Shona Cherry agreed: “Go to communities. Real, messy, glorious communities. That’s where the doing happens.”
Climate-Smart Convening
Susan Krumdieck pioneered a “no-fly” national event in New Zealand back in 2010: double the participation, a fraction of the emissions.
Hina Nasir reminded us: “We all miss one critical piece—the planetary cost of our gatherings.”
Digital Done Differently
Others found ways to make virtual meaningful. Josh Goldblum hosts Zoom sessions with built-in discussion, while Keri Aaver praised breakout-led formats that keep things dynamic.
The Emotional Hangover
Beyond structure, people echoed a deeper fatigue: “Great ideas get shared,” said Clare Forestier. “And then… nothing. No follow-up. No accountability.” Monica Basemera captured the ache: “Instead of leaving energised, I felt hollow.”
Paul Peters didn’t mince words: “Rallying people around things that matter—then letting it fizzle—just fuels helplessness. It’s a sick sort of industry.”
So… What’s The Solution?
Out of hundreds of comments, some shared principles emerged:
- Flatten the hierarchy – Everyone contributes.
- Engage the body and the heart – Not just the intellect.
- Design for now – Action and accountability baked in.
- Invest in relationships – The real catalyst for change.
- Stay local – Embed events in real communities.
- Cut the carbon – Sustainability as a starting point, not a side note.
Michael Robbins posed the ultimate question: “What if we built a different house… instead of just talking about houses?”
In a world that demands urgent, collective transformation, maybe we don’t need better conferences. Maybe we need a completely different way of coming together.
Author: Adam Parry
Adam is the co-founder and editor of www.eventindustrynews.com Adam, a technology evangelist also organises Event Tech Live, Europe’s only show dedicated to event technology and the Event Technology Awards. Both events take place in November, London.
