Event planners across the UK are seeing an acceleration in attendees expecting more from internal corporate events, as a result conferences need to offer more value and experiential factors. Some event planners may see this as just another job to do on a long list but it’s important to remember that better engagement means better returns and working with a forward-thinking event agency and venue can make the event management process simple and stress-free.
To get you on your way to thinking about what your next conference experience could look like and the benefits it could bring to your company, read our top 6 expert tips for increasing engagement at your next conference.
1. Ignite Imagination with Indoor Team Building
There are still many event planners out there who don’t consider indoor team building with conferences, when the truth is they work great together to achieve better engagement. A vast majority of clients think outdoors when they think about team building and the first image that comes to mind is inflatable games and sports days, when in fact over 70% of team building at Eventurous is delivered in the meeting room. Tabletop indoor team building can be just as adrenaline fueled and competitive as any other form, with exciting Escape Rooms such as Diamond Heist, chaotic yet creative hands-on challenges such as Master of Tasks or mind-bending board games such as The Lost Pages – there is so much choice. And did you know that tabletop team building can fit around your conference agenda with no disruption to your day. With quick and easy set up and pack down, you can prepare the room whilst delegates are at lunch and kick off the afternoon with an interactive and fun challenge that brings people together and sparks motivation and creativity. It really is the secret ingredient to turning your conference into a memorable experience that provides benefits such team development and collaborative working.
2. Amaze with Audio Visual Production
Elevating the audio-visual production at your conference can bring your content to life, creating feeling, emotion and prolonging engagement. Luminating lighting can be used in various ways depending on your budget.
- Uplighters can be used to light up your stage in the colours of your brand and can be programmed to change to the colour of your content
- Gobo lighting can add another interesting dimension to your agenda, with lit up shapes or branding that moves across the walls and ceilings
- Moving Dynamic Headlighting is great for when speakers enter the stage to add some excitement to the room and to get your audience feeling intrigued for what’s to come
Don’t forget to think about sound, for example why not try speaker stings? This low-cost addition, can be highly effective when it comes to adding some atmosphere to your conference. Speaker stings are short bursts of energetic, well-known songs that accompany the speaker as they walk onto the stage, (similar to when a boxer enters a ring), these work best when you select songs that are personalised and relevant to the topic or speaker.
3. Engage with Energisers and Ice Breakers
If you are thinking of increasing the interaction and collaboration at your conference but don’t quite have the time for an indoor team building activity, you should consider Conference Energisers and Ice Breakers. These are 30-minute activities which get your audience up on their feet and participating in a motivational activity. They work great as an opening to set a positive tone for the day or after lunch and aim of keeping energy levels high. A favourite Conference Energiser that works for large and small groups is the HAKA Warrior Workshop. Led by authentic Māori performers, your audience will learn the powerful and motivational moves of the HAKA, a dance regularly seen at international sporting events. The HAKA promises to gear your team up for a positive day ahead, helping to signify unity and ignite passion for purpose.
4. Interact with Gamification
Before you go ahead with writing a presentation at your conference, think about testing your audiences’ listening skills and knowledge throughout with some fun and simple Gamification. An easy to use poll app such as ‘Slido’ can keep your audience on their toes, listening and putting their knowledge to the test. Include some prizes for extra incentive or turn it into a competition to up the stakes. Apps like Slido work particularly well at conferences with educational content as opposed to commercial. Be careful not to overdo it with the number of questions per session, you want to keep your audience on their toes but you don’t want to interrupt the flow of content too much. Up to three questions per 45-minute session is sufficient.
5. Make it Meaningful
A report by the Venue Directory shows over 70% of delegates are willing to pay extra for sustainable events which indicates the increasing concern for the environment amongst our attendees. Engage your attendees by creating meaning behind your conference and aligning with their values. Consider how you can reduce the carbon footprint of your conference. Eventurous are a ECOsmart accredited agency, winning multiple awards for Best Green Initiative. We have the knowledge to help you achieve your ESG goals. Things we can help you consider are energy efficient audio-visual solutions, charitable or responsible team building activities, delegate travel or plant-based catering. Our set backdrops are made in our in house workshop which reduces carbon emissions and we invested heavily in new industry standard AV equipment in 2024, meaning it is energy efficient and we have equipment such as digital lecterns which allow you to brand without printing, reducing waste!
6. Inspire with Hosts and Speakers
Last but certainly not least is to consider your hosts and speakers. Selecting the right host and speakers for your conference is one of the main ingredients for engaging your audience. You want confident, knowledgeable and personable speakers that can inspire and motivate the team. Adding a little humour into your agenda through speakers can really boost mood and focus. Speakers and hosts can be people within your orgainsation, from industry, charities or partners or for more larger scale conference productions or product launches, celebrities may be considered. Eventurous are experienced and on hand to source and manage speakers and hosts if required and we will work to accommodate them so they feel well looked after and have everything they need to put on a great show.
Let’s Talk!
Ready to start planning your 2025 conference? Contact us and speak to one of our friendly sales team for advice and recommendations on the best activities for your group size. We can help find a suitable venue and suggest activities that work with your requirements.
