Posted March 7th, 2019 at 5:38 pm1 Comment
Whether you want to gather leads, build customer loyalty, or improve product knowledge, capturing your audience’s attention is only the first step. Keeping attendees actively engaged is equally important in solidifying the success of your event.
Event engagement is a familiar topic for organizers. It essentially means the degree to which attendees are captivated by and participating in your event.
The benefits of fully engaging attendees go beyond getting more time to make an impression. According to science, your brain treats engagement and winning a reward exactly the same. The burst of dopamine our brains released at either engagement or reward leads to enhanced positivity and elevated perception.
In short, an engaged attendee will feel satisfied with their experience with your brand long after the ride home.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when designing for a crowd. To create experiences that resonate, start by envisioning an individual. Just one. Think of how you could capture that attendee’s attention throughout the course of the event, then design experiences that facilitate meaningful one-on-one interaction with your brand.
People can be fascinated by simple, positive surprises—especially when they earn them. Augmented reality is one way to deliver the unexpected at an event, but you can also use good, old fashioned clues. Imagine if attendees were challenged to find a hidden room to see a VIP speaker. Or, complete a scavenger hunt in exchange for swag. Consider your goal, then find ways to draw attendees into a mystery that they need to uncover.
Give attendees a reason to share their on-site experiences with unique vignettes and interesting elements. This not only drives their connectivity but gives you access to their community of followers.
We’re big fans of branded rest-and-recharge stations, especially at large trade shows and events. The casual atmosphere allows for relaxed business conversations. Additionally, when attendees interact with people multiple times in smaller settings it leads to more meaningful and longer-lasting relationships.
When designing an engagement, it’s vital to go beyond what’s entertaining and ensure that the experience is relevant. Create a conversation around your “why. Whether that’s giving back or solving a bigger-than-our-brand problem, it gives attendees a chance to be part of something bigger than themselves.
From education sessions to networking opportunities, doing fewer things really well drives up the quality of each individual attendee’s experience.
Fresh Wata has over 20 years of experience designing and producing the unique, compelling, and memorable event experiences your event attendees crave. Check out our recent work, or call (702) 889-0935 to get in touch.
