While technological advancements in video conferencing and other forms of electronic communication continually improve, they often fall short of communicating complex concepts and information. We have all experienced miscommunication because we missed subtle social cues, misinterpreted an email, or missed out on the context before or after a conference call.  Meeting face-to-face is still the richest form of communication and has shown to be the most effective at social influence over other forms of communications. 

In a 2009 survey of 2,300 subscribers of the Harvard Business Review, 95% of respondents said face-to-face meetings are “a key factor in successfully building and maintaining long-term relationships.” Being in the same place increases trust, a critical ingredient to the success of any innovation ecosystem. Other forms of communications such as phone calls, email, texting, and chat are regularly used to organize and amplify face-to-face communication. The more complex the information, the more important co-presence becomes.