Some people think that events are the closest thing to actually getting things done: To "make it happen." That's why when there's a crisis somewhere in the world or a debate heats up, people travel, go to hotels, and sit in "event spaces," "meeting rooms," "function halls," and "conference facilities," do presentations, and debate the issues with a sense of urgency. Then, the event is over, people pack up, and move on to the next "event." Most of the time, nothing actually happens or gets done that way, but when problems arise, money flows into "events." People attend the events and return home to their lives with a sense of actually having done "something." And yet, at best, most of those events are simple learning opportunities.
Lots of people, who actually enjoyed school and miss their days at the university and giving lectures, promote and attend conferences and seminars. When you attend "a session," in most cases, you don't actually retain anything, because it was too hot or too cold in the room; the room was too dark; the slide presentation made you think about everything except what was being discussed; and, sometimes, because the speaker was not exactly the most engaging person in the world.
Those conference rooms do generate great business for the AV industry and many jobs for audio professionals just to make sure someone's voice gets heard, but about 95% of speaking engagements, even by the most brilliant minds in the world, are boring, even if PowerPoints are replaced by beautiful Keynote presentations with mirrored backgrounds and animations.
From school, we all only remember one or two great teachers after attending classes for years. In university, we will find out that some people are passionate and effective in oratory while, professional lecturers are just "efficient" at what they do - but often we actually have to read the materials provided to learn something.
At industry events - the conventions that combine exhibitions with conferences or the conferences that happen to have an exhibition space - we experience the same dilemma. Great professionals attend shows and network with people. Some people are all about "the sessions," and just spend a few quick minutes at the show, while others attend shows and don't even think for a minute about sitting in on those "boring" sessions because it reminds them of primary school - in a bad way.
Most "sessions" promoted in conventions are not any more effective than the classes we had in school - and we had to attend them the entire year, for several years, to actually learn anything that stayed with us. You cannot attend school and not have manuals and learning materials, and you cannot just buy all the manuals and learning materials and stay home while studying to become an engineer.
Which means about 95% of speaking engagements are a waste of time if you don't keep something to read and refer to later. Thankfully, we also have video if we really have to review the actual talk... Still, I believe those wishing to reinforce and consolidate their knowledge will do better by reading books. To learn and be up-to-date, it's better to read magazines - print or digital. There is nothing 
like reading a good article in a magazine. A magazine is like a school manual continuously updated, always reflecting the latest research and trends ...and more engaging.
