Explore specific strategies to improve attendee engagement at events and conferences. No generic tips, just real fun event engagement ideas.
Boosting attendee engagement is such an underrated event strategy! But one that will reward you over and over again. But how do you engage attendees in a fun way? Engagement doesn't have to mean another awkward icebreaker.
There are tons of guides on how to improve your event engagement, but they're full of buzzwords and examples too vague to actually use. That's why we created an article on event engagement that draws on real-life examples and concrete ideas we've collected through the years.
Engaging your attendees before, during, and after the event builds anticipation and gives people a reason to come back next year. Done right, attending your event becomes their yearly tradition.
Plus, higher engagement gives you more leverage when negotiating with sponsors and exhibitors. Solid numbers make for a much stronger pitch than promises alone.
Having been in the event industry for 10 years now, we often attend events to meet event managers in person and stay up to date with event trends. This allows us to have real-life event experiences and expertise.
That means the ideas on this list aren't theoretical. Some are tactics we've seen work firsthand at real events and would love to see spread further. Others are strategies we haven't seen enough of yet, but wish more organizers would try.
Specific engagement ideas are divided into 3 categories: before, during, and after the event. We also included some virtual-only engagement strategies at the end of this article.
You know what it's like when you've got an important event to look forward to – counting down the days, fine-tuning all the details, and actively checking online for any event updates. All in anticipation of the event itself.
In fact, half the fun of any event is that eager build-up as the day draws nearer. This, too, is something you want to remember when planning your own event. Yes, you may have organized caterers, entertainment, venues, and a bulletproof budget, but now is the time to keep your attendees engaged, excited, and ever more hyped for your upcoming event.
So, here are some tips to generate excitement before the event starts.
Don't just wait for the big day to post engaging content on social media. Slowly build up the hype by posting behind-the-scenes photos, sending exclusive sneak peek emails, or sharing speaker previews in video format.
While doing so, engage with your audience by replying to their comments, sharing their own videos related to your event, and hosting Q&A sessions on social media. Don't stand idly by and watch magic happen. You need to be active to see some results.
Creating an event community is difficult, but it's a strategy that will pay for itself 10 times over. You can start by creating a community channel on Discord, Slack, or another communication platform of your choice, where people can connect and discuss your event topic without pressure.
It's crucial to share valuable content with your community, not just promotional updates about your event. Post recordings, articles, or resources related to session topics.
You can even schedule brunches or other meets where your community can get together before or after the event to keep the engagement going.
Make your attendees part of the experience. Ask them beforehand who they would like to see on the stage and what topics they should cover. They are the ones paying for the tickets, so it's important to fulfill their needs as best as you can.
Create riddles to post on social media to help your attendees guess who will come to the event, whether speaking or entertaining. Hide swag, like plushies, around the city where you're hosting the event, hinting that something big is on the way.
Or run a scavenger hunt: hide CDs or books in key spots around the city, post yourself hiding them on social media, and encourage people to track them down and share their finds online.
And more! This is your playground. Make it fun!
You can host a competition on social media or in your community for free tickets or a VIP upgrade. The rules are up to you, but design them strategically to help promote your event. For example, some competitions include leaving comments on social media posts, tagging friends and family to raise awareness of your event. Or go bigger and let your attendees get creative – ask them to submit photos, videos, or designs related to your event theme, then let the community vote on their favorite for the win.
Event apps help attendees keep everything about the event in one place. They boost engagement and create an interactive environment where attendees can network, create personalized schedules, and rate sessions.
Through the event app, you can:
Mobile event apps can be magical, but they're not miraculous. You can't just sit idly by waiting for it to work its magic on its own. They typically need a push from you as an organizer. Start early and get your attendees clued in to the fact that you are using an event app. By getting them on board early with the tech you are using in the lead-up to the event, you help attendees get familiar with it and ultimately use the app to its maximum potential before, during, and after the event.
