The Meetup Is Back

Executive Brief

Questions Answered in This Article:

• Why is there a renewed interest in face-to-face events in 2026?
• How do in-person and virtual formats complement each other in a hybrid world?
• What can you expect from STAUFFER’s new community series, The Field Report?

Summary:

After years of relying heavily on virtual events, people are embracing a hybrid model. Professionals appreciate the efficiency of streaming but are rediscovering the unique value of being in the room. STAUFFER is launching a new series to document these gatherings, starting with our own hybrid Drupal event next Tuesday.

If you look around, especially in events and meetups, you will notice a change. COVID changed things, professional networking largely meant a webinar or a LinkedIn comment thread. Safety was the primary goal and that precedent held sway long after health-related regulations abated. But we learned how to collaborate across time zones and screens with incredible speed and that proved to be a compelling change.

That capability is here to stay. But we are also seeing a distinct swing back toward face-to-face interaction.

Meetups that went fully remote are returning to physical venues. RSVP lists for live events are filling up. People value the convenience of the stream, but they also crave the energy of the room. We are social animals after all.

At STAUFFER, we believe this shift is happening because the nature of our work has changed. As we integrate more AI into our workflows, we value human connection even more. We need places to vet our ideas, challenge our assumptions, and connect with the people attempting to solve the same problems we are.

The Best of Both Worlds

We learned a lot during the fully remote era. We learned that geography should not limit access to information. That is why we are committed to a hybrid approach.

If you just want the information, the stream is perfect. You can watch the recording, check the documentation, and learn the syntax from anywhere in the world. This accessibility is a net positive for the industry.

But there is a different kind of value for those who can make the trip. We go to meetups for the immersion. We go to hear a speaker like Scott Bell break down a complex topic, and then turn to the person next to us to ask how they handle that specific challenge.

That conversation is where the community gets built. It is the unscripted exchange of ideas that happens when smart people share a physical space. You hear the nuance that defines the culture of a city’s tech scene.

We are hosting these events and showing up to others because we believe the best intelligence in 2026 is found in the community. Whether you join us online or in person, we want you to be part of that conversation.

Introducing: The Field Report

We are committing to showing up.

Over the coming months, I will be visiting different tech, design, and strategy groups across Los Angeles. I will be listening to what the community is talking about. I want to know what keeps developers up at night, what designers are excited about, and where business leaders are placing their bets.

We are calling this The Field Report.

I will share what I find right here on the blog. The goal is to give you a pulse on the local ecosystem. We want to highlight the groups that are doing great work and the conversations that are shaping our industry.

Stop One: The Evolution of Drupal

We are kicking this off on our own turf.

Next Tuesday, STAUFFER is hosting the LA Drupal group at our offices in Los Angeles. We will also be streaming the presentation for our friends who cannot make the drive.

We chose this topic because it perfectly illustrates the gap between perception and reality in our industry. Drupal has been around for a long time. Many people think they know what it is and some have forgotten about it. The truth is it remains a viable tool and has undergone a massive architectural shift many have missed.

Our Director of Engineering, Scott Bell, will be presenting on The Evolution of Drupal. He is going to dive into the shift from legacy structures to modern Component Driven Development.

This is exactly the kind of topic that sparks great debate. If you are local, you can see the presentation and ask your questions in person. If you are remote, you can join the Zoom and get the technical deep dive from your desk.