I think that is something that you do that you fool yourself into thinking is important in some way, as if you yourself are important, when you are really not. You are a tool getting a job done for your company. Maybe the best tool (after all you got the gig) but still a tool just the same. The Presidents don't care about you and aren't your friend or you peer.
Sure it's something that you can relate that you did to impress people you know and good for career or reputation (job wise). But the truth is to that those people you have interviewed would almost certainly not take your call or be your friend anymore than most of us would end up befriending the person who takes our luggage to our hotel room. (Not saying that couldn't or hasn't or doesn't happen but very unlikely except as an outlier).
I will tell you something that I have learned about self important writers. Try getting them to even return your email unless you have something that they need. Meaning they are all on top of you when they need you for a story. But once that story is done (unless they plan another one) you will have a hard time getting any reply from them. They tend to be (by the nature of what they do) 'users' the same way many salesman are users (to get the sale). They make you feel as if they care about you personally when they do not really care at all.
Contrast this with many people here on HN who I am sure would be pretty likely to reply to a personal question or issue if you wrote and asked for some type of help. Go try that with a writer for a major (and formerly important) magazine or newspaper.