I have actually networked more during the pandemic while flying much much less. A potential barrier is the inherent conflict of interest as many of us use conferences as (in part) institution-funded site-seeing trips. This was questionable even before the pandemic but definitely IS NOT ETHICAL ANY MORE! We all have to accept to be inconvenienced a bit to fight global warming and this is actually an easy step.
Epidemiologist involved in decision analysis at both health policy and clinical levels, with focus in respiratory diseases.