Most freelancers work by mail and telephone, and never meet their editors.
However, more than a few writers would like to meet editors to present ideas and manuscripts. This can be good. When you present your work to an editor in person, you have the editor's immediate and undivided attention, which may not be true when you mail in a manuscript. And your work is certain to get some extra attention, since the editor will remember you as a person when he or she reviews your submission. The same is true in meeting agents.