Create a More Interactive Event (with a Little Help from an Event Planner)

Do your events feel flat and boring? Get away from the same old event with the help of an experienced event planner who can make your affair more interactive.

If you are looking for more interaction and connectivity, there are a few things that you can do to incorporate these actions into your next event. You may have noticed that there has been a trend in events and conferences to get away from the speaker/podium. This one-way of information flow to passive attendees is shifting towards a more interactive exchange of ideas and increased engagement.

So, if you want to make your next interactive event hum with interactivity and collaboration here are a few steps on how to do it.

Frame the Story

A more interactive event begins during the conceptual phase of event planning. Think about your audience and begin with a more inclusive “we” mentality. Consider your stakeholder’s main goals and go from there and feel free to solicit advice and opinions. Send out polls and questionnaires to determine content, venue and what your attendees want to see. Feedback will not only set the stage for successful interactive events it will make your audience feel valued and important.

Structure and Flexibility

Communication is important during any event especially an interactive event. There are many apps than can help with this or even signage but a clear message from your speaker or emcee is a good way to communicate expectations and opportunities. Let attendees know that their participation and feedback is important and explain how this will be done whether it is through open discussion, polling/surveys or break-out sessions. Make sure and monitor your sessions with an event app and social media to see attendee comments on what you are doing well and what needs to be tweaked.

Increase Participation

Encourage attendee interaction with incentives. You could require attendance at each session and track attendees, or have attendees complete a number of tasks through your event app. Rewards like sponsor swag or gift cards could be given to people who complete the most tasks first. Interaction isn’t simply an ingredient to a great party; as an event planner, you have a responsibility to your clients to ensure attendee participation. Making participation fun should result in a high rate of participation.

Design an Experience

Design an experience at your event that your attendees will remember. A great way to do this is to collaborate with a sponsor on a sponsorship activation that will engage all five senses. Make sure your brand is aligned with your sponsor and build a wow-factor into your event for your attendees.

Continue the Conversation

Don’t let interaction end with your event. Continue the conversation through social media platforms, informal meet-ups and live hangouts. Have your speakers engage with these venues of interaction to reiterate important messages, and even promote the next event.

Follow these tips and see your next event flourish through interaction. Have questions or need a few other tips? Please give Strategic Event Design a call.