The ROI of Connection

I am sitting by a huge glass window, feet resting on my carry-on luggage. Outside planes are taking off every 30 seconds.

As I am making my way back from New Orleans to Berlin, I am reflecting on the experience of attending MicroConf.

I can’t help but think about the ROI somehow. The thought feels almost a little dirty - but was It worth it!?

The numbers are pretty straight forward:

- Conference Ticket: € 1000,-

- Plane Ticket: € 1140,-

- Apartment: € 600,-

- Food, Incidentals: €200,-

- Transportation: €100,-

All up around €3000,-

In addition, I’ve spent almost an entire week away from my family and business.

Here’s what I’ve received in return:

- Visited New Orleans for the first time, saw it’s culture, heritage, climate and people

- Met countless new folks from all over the world at the conference. United by one vision - build a meaningful, free and autonomous life while having fun along the way

- Got inspired by all sorts of interesting businesses. A POS system for wash-dry-fold shops, a PC gaming app to customize your aim in shooters, a time tracking tool for non-for profits, a mobile card game mostly played in Sweden and Louisiana - just to name a few

- I don’t think I’ve had a single conversation about AI - how refreshing!

- Met the conference organisers and a few of the speakers, who made themselves available after the talks - how generous

- Got direct and unfiltered feedback from a copywriting expert about my website

- Received a few opportunities to collaborate and add value to other peoples businesses and lives

- Saw my friend Peter in person for the first time in years

- Had the deepest and most inspiring conversation about doing inner work in the last 30min of the last day

Going into the experience, I was a little nervous.

Coming out, I feel refreshed, inspired and connected to a new tribe.

What’s the ROI of that?