Here are three important tips for pre-event app promotion:
Find more tips in this video:
Your attendees aren't just one uniform crowd. They all come from different backgrounds, organizations, and age groups. That's why it's beneficial to tailor your pre-event content to fit these different segments. Create a first-timer's guide to help newcomers feel oriented. Point VIPs toward exclusive perks or meetups. Give international attendees practical tips on travel or local customs. And don't forget to highlight where everyone can unwind. Recommend nearby spots to relax, grab a good meal, or have some fun after hours.
And now, on to the fun and most crucial part – boosting attendee engagement during the event.
Organize sessions in different formats, like panel discussions or breakout sessions, rather than just simple conference-style lectures. They break out the standard program that can otherwise feel tedious.
And instead of just listening, allow your attendees to participate in workshops, demos, or breakout activities. This will give them a chance to engage hands-on rather than sit passively through the day.
You can host workshops or DIY stations where attendees can create their own items to remember your event, such as custom bracelets, 3D-printed tokens, mugs, candles, photo strips or collages, pins, stickers, and more. The possibilities are endless.
That is much more meaningful than standard swag. And it naturally encourages them to share their creations online.
For example, have a look at Bludfest's DIY stations and workshops where people could make bracelets as well as friends.
If some of your speakers host their own podcasts or you manage to snag a famous podcast host for your event, don't hesitate to set up a real, live recording session. These types of sessions are typically incredibly popular among attendees, especially if it's a famous podcaster. Attendees get to see behind-the-scenes banter and ask questions.
Organize thematic quizzes where your attendees can compete for prizes. Tie the questions to your event's industry and keep it fun and relevant.
It's a low-effort way to get people laughing and teaming up. Plus, it adds a bit of friendly competition to your day.
Did any of your speakers write a book, and is it doing well? Then, have them do a book signing at your event! Your attendees can attend the session, have their books signed, and even ask the author relevant questions about the topic.
Today, capturing and keeping the audience's attention is harder than ever. Especially for longer event sessions. Features like live polling or Q&As can help attendees focus and be part of the experience. For example, many event engagement apps, such as Eventee, Slido, and Mentimeter, offer these features to keep the room buzzing.
They let people participate without having to walk to a mic and ensure that all participants' views and opinions are heard.
Event apps with a built-in Gamification feature significantly simplify gamifying the event. You can set up a leaderboard, create game rules, and let attendees have their fun. But you don't need special tech to make your event fun. Gamifying your event doesn't have to cost a fortune! You can organize scavenger hunts, special quizzes, or competitions for points or badges tied to visiting booths or attending sessions.
Design an optimal networking structure around your event venue. That means speed networking, seated roundtables by topic or interest, icebreaking activities, and a dedicated networking space. Or you can set up app-based matchmaking so people aren't left to mingle randomly. With a B2B networking app, your attendees can connect, DM one another, schedule meetings in advance, and exchange business cards. But don't forget about your virtual attendees! Set up breakout rooms for them so they can network too.
Displaying a live social wall is an easy way to utilize user-generated content. You can either create a special event hashtag and then display photos from social media where your attendees use the hashtag. Or you can display a live social wall from your event app. Most event apps already have some social wall of this sort. Apart from the social wall, it's also typically called a photo feed. It's a dedicated place within the mobile app where your attendees upload pictures from the event. So it's basically your own event social platform. The social wall is secured and protected, so you don't have to worry about a data breach.
A surprise guest, activity, or perhaps a giveaway breaks up predictability and gives attendees something to talk about. These moments create energy and keep people on their toes. They're more often than not the kind of thing attendees end up posting about in real time just because they were a surprise!
Just like the event program, arrange the venue into different zones. Provide your attendees with comfortable seating arrangements that encourage discussion, and place your food and coffee strategically to create natural mingling zones. Different rooms and zones should reflect different energy levels. Set up a quiet lounge for those who need to unwind or work, and active networking areas.
