In 2014, Tim Groot founded Grip to enhance networking at events, initially focusing on attendee lists but realizing that meaningful connections were essential. The rise of “confex” events, blending conferences and exhibitions, emphasizes engagement and business relationships, as evidenced by Informa’s new festival division featuring brands like Black Hat and Money20/20. Confex events thrive in complex industry landscapes, facilitating numerous interactions that foster collaboration and clarity. While structured meeting programs, such as hosted buyer events, deliver even greater participant connections, their scalability has historically been challenging. Nonetheless, the confex model is gaining traction as a valuable event format for future engagement.