Of course, many of the people who ought to have been there, weren't. Inevitably staff meetings, research away days and conferences clash with any planned events. And so, some conversations which might have taken place were lost.
But some others happened on the fringes. And, interestingly, one point emerged quite strongly. "It's nice to see other teaching staff present," many agreed, "rather than experts. Experts always show you what *can* be done. Practitioners show you what *is* being done."
Which is an important distinction. What _can_ be done often doesn't elucidate fully under what circumstances it can be done - how much time, knowledge, experience or other resources needs to be harnassed for the successful attainment of the output. At what opportunity cost. For what practical benefit. With what trade-offs.
What _is_ being done allows one to see someone like, or unlike, oneself, to interrogate them on the unstated aspects, to demand evidence of costs and benefits and to hear first hand a judgment call on whether or not it was worthwhile.
And, reassuringly, it usually is.