BillEndBob...
I completely agree, these days it could all be done online, road shows, instructor seminars, and even CRM, and the latest CAA knee jerk reaction to airshow displays, your guessed it a seminar (or ovular if you are a feminist).
Other professional can complete CPD (continued personal development) credits online, so why not pilots.
I really never saw why if someone can pass an instructor renewal, why they still need to attend a instructor seminar, surely on renewal the FIE can check that the Fi has up to date knowledge rather than asking things an experienced instructor would obviously know, 'tell me the properties of a gyro?' yawn, 'what is an occluded front?' yawn 'tell me what happens to the C of G on entry on entry and during the stall' yawn, quite patronising questions for an ATPL holder and experienced pilot.