How to increase engagement at corporate events

Engagement at corporate events is crucial to ensuring attendees are involved, actively participate, and get the most out of the experience. In a world where in-person, virtual, or hybrid events are constantly evolving, it is essential to offer engaging experiences that keep attendees’ interest and create a lasting impact. Here’s how you can enhance engagement at your corporate events and make them memorable and effective.

9 Tips to improve engagement at corporate events

1. Clearly define the event objectives

Before planning any engagement strategy, it’s essential to define the event’s objectives. Do you want to inspire, educate, or simply connect attendees? Having a clear vision of the purpose will allow you to select the best activities and interactions to maximise participation. Additionally, communicating these objectives early on can help attendees understand the value of the event and engage more actively.

2. Encourage pre-event participation

Engagement shouldn’t be limited to the day of the event. Start much earlier. Use social media, emails, surveys, or mobile apps to involve participants. You can create a pre-event campaign with questions, surveys, or competitions to generate anticipation and give attendees a voice on topics that interest them most. This not only creates an active community but also allows for content adjustments based on audience preferences.

3. Use advanced technology for interaction

Using technology is an excellent way to maintain attendees’ attention. There are several interactive tools that can transform a traditional corporate event into an immersive experience. Some options include:

• Event Apps: These allow attendees to access the agenda, interact with other participants, ask real-time questions, vote in polls, or receive notifications. These apps also offer networking features, encouraging connections between attendees.
• Live Polls: Use real-time polls or quizzes during presentations or panels. This not only provides immediate feedback but also makes attendees feel like an active part of the event.
• Augmented and Virtual Reality: If you want to impress your attendees, immersive technology can be an excellent way to grab attention and surprise them.

If you’re interested in event apps, our Shabby&Chic team has provided a list of the best options in this article to make your event organisation easier.

4. Organise effective networking sessions

Networking is one of the main reasons professionals attend corporate events. Facilitate this process by creating specific activities that break the ice and encourage interaction. Some ideas include:

• Speed Networking: Organise short, structured sessions of 3-5 minutes where attendees can meet each other. This allows them to interact with more people in less time.
• Designated Networking Spaces: Create attractive and comfortable spaces for participants to relax and chat between sessions. Offering coffee stations or lounge areas can encourage connections. At Shabby&Chic, we offer the best venues for networking events, conferences, or company presentations. You can visit them at the following link.
• Gamified Networking: Introduce game elements, such as challenges to connect with a certain number of people or interact with someone from a specific sector. This motivates attendees to meet more people in a playful way.

5. Personalise the attendee experience

Nowadays, attendees value experiences tailored to their individual needs and interests. Using attendee data to personalise the experience is an excellent way to boost engagement. From segmenting content to organising sessions suited to different professional profiles, personalisation can make each attendee feel that the event is designed specifically for them.

Additionally, offering different content formats, such as talks, practical workshops, interactive panels, or demo zones, allows attendees to choose how they prefer to participate.

6. Create opportunities for interactive learning

Offering engaging content is key to maintaining attendees’ interest. Instead of relying solely on one-way talks or presentations, opt for sessions that encourage interaction and active learning. Some examples include:

• Practical Workshops: Allow attendees to apply what they’ve learned. This not only improves knowledge retention but also increases participation.
• Interactive Debate Panels: Encourage the exchange of ideas between speakers, experts, and the audience. Attendees can ask questions, vote, or share their views in real time, creating a more dynamic environment.
• Showcases and Live Demonstrations: If your event features products or services on display, organise live demonstrations or stations where attendees can try them out directly.

7.  Incentivise engagement with prizes or rewards

People tend to get more involved when there are incentives. Introduce gamification into your event by offering prizes or recognition to the most active participants, boosting engagement during the event.

• Participation Contests: Reward participants who interact the most in sessions, on social media, event apps, or during networking activities. Many apps make it easy to involve attendees dynamically.
• Social Media Challenges: Encourage attendees to post about the event using an official hashtag. Offering prizes for the most creative or highly-interacted posts is a way to maintain engagement both inside and outside the event.
• Raffles or Draws: Host raffles or draws during the event where attendees can actively participate.

8. Leverage social media to boost engagement

Social media is not just a tool for promoting future events; it’s also a platform where attendees can interact during the event, thus improving engagement. Create an official hashtag for participants to share their experience in real time. This not only drives engagement but also extends the event’s reach beyond its attendees.

Including screens displaying live hashtag posts can also motivate attendees to be more active on social media. Additionally, you can organise activities that encourage social participation, such as photo contests or polls on platforms like Twitter or Instagram.

9. End with a clear call to action

Engagement shouldn’t end when the event does. Provide a clear way for attendees to stay involved, as fostering active participation is key to a successful event. This could include access to exclusive post-event content, satisfaction surveys, or invitations to future events.

Moreover, if you have the opportunity to create an online community where attendees can stay connected after the event, it will generate ongoing engagement and foster loyalty towards future events you organise.

Conclusion

Increasing engagement at corporate events is not just about attracting or retaining attendees, but about ensuring they are involved throughout the entire event experience. Through the use of technology, personalisation, networking opportunities, and interactive learning, you can ensure that attendees not only enjoy the event but also remember and value its long-term impact. A corporate event with high engagement has the power to transform business relationships, inspire new ideas, and leave a lasting impression on participants. We recommend that after the event, you ask attendees to rate the content, organisation, and activities or leave suggestions for future improvements. For help choosing the perfect venue, contact our team of professionals.