12 Ways To Encouraging Interaction At Your In-Person Events

Event producers and attendees alike know that networking and making new connections is an integral part of community building when attending any in-person event. Yet, even with the best of intentions, many attendees often find themselves lost in a sea of unfamiliar faces. But what if there was a way to increase the chances of attendees connecting with like-minded individuals?

Engineering Serendipity

"Engineering serendipity" is the art of designing events that facilitate unexpected, beneficial connections between attendees. It involves creating an environment that favors the chance of fortuitous meetings happening, which is vital when building community. By having carefully crafted spaces for mingling and networking, along with thoughtful programming that prompts creative thinking and sparks curiosity, you can encourage attendees to engage and interact in ways that could lead to making new and valuable connections. By cultivating opportunities for serendipitous encounters, in-person events can be transformed into incubators of inspiration, enabling attendees to form meaningful relationships and gain new insights and perspectives.

1. Collect the Right Data

By collecting data from attendees with your registration forms and using that information to steer them towards others with similar interests, you can help attendees make more meaningful connections. Whether it's pairing attendees with similar professions, hobbies, or backgrounds, utilizing attendee data can go a long way in fostering a more connected event experience.

2. Event Onboarding Emails

Pre-event onboarding emails can set the expectations for attendees, letting them know that the event is not just about getting information, but also about meeting new people. These emails can also offer tips on how to make the most of the event and how attendees can meet other people. You can use the data you've collected to tailor these emails, steering people to the social and interactive events that will be of most interest to them.

3. Create the Time

While the content of your event is undoubtedly important, nothing can replace an organic connection between attendees. This is why building in time for interaction is essential. Whether it be through lunch breaks, end-of-day parties, or even extended breaks between sessions, providing time for attendees to connect with one another will enhance their experience and make the event more memorable.

4. Create the Space

Take special care when setting up your event space to encourage interaction and engagement among attendees. Simple elements like tables and chairs can work wonders in facilitating conversation and promoting networking opportunities. Offering food and beverage at areas designed for relaxation creates a welcoming atmosphere where attendees can take a break and connect with others. Additionally, creating rooms designated for interaction, such as lounges for idea-sharing and brainstorming sessions, can be incredibly effective in driving engagement.

5. Coach Your Speakers

Explicitly inform your speakers that engagement is a primary objective of the event, and instruct them to take steps to encourage interaction during their presentations. Speakers can do this by asking attendees to turn to the person next to them and introduce themselves or by providing opportunities for group discussion. By giving specific examples of how attendees can interact with one another, you can help to create a more positive and fulfilling experience for everyone involved.

6. Moderated Discussions

One of the most effective ways to promote interaction is by offering moderated discussions, such as Brain Dates. By allowing attendees to sign up ahead of time to lead a discussion on a particular topic and others to sign up to participate in these discussions, event producers can increase interaction between attendees. Moderated discussions offer a great opportunity for attendees to connect with like-minded individuals, learn more about a topic of interest, and expand their network.

7. Name Tags

Name tags or badges can make a big impact when trying to increase interaction between people. Including additional information on the badges can foster meaningful conversation. From hometowns to areas of expertise, showcasing these details can provide common ground for attendees to connect.

Equally important is utilizing the name tag as a tool for follow-up interactions after initial meetings. A simple QR code can lead attendees to a webpage where they can connect further, such as a LinkedIn profiles. By leveraging the power of name tags and badges, you can help attendees make valuable connections that last beyond the event itself.

8. The Mobile App

Your event's mobile app can be a powerful tool for increasing interaction among attendees. When selecting an app developer, look for features can allow people to connect not only during but also after the event. This might include instant messaging, swapping contact information, or connecting on social networks. Also, push notifications can direct people to event activities that encourage attendees to engage with each other.

9. Contests

On-site contests can be a fun way to increase interaction among attendees. By offering prizes as an incentive, you can entice participants to take part in interactive games throughout the event. Whether they're trivia contests or scavenger hunts, on-site contests can keep attendees on their toes and create a buzz throughout the crowd.

10. Swag

One of the ways to increase interaction among attendees is by providing the right kind of swag from sponsors. For example, when organizing a comedy festival with a large number of performers, consider providing a deck of cards featuring the performers, along with trivia about them. Encourage attendees to seek autographs and talk to the performers. This kind of swag can be an incredibly powerful tool in boosting attendee engagement, making the entire event more memorable and valuable for everyone involved.

11. Signage

On-site signage can not only help attendees navigate their way around the venue, but it can also be a great tool for encouraging interaction among guests. By posting unique ice breakers or discussion prompts at places where lines are likely to form, attendees can be encouraged to connect and engage with one another.

Signage can also be used to set expectations and create a welcoming environment for all guests. For example, instead of a sign that says "Lounge," create a sign that says, "Lounge: Come in and meet somebody new."

12. Follow Up Campaign

While there are many ways to increase interaction during in-person events, it's just as crucial to pay attention to the follow-up that comes after the event is over. To keep the conversation going beyond the event, consider creating an online group on Facebook, Slack, or Discord. This provides attendees with a space to continue discussions, share ideas, and connect with one another.

Additionally, make it easy for attendees to swap contact information through your event's mobile app or website. By promoting these after-event features in a follow-up email campaign, you'll give your attendees the opportunity to continue building meaningful relationships long after the event has ended.

Survey the Attendees

When you survey your attendees after the event, be sure to include questions to gauge the interaction that took place. Consider asking attendees whether they had the opportunity to meet others and how valuable those new connections are. Additionally, inquire about the effectiveness of specific features of the event in encouraging interaction. Not only will this help you better understand the success of your event, but it will also inform future events and help you continuously improve. In the end, understanding how attendees interact with your event is key to ensuring its success.

In-person events play a crucial role in community building. By using these twelve tactics to engineer serendipity, you can dramatically increase the chances that your attendees will make new connections and become lasting members of your community.