In our opinion, the best meetings, the ones really worth attending, with true scientific value, are those that are full of surprises.  It is then that participants gain insight which is entirely unexpected, it is then that there are chances to meet colleagues that would otherwise be unknown, and it is then that new concepts, new projects and new collaborations are born. 

Conversely, if any the work on show has long since appeared in the scientific literature, then it is generally more instructive to read about it in the respective journal than it is to see it presented orally.  Likewise, if many or all of the participants are personally known to others ahead of time, then typically so are the details of their work.  At such a time, the friendly atmosphere of a meeting takes on added value from a social perspective, and of course greatly benefits from innumerable 'back of an envelope' discussions. 

The big meetings attract the world’s most famous scientists, and although even the most esteemed scientists cannot be relied upon to continually produce outstanding advances, their presentations are typically highly polished, often entertaining, and rightfully deserve top-billing as ‘one not to miss’.  However, the highlights belong to those with the best ideas and innovations, and are as likely to come from an up-and-coming ‘no name’ as much as an established star. 

Although there is a conventional way, there are no rules, and no right way to structure a meeting.  As long as the principal objective of effective information exchange is satisfied, and the participants are happy, there need be no restrictions – with each new approach as valid as the last. 
 

What do you really get from scientific meetings and interactions with colleagues in the field – is there something more you need, something lacking or that you would like to see added to the conventional format – if so, please let us know.