On this Q&A episode, Travis and producer Eric break down the true value—and actual dollar ROI—of spending big on conferences, masterminds, and in-person networking events. Travis pulls back the curtain on years of personal investment, revealing why choosing the right room can shortcut years of growth for entrepreneurs and creators. The episode answers tough listener questions about wasted money, picking events, and how to “level up” your network strategically instead of just collecting business cards.

On this episode we talk about:

  Why Travis has spent six figures annually to get access to high-caliber business rooms

  The difference between ROI in cheap conferences vs. elite mastermind groups

  How and why real business growth happens outside of structured sessions—often at after-hours meetups

  The “ping pong effect”—why you need to challenge yourself by surrounding yourself with people at much higher levels

  The most common mistake (and how to avoid wasting your investment by focusing solely on content over relationships)

Top 3 Takeaways

1.  Face-to-face conferences and masterminds often provide the best ROI—companies report a 4:1 to 5:1 return according to 2025 industry data, and new business from events still outpaces digital alone.
2.  Growth happens fastest when you pay to be uncomfortable and seek out rooms where you’re not the expert—proximity to big thinkers shortcuts years of solo effort.
3.  The best value comes when you prioritize genuine relationships over just knowledge—one high-value contact can outweigh years’ worth of conference notes.

Notable Quotes

  "When you pay, you pay attention. Money is an amazing accountability partner—if you stretch to get in the right room, you make the most of it."

  "All the best business happens after hours, in the relationships and informal meetups that develop outside the official event schedule."

  "If you can't find a conference that fits, be the host—creating the community gives you leverage and attracts the best connections."

Connect with Travis Chappell:

  LinkedIn: Travis Chappell on LinkedIn

  Twitter/X: @travischappell

  Instagram: @travischappell

  Website: travischappell.com

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