Let’s face it: remote work is amazing until it isn’t. Sure, you’ve mastered the art of the “can you hear me?” Zoom opening and have a Slack channel for every thought that pops into your head. But when it comes to real collaboration, the kind that actually moves your business forward, virtual-only interactions can start to feel like running a marathon through molasses.
If you're in the HubSpot ecosystem, that’s where in-person events like INBOUND come in. Think of it as the antidote to your team’s digital fatigue: a space where shared learning meets face-to-face bonding and turns your scattered group of screen zombies into a cohesive force to be reckoned with.
Don’t just take our word for it - let’s dive into why bringing your team to INBOUND isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a must.
Goodbye Echo Chamber, Hello Fresh Ideas
You can only sit through so many virtual training webinars before your brain starts begging for mercy. INBOUND flips the script. Instead of passive learning, you get an immersive experience where your team can actually engage with cutting-edge ideas together.
Unlimited CEO and Co-Founder Tom Richard, together with CTO and Co-Founder Corné Van Driel, brought our remote team to Boston for INBOUND 24. As Tom perfectly put it:
“This might be the first year that we've brought staff along that are not inside the leadership team, which has been an interesting experience. Been lovely having them here. And honestly, I think they're getting more out of it than you and I are at this stage. They are really enjoying it.”
By bringing more team members beyond just leadership, they could foster greater engagement and involvement across the organization, ensuring that everyone felt invested in the company’s growth and success.
We believe that team members who attend educational events together tend to form stronger bonds and share information more effectively when they return to the office. These shared learning experiences create a common foundation of knowledge, making it easier to collaborate on implementing new ideas and strategies. For remote teams, this shared knowledge can help bridge the gap between different locations and time zones.
Face-to-Face: The Remedy for Remote Awkwardness
If you think your team has bonded over Slack GIFs and virtual happy hours, I have some bad news. Those “connections” are about as deep as a kiddie pool. For global teams, nothing beats meeting in person, and INBOUND provides the perfect excuse to do just that.
As Tom put it:
“Staff members getting to meet in person the first time has been a really, really big thing for them. Seeing the teamwork and being able to collaborate live on some of the things we worked on while we were at INBOUND has been, I think, really a good team-building experience for them.”
Translation: there’s no substitute for in person interactions. Shared meals, real conversations, and even the occasional awkward icebreaker game do wonders for breaking down barriers.
When your team finally sees each other as people instead of pixelated avatars, trust builds. And with trust comes better communication, faster decision-making, and fewer passive-aggressive email chains.
Collaboration That Goes Beyond Your Team
Bringing remote teams to conferences fosters collaboration not just within your organization but also with other companies, experts, and innovators in the field. As Tom and Corné pointed out, INBOUND 2024 was packed with prospective customers, current clients, and partners, which created a collaborative environment where they could build relationships and learn from others in the industry:
“We've certainly seen more prospect meetings this year, which is great, but we also caught up with both past and present clients. We get to know them in a more intimate setting and honestly, get some of the best feedback we've had on the work that we do.”
Opportunities like this don’t pop up in a virtual vacuum. By putting your team in a room full of innovators, you’re giving them the chance to collaborate in ways that just don’t happen when everyone’s stuck at home, staring at the same Slack messages for the fifth time.
Because Retention Is Cheaper Than Recruitment
Investing in your team’s development isn’t just a feel-good gesture; it’s smart business. Employees who feel valued stick around. They stay engaged. And they’re far less likely to burn out and ghost you for a competitor who offers a slightly shinier laptop.
Bringing your team to INBOUND sends a clear message: “We care about your growth.” And that’s not just fluff.
Unlimited’s team saw significant personal and professional growth from their experience, with Tom noting:
“It’s nice to see them going and making relationships and bonding with other teams and doing things that we don’t have to be involved with so that they can grow and improve and meet people they only knew from LinkedIn.”
Want to retain your top talent? Show them you’re willing to invest in their success. Hint: it’s cheaper than constantly hiring replacements.
Faster Execution, Stronger Teams
Here’s the real kicker: attending an event like INBOUND doesn’t just spark ideas — it accelerates execution. Instead of brainstorming solo or in disjointed Zoom sessions, your team can work together in real time, testing ideas, assigning roles, and setting action plans before they even leave the event.
For remote teams that often rely on asynchronous collaboration, this is a game-changer. It’s like flipping a switch from “slow and steady” to “full speed ahead.” And when your team returns to the virtual office, they’re not just inspired. They’re ready to act.
Don’t Just Consider INBOUND. Commit to It.
Still debating whether to bring your team to INBOUND 25? Don’t. It’s not a cost — it’s an investment in collaboration, innovation, and retaining the people who make your business tick.
Your team doesn’t need another virtual workshop. They need an experience that reminds them why they signed up to work for you in the first place. They need INBOUND. And honestly, so do you.
So pack your bags, book your tickets, and get ready to watch your team transform. Trust us: the ROI will speak for itself.
Are you convinced but need help convincing your boss? Download this ready-made INBOUND 25 travel request email template!
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