Log in
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Create an account
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Events as a Catalyst for Social Connection
In a world increasingly plagued by loneliness, dislocation and social anxiety, the call for face-to-face events isn’t just important – it’s urgent. Events are no longer just about economic return, brand-building, bonding or communication; they’re essential for repairing our social fabric and addressing the silent epidemic of disconnection.
The pandemic didn’t just disrupt our industry; it created a deep fracture in how we relate to and trust one another.
Remote work, a rise in video calls and online platform usage plus other always-on digital interactions may have kept businesses running, but they’ve taken a toll on our collective social well-being.
In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Commission on Social Connection, calling loneliness a pressing health threat. According to WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus:
High rates of social isolation and loneliness around the world have serious consequences for health and well-being. People without enough strong social connections are at higher risk of stroke, anxiety, dementia, depression, suicide and more.
The workplace is no exception.
The shift to remote and hybrid models has amplified feelings of isolation, reduced camaraderie and eroded team cohesion. In April 2021, 145 million people were using Microsoft Teams, 26% up on when usage first peaked in October 2020. By early 2024, there were 320 million monthly active users of the Teams app.
According to Cigna’s, The Business Case for Addressing Loneliness in the Workforce, “Lonely employees demonstrate higher rates of avoidable (stress-related) absenteeism, missing more than five additional workdays per year than those who do not identify as lonely. They also express a greater intention to quit their job within the next 12 months, nearly twice as likely as other workers.” Equally, research by the Co-op and New Economics Foundation estimates that loneliness costs UK employers £2.5 billion annually through decreased productivity and higher turnover rates. The message is clear: social disconnection is bad for business and well-being alike.
**And there is compelling evidence that social connection is directly linked to positive social transformation. **
In his January 2025, Parting Prescription for America, (former) US Surgeon General, Dr Vivek Hallegere Murthy, said “Community is a powerful source of life satisfaction and life expectancy. It’s where we know each other, help each other, and find purpose in contributing to each other’s lives. These core pillars of community–relationships, service and purpose–are powerful drivers of fulfilment. They can also significantly influence health outcomes… Community also gives us strength and resilience when facing the big challenges and countless paper cuts that come with moving through the world.
Events as a Catalyst for Social Connection
In a world increasingly plagued by loneliness, dislocation and social anxiety, the call for face-to-face events isn’t just important – it’s urgent. Events are no longer just about economic return, brand-building, bonding or communication; they’re essential for repairing our social fabric and addressing the silent epidemic of disconnection.
The pandemic didn’t just disrupt our industry; it created a deep fracture in how we relate to and trust one another.
Remote work, a rise in video calls and online platform usage plus other always-on digital interactions may have kept businesses running, but they’ve taken a toll on our collective social well-being.
In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Commission on Social Connection, calling loneliness a pressing health threat. According to WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus:
High rates of social isolation and loneliness around the world have serious consequences for health and well-being. People without enough strong social connections are at higher risk of stroke, anxiety, dementia, depression, suicide and more.
The workplace is no exception.
The shift to remote and hybrid models has amplified feelings of isolation, reduced camaraderie and eroded team cohesion. In April 2021, 145 million people were using Microsoft Teams, 26% up on when usage first peaked in October 2020. By early 2024, there were 320 million monthly active users of the Teams app.
According to Cigna’s, The Business Case for Addressing Loneliness in the Workforce, “Lonely employees demonstrate higher rates of avoidable (stress-related) absenteeism, missing more than five additional workdays per year than those who do not identify as lonely. They also express a greater intention to quit their job within the next 12 months, nearly twice as likely as other workers.” Equally, research by the Co-op and New Economics Foundation estimates that loneliness costs UK employers £2.5 billion annually through decreased productivity and higher turnover rates. The message is clear: social disconnection is bad for business and well-being alike.
**And there is compelling evidence that social connection is directly linked to positive social transformation. **
In his January 2025, Parting Prescription for America, (former) US Surgeon General, Dr Vivek Hallegere Murthy, said “Community is a powerful source of life satisfaction and life expectancy. It’s where we know each other, help each other, and find purpose in contributing to each other’s lives. These core pillars of community–relationships, service and purpose–are powerful drivers of fulfilment. They can also significantly influence health outcomes… Community also gives us strength and resilience when facing the big challenges and countless paper cuts that come with moving through the world.
.webp)
