Keeping your attendees engaged during the next conference you plan is essential to making it a success. Having happy attendees makes for a positive and exciting space for all (as well as a happy client). As the times change, so should your event strategy and approach. Conference guests should leave excited to bring back what they’ve learned from the event (aka practical value) and anticipating the next one. So, what sorts of things can you implement to boost engagement at your next conference? Here are a few unique ideas to strengthen attendee engagement that aren’t played out and will delight even the antsiest of guests:

Make your sessions a discussion, not a lecture.

We’ve all sat through a boring lecture before, at one point in our lives. We all know how off-putting it can be to be forced to sit quietly while someone presents information to you for 30 minutes or more. Change up the way your sessions are run by incorporating as much dialogue from, not only the presenters, but the guests in attendance too! People process information best when they are an active participant in their own learning—allowing room for questions, debate and open dialogue. Try incorporating a throwable microphone, like the ones at Catch Box. Having a toss-able sound piece gives presenters an easy (and fun) way to engage the audience and really make the experience more conversational.

Send your guests off with swag that doesn’t suck.

Swag bags are basically grown up party favors. Make sure your attendees leave feeling like they’ve just come from the best party ever by finding unique and useful parting gifts to include in your conference swag bag. Portable phone chargers and phone pop sockets are, and will continue to be, all the rage amongst the millennial and Gen Z crowd—and they can be customized with your company/organization’s logo for future reference! It’s really a win-win. Fidget spinners and moldable dough (or silly putty) make great swag for long conferences, satisfying even the most fidgety of guests.

Amp up your networking opportunities.

Happy hour…again? Yawn. Most conference attendees want to meet new people, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to the status quo when it comes to planning your networking events. Why not try an activity that really gets your attendees up and moving, and more importantly, meeting one another?

Thinking about a conference on health and wellness? Why not throw a morning 5-mile run that allows participants to get their blood pumping while also meeting some fellow runners and wellness gurus?
Interested in spicing up your next foodie conference? Get your guests cooking by hosting a cake decorating lesson or an Italian cooking class where they can meet other wannabe chefs.
Why not facilitate a “speed-networking” experience that lets people meet others in a more intimate setting?

Not only are these ideas a fun way to get other attendees connecting, but they are fantastic ways to boost engagement and give your event social currency. Moral of the story is: don’t be afraid to switch things up and try something new. In order to be innovative or a change-maker, you will have to take risks 100 percent of the time.

XOXO,

April

CEO and Founder

Pink Social Strategies