How paid networking communities are helping women grow professionally

"When we meet someone in person, it gives us more information about them and a better sense of who they are than [through] a LinkedIn connection," Dr. McEwan says. "It's a way of forming stronger weak-tie, casual relationships that can provide more information about a specific topic or industry."

In fact, a 2022 study of 20 million people found that "weak ties," or loose acquaintances, were even more helpful than close friends or family when it comes to landing new jobs.

The results were staggering: The likelihood of attendees receiving a promotion doubled, and their likelihood of more than a 10 percent pay increase tripled.

Meanwhile, 78 percent of attendees reported feeling "more optimistic about the future" than they had before the conference, and 71 percent of attendees said that they "feel more connected to others."

Read at The Globe and Mail