Why in-person clean energy events still matter in a virtual-first world

I’ve been in the renewable energy industry for a long time. At the risk of completely dating myself, let’s just say it’s been just about two decades since I started out working in residential solar. Over the course of that time, I’ve attended my fair share of clean energy events and conferences, from smaller, regional gatherings to large-scale industry events like RE+ in Las Vegas.

Something I have found is that in many ways, the value of these events hasn’t changed. You still go to meet people in your space, see equipment and products firsthand, ask better questions, and build relationships in a way that is much harder to do through a screen.

What has changed is the context around them.

The pandemic pushed nearly everyone toward virtual work, virtual meetings, and distributed collaboration. That shift created real efficiencies, but it also created fatigue. People now crave experiences that feel more human and more grounded. They want to learn away from a screen, and certainly a webcam. They want to reconnect with colleagues and peers in person. They want the kind of spontaneous conversations over coffee, lunch, or a happy hour that simply don’t happen the same way online.

That’s part of why events feel more meaningful to me today than they did even a few years ago. In many cases, you’ve already met someone on Zoom before you ever meet them in person. The conference or offsite becomes less of an introduction and more of a continuation of an existing relationship. It adds realness. It humanizes people. It makes the industry feel tangible again. 

That’s also true internally. Even at DG+, where we operate as a virtual-first company, events can be one of the only times in a year when team members are together in person. That creates value beyond sales or business development. It creates alignment, camaraderie, and shared momentum. And for someone like me who is an introvert at heart, it honestly takes pressure off of an event for me knowing I will see friendly and familiar faces there — whether it’s colleagues, clients, or old industry friends.

So when we talk about whether events are still worth the investment (a question that comes up often in event strategy conversations with our clients), I think the answer is yes — with a caveat. They are worth it, only if you’re clear about why you’re there and how you want to show up.

Why are you attending?

Before deciding whether to attend, sponsor, or host an event, ask yourself one question: Is my target audience actually going to be there and what am I trying to achieve? Your answer should shape everything else.

Are you looking to:

• Generate leads?
• Build partnerships?
• Raise capital?
• Stay informed on market trends?
• Strengthen your team?

For example, if you’re trying to sell into the renewable energy ecosystem, a conference like RE+ makes sense. But if your goal is to connect directly with end customers, it may not. Clarity on goals is the difference between an expensive trip and a high-impact investment.

How to get the most value from events

Every business is unique with its own sets of goals and variables, therefore I don’t consider there to be a single “right” way to show up. Instead, you should think about events as a set of strategic options depending on your stage, goals, and budget. That said, here are a few options I’ve seen work for our clients (and us) over the years:

1. Exhibit with a booth: 

If you have a product people need to see, touch, or experience, a booth can be highly effective and is still one of the most visible signals of market presence. It also gives your team a central hub for meetings and conversations. Large, well-designed booths signal investment and momentum while smaller booths can still work but expectations should align.

Best for: Established brands, product companies, teams with sales goals

Pro tip: Booth location matters more than most teams think. High-traffic areas (near entrances, major brands, or central aisles) naturally drive visibility, while back-corner booths require more effort to pull people in. If you can’t secure a prime spot, compensate with something visually or experientially compelling that gives people a reason to walk over.

2. Host a happy hour or side event:

As I noted above, many people these days want to attend events not just to learn, but because they are craving connection. Hosting a happy hour, dinner, or informal gathering is a highly effective event marketing strategy that often outperforms formal programming. These environments allow for organic networking, deeper conversations, and strong brand affinity.

Best for: Marketers, service providers, investors, companies focused on relationship-building

Pro tip: The key is planning ahead. The best venues and time slots fill quickly.

3. Create an offsite experience (think: tours, ribbon cuttings, etc.)

In an increasingly digital industry, people still want to experience something real. That might look like walking through a new manufacturing facility, seeing a product come off the line, or standing on-site at a project that only existed in slide decks a few months prior. Last year, I participated in a boat tour around the Port of Long Beach to see Seabound’s carbon capture in action on ships at berth, and it’s a perfect example of this. You can read about a company’s technology online, but it’s completely different to see it operating in the real world, meet the team behind it, and understand the scale and ambition firsthand. Those moments create a level of credibility and connection that no webinar or virtual demo can replicate.

Best for: Companies with physical assets, projects, or facilities

Pro tip: Timing matters. Aligning these events with larger conferences or climate tech events can significantly increase attendance.

4. Use events as a team gathering opportunity

This might be a controversial opinion, but not everything associated with events has to be about external ROI. They can also be one of the most efficient ways to bring your team together. By aligning internal gatherings with industry events, you can consolidate travel costs, strengthen team relationships, and reduce pressure for the event to “perform” purely from a sales perspective. The result is a more balanced and often more valuable experience. For example, the entire DG+ team joined a Solardarity monthly networking event during our 2024 company retreat in Boulder, Colorado. We were able to meet some clients in person, get to know others in the industry, and simply have a great time together.

Best for: Distributed teams, virtual-first companies

Pro tip: Karaoke is hands down one of the best team bonding activities.

5. Simply attend and learn

Honestly, there’s real value in just showing up without pressure. I’ve certainly done it (one of my favorites is the LA Auto Show). Walking the floor, observing booths, listening to conversations, and understanding the landscape can be incredibly valuable, especially early in your career or company journey. You don’t need to close deals to justify attending. Sometimes, the return is clarity or an idea that pops into your head.

If you’re attending from a marketing perspective, events offer a unique window into your competitive landscape. Pay attention to:

• Booth size and design
• Messaging and positioning
• Product launches and demos
• Who is investing and who isn’t

Best for: Early-stage founders, new entrants, professionals exploring the space

Pro tip: For events like RE+ with multiple attendance options, ensure that the badge or pass you purchase will give you access to the programming that will be most beneficial to you.

__________

I’ll be honest, many times I’ve seen event budgets be one of the first things to get cut when times are uncertain and things get tight. And sometimes that’s for good reason. But other times, it's less about eliminating events entirely and more about being more intentional about how you participate. 

Instead of asking, “Should we spend on events?” ask:

• What is the most efficient way to achieve our goal?
• Do we need a booth, or would a gathering be more effective?
• Can we combine internal and external value in one trip?

Often, smaller, more targeted investments outperform large, unfocused ones. That said, there is no universal playbook for clean energy conferences and events. An early-stage founder, a seasoned operator, an investor, and a marketer will all approach the same conference differently, as they should.

The real question isn’t whether to attend. It’s: Who are you, what do you need, and why are you showing up?

Answer that clearly, and the rest becomes much easier.

Work with DG+

At DG+, we help clean energy and climate tech companies — from pre-seed startups to scaled industry leaders — build smarter event strategies and stronger brands. Whether you’re deciding which conferences to attend, how to show up, or how to turn event participation into real business outcomes, we can help you think it through and execute.

• Need support with event strategy, branding, or go-to-market? We’d love to talk!
• Planning your year? Download the 2026 DG+ Clean Energy and Climate Tech Calendar and access a curated list of 60+ of the most relevant clean energy and climate tech events to help you prioritize where to show up.