The True Value of In-Person Meetings

Overwhelmingly, people working in publishing really care about their profession, and care about making a difference to the world by bringing research and discovery through to publication and practical application. Nowhere is that collegiate spirit more obvious than when you get a group of like-minded publishing professionals in a room brainstorming how to improve a process or a software product.  

The acquisition of ScholarOne by Silverchair in November 2024 prompted immediate decisions to revisit practices that ScholarOne clients have valued over the years, but that for one reason or another had dropped off the priority list during previous ownerships. In March 2025, Silverchair hosted the first in-person ScholarOne User Group meeting in a number of years. Held just before the London Book fair, the small trial event brought together a cohort of strategic clients to participate in an interactive afternoon of workshops. As someone present as a client for the first User Group meetings back in the mid-2000s, it was a welcome return to an event much anticipated by our clients, not just for the ability to connect with ScholarOne experts, but also to connect with like-minded people who could empathise with the challenges of the role they perform day to day.  

My first User Group meeting 20+ years ago was held in Charlottesville, Virginia at a country club hotel with a packed programme of presentations and breakout sessions, not forgetting the social events, which  often yielded the most useful insights. Representatives ofmost publishing clients would attend to hear the latest news from ScholarOne, but just as important were the break-out discussions where tips and creative solutions would be exchanged and the value of the event would be truly realised. Despite representing competing businesses, the collegiate atmosphere meant everyone contributed to improve the service to our shared researcher community – a rising tide truly lifting all boats. It’s no exaggeration to say career-long friendships were made between attendees.  

Fast forward to 2025 where a world of diminishing travel budgets and improvements in remote meeting technologies are restricting the opportunity to travel. Yes, you can hold a virtual meeting, and it will accomplish the goal of information exchange, and there will be some banter and discussion in the chat panel, but still nothing really replicates that in-person meeting.  

 At our meeting in London, I witnessed first-hand the light bulb moment when an experienced client heard what another client was doing with the existing tools that they hadn’t thought of. How might those two minutes of time-saved per manuscript, multiplied by 20,000 manuscripts per year impact the process efficiency and corresponding dollars spent – that’s where the real Return on Investment of an in-person meeting can be found. The serendipitous discoveries and the uncovering of the unknown unknowns.  

So when you’re composing that email to your travel budget owner, consider the value proposition of the trip. Here are some of the ROI areas we’ve seen:  

1. Building Stronger Relationships

Meeting in person fosters stronger relationships and trust among participants. The physical presence of individuals creates a sense of camaraderie and connection that is difficult to replicate virtually. Shared experiences, such as casual conversations before and after meetings, help build rapport and strengthen bonds.   

2. Increased Engagement and Focus

In-person meetings tend to be more engaging and focused. Participants are less likely to be distracted by external factors, such as multitasking or technical issues, which are common in virtual settings. The physical environment of a meeting room encourages active participation and attentiveness. It can create a sense of accountability, motivating individuals to contribute more effectively.  

3. Better Problem-Solving and Creativity

Face-to-face meetings are often more conducive to brainstorming and problem-solving. The dynamic nature of in-person interactions allows for spontaneous idea generation and immediate feedback. Participants can quickly build on each other's ideas, leading to more innovative solutions. The collaborative atmosphere of a physical meeting space can also inspire creativity and out-of-the-box thinking.  

4. Effective Networking Opportunities

Networking is a critical aspect of professional growth and development, particularly in scholarly publishing, as I noted above. In-person meetings provide valuable opportunities for networking that virtual meetings cannot match. Conferences, seminars, and industry events allow individuals to meet new contacts, exchange ideas, and establish professional relationships. These connections can lead to new business opportunities, partnerships, and career advancements.  

5. Enhanced Decision-Making

Decision-making processes benefit from the immediacy and clarity of in-person meetings. The ability to discuss issues in real-time, ask questions, and gauge reactions leads to more informed and timely decisions. The presence of key stakeholders in the same room ensures that everyone is on the same page, reducing the risk of miscommunication and delays.  

6. Importance of Meeting Partners Face to Face

Meeting your partners, like the ScholarOne team, face to face is crucial for building strong, lasting relationships, especially with mission-critical infrastructure like submission and hosting platforms. Personal interactions allow us to better understand your needs, preferences, and concerns. This understanding leads to a more personalized service and improved customer satisfaction. These interactions can reveal valuable insights and feedback that might not be captured through virtual communication, helping us to refine our products and services.  

Here’s where can you connect with Silverchairians for the rest of 2025: 

• Council of Science Editors  3-6th May, Minneapolis, MN  

• SSP 28-30th May, Baltimore, MD  

• ISMTE  5-8th August, Montreal, Canada  

• International Peer Review Congress 3-5th September, Chicago, IL  

• ALPSP 10-12th September, Manchester, UK  

• Silverchair Fall Forum 24th September, Washington DC  

• Silverchair Platform Strategies 25th September, Washington DC  

• Silverchair ScholarOne Client Meeting 26th September, Washington DC  

• STM Frankfurt 13-15th October, Frankfurt Germany  

• Frankfurt Book Fair 15-19th October, Frankfurt, Germany  

• Charleston Library Conference 3-7th November, Charleston, SC  

Reach out to any  of the team to set-up an in-person meeting or enquire about who will be attending these events. We would love to talk with you, grab a coffee or have a more in-depth meeting to find out your process pain points, what are your concerns for the future of our industry or just get to know you better. See you out there!  

You can also contact our team here.