In 2020, COVID-19 forced all industries to cancel a numerous amount of events. However, thanks to technology, many of them have moved to the virtual world. And while there is no way to replace being at a conference in person, we can still benefit from these important online events.

There are some immediate positives to consider when attending online events, especially time and money. Removing the cost of plane tickets, hotels, meals, and more means conferences come at a fraction of the usual expense. In addition, no commuting means hours or days saved. That aside, the true advantages of virtual attendance can be invaluable.

With so many events now being virtual, the “problem” of choosing isn’t due to lack of choices, but the sheer number of options available and readily accessible. A bevy of choices means finding the right event that fits specific professional needs. This may require some extra time, but it’s best to know what each conference offers—presentations, Q&A sessions, opportunities to share work, open forums, and so on.

For those just starting careers in technology, the opportunity to network cannot be understated. At just one event, a multitude of professionals are “together” in one place—and that makes it an ideal situation to learn from others. After all, conferences are venues containing a veritable reservoir of knowledge, experience, and the exchange of ideas. Someone attending may have a solution to a problem that breaks through an idea bottleneck—providing a short-term gain.

Attending these conferences provide networking opportunities with professionals with similar interests, priorities, and concerns. One can forge collaborative relationships that last years and even set up future employment opportunities. Treat any introduction as an informal first interview—a means to get one’s foot in multiple doors. While these opportunities may be more difficult in a virtual environment, many conference organizers are creating online forums just for these very reasons.

For the startup innovator, conferences are ideal for finding potential investors and conference organizers are aware of that fact. To accommodate, they often include designated times for entrepreneurs to connect with investors. But keep in mind, as organized as a conference can be, there is also room for spontaneity—a chance encounter with a potential investor is always possible. Innovators are highly encouraged to have their presentations of the “big idea” already prepared. Investors are also competing amongst themselves to be the first to hear that “big idea”—and be the first to consider investment opportunities.

With the close of 2021 rapidly approaching, there are still quite a few conferences scheduled for the Fall and Winter. TechRadar has furnished a list of upcoming conferences, including dates, reasons for attending, and links to register. While these events will be virtual, they will provide unprecedented access to professional peers, investors, and mentors. In addition, a multitude of panels, seminars, and other online venues will provide education on a variety of technology topics. As we continue to adjust to life among COVID-19, necessity has brought about some positive changes—it remains to be seen if they will last.