You can create a special mascot that thematically matches your event and have somebody dress up as the mascot and roam the event venue on the big day. It's a standard strategy for sporting events and comic-con conventions, but also for trade shows and conferences. It naturally encourages attendees to take photos with the mascot and share them on social media or the event's social wall.
Photo source: https://olympic.ca/2018/07/22/tokyo-2020-names-mascot-miraitowa/
Oftentimes, parents cannot attend an event because they don't have a babysitter. We shouldn't discourage those with families from attending, and we also shouldn't make the whole event worse for those without children. No one wants to have a child screaming in their ear during an interesting session.
Consider setting up a kids' zone with childcare and play areas where parents can drop off their children under trusted supervision. You could even schedule special workshops where kids learn something related to your event's theme.
For example, Webexpo, a tech conference hosted in Prague, runs kids' workshops focused on technology like Scratch programming, programming with LEGO Boost and LEGO Spike, 3D printing, and more. For the truly little ones who aren't ready to play with robots yet, WebExpo set up a Kids' Corner with toys, supervised by au pairs.
Encourage your exhibitors to let attendees try their products themselves. They can test features, sample products, or run through a live demo at their own pace.
To make it more interesting, you can have your attendees strap on a VR headset for an immersive brand experience, or set up cycling stations where pedaling powers something in real time, like lighting up a display or a phone-charging station.
If attendees say it's too cold, hand out blankets. If it starts raining, get raincoats out. This will show your attendees that you're actually listening to them and make the whole experience that much more memorable.
Frequently update your attendees on any changes and inform them about key aspects of the event that they shouldn't miss. Plan your push notifications ahead so you don't forget about anything. A great tool for updating your attendees on the go is an event app. You can send reminders directly to attendees' phones.
If you're handing out event merch, make it memorable. Don't limit yourself to T-shirts and tote bags. Go bigger and get a little playful with it.
For example, the Olympics have been giving out condoms to athletes since 1988. They became lighthearted, talked-about tokens that attendees remember long after the closing ceremony.
Use your speakers, sponsors, and performers as marketing tools. Showcasing them adds real value to your event, and keeping their names at the forefront of conversation not only during but also in the run-up to the event will build excitement for the content that's to come on the day. Feature their bios, profile photos, and contact information in your communication channels (emails, websites, event apps, …), and highlight their expertise and accomplishments to remind your attendees of their success and why they should want to learn from them.
After the event wraps, it might feel like it's time to relax. But ending this year's edition on a strong note actually sets you up for a better start next year. So now, what to do with audience engagement after the event ends?
You probably already have something planned for next year. Give your attendees a taste of what's to come as the event ends. You can share it on the big screen after the closing act or announce it through push notifications in your event app. Ending like this keeps the excitement alive and gives people a reason to already start looking forward to next time.
This one's a no-brainer. You have a ton of new content from the latest edition, so don't let it sit in your folders on a drive. Share photos, short videos, candid moments, and other types of recordings to keep the momentum going.
Send out post-event emails with surveys, or drop survey links directly into your event app so attendees can respond right away. While the experience is still fresh in their minds, they'll have a lot to say — and yes, that might mean more criticism than praise. But that's not a bad thing; it just means there's room to grow.
If you've built an event community, encourage attendees to keep sharing their experiences in your Discord server, Slack channel, or LinkedIn group. It keeps the buzz alive well after the event ends and gives attendees a place to stay connected, swap photos, and continue conversations that started on-site.
Sending out surveys can be useful, but the real data is found in engagement metrics, like session reviews, number of networking connections, or time spent during hybrid sessions. Track these numbers closely, watch for peaks and troughs, and figure out how and when attendees engage best. That's what will actually let you keep improving edition after edition.
Don't forget about your virtual attendees and create dedicated online-exclusive sections:
Virtual attendees need more structured reasons to participate than in-person ones, because it's so easy to mute, minimize, and multitask. That's why engagement tactics need to work harder.
