They can, when the room is right. A small, invite-only roundtable with the decision makers on your target map builds the trust cyber buyers need before they shortlist a vendor. Keep it a conversation rather than a pitch, and plan a follow-up for every guest before the night starts.
Who to invite
Start from the target map, not a mailing list. Every seat should belong to someone you'd want as a client or someone they listen to. A smaller room of the right people beats a full room of the wrong ones.
How to run it
Pick a topic your guests are dealing with this quarter, not your product. Let a respected host steer the conversation. Your team listens more than it talks.
What makes it pay
The follow-up. Each guest should hear from you within days with something useful from the discussion, and a reason to meet. Measure the roundtable by the meetings that come from it, not by the attendance.