Washington's Velvet Rope of Influence

How media-hosted events became the most lucrative — and least examined — marketplace for public advocacy

When Semafor raised $30 million in new funding, the signal was unmistakable. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, the company made clear to investors that live events and sponsorships were no longer a side experiment but a central growth strategy, particularly as the digital advertising market softened. The bet was not on traffic or virality. It was …