Event planning isn't easy. There's a lot to juggle with tasks like budgeting, registration, marketing, and post-event feedback. And while you're at it, you just cannot forget to create interactive events that engage and entertain attendees.
So, where do you start? This post will help you do just that. Read our top 9 interactive event ideas that get everyone involved and having fun.
1. Install Photo Booths
Everyone loves a photo booth. It’s a great way to let your attendees capture their event experience in fun photos. Modern photo booths can do more than take pictures; they can also create GIFs and videos.
Take event interactivity to the next level by getting attendees to share those photos on your social wall. This gives them a fun activity, and you get loads of content to use in your post-event marketing activities. And as attendees share their photos on social media, it amplifies the reach of your event and attracts more attention and potential attendees for your next event.
2. Award Attendees for Participation
Showing attendees that you appreciate their participation can boost engagement in a big way. Awarding prizes for different categories encourages them to get involved and rewards the most engaged.
For example, you could award the person with the most correct answers in a quiz or who asked the most questions in an AMA. Use various platforms in the market to create leaderboards and display the top participants on a big screen throughout your event to create a competitive spirit and highlight and celebrate active participation.
3. Ask Me Anything (AMA) Sessions
Following up on the last point, Q&A sessions are great for keeping audiences engaged, but Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions can be a game changer. Ask attendees to submit their questions before and during the talk, with the twist that they can ask anything they want.
This format allows attendees to discuss their specific situations and receive tailored advice, making the session super relevant and personal. AMA sessions encourage openness and direct interaction with speakers or experts and give your audience valuable insights they can relate to.
4. Schedule Roleplays and Simulations
Roleplays are great for simplifying complex topics and helping attendees absorb more information, especially at learning-focused events. Get participants to team up and act out scenarios live.
For instance, at a customer experience conference, attendees could pair up and reenact a conversation between a customer support rep and an angry customer. This is one of the best interactive corporate event ideas, and it works well in small breakout sessions. However, you can also do it on the main stage with an audience debrief and Q&A.
5. Don't Just Talk, Do! Hands-on Workshops for Engaged Attendees
Whether a conference, festival, or meetup, hands-on workshops are a great way to get attendees involved. These interactive sessions run alongside your main program and have attendees dive in and get hands-on with the content.
Looking for interactive ideas?
At a digital marketing conference, you could do website audit workshops where attendees get to roll up their sleeves and audit their own site. Similarly, why not do a "build your own mini garden" workshop for a sustainability event? Participants learn a new skill and leave with a little green friend to nurture.
These workshops add a personal touch to your event, make it memorable and educational for everyone involved, and ensure interactive event experiences.
6. Get Social, Get Buzzing
Another aspect of social media is hosting contests on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok. These can really increase online engagement and buzz. Ask attendees to participate in activities such as answering trivia questions, joining an online quiz, or simply sharing photos of their event experience. Make it even more enticing by offering a prize for the winner
Combine your social media contest with a social media wall for maximum impact. Display all the entries on a big screen for everyone to see, creating buzz and getting more attendees to join in. Seeing their contributions live can increase their sense of participation and make your event more memorable.
7. Game Shows
Finding interactive entertainment for virtual events can be tough, but game shows are the answer. Here are a few to choose from:
- Family Feud: This is always the top choice as it's team-based and encourages communication and teamwork.
- Jeopardy: Test attendee's knowledge on a wide range of topics in a fun, competitive format.
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Create excitement with this classic trivia game where participants can win virtual prizes.
- Name That Tune: A fun way to engage music lovers by having them guess songs from short clips.
Pro Tip: Set clear ground rules to make this virtual event idea run smoothly and keep everyone engaged. For example, tell participants when to use the mute button to avoid overlapping answers and keep the conversation flowing. Setting these expectations upfront will help create a more organized and fun experience for everyone involved.
8. Host Panel Discussions
Panel discussions are a great way to create an interactive and dynamic environment at events. These thrive on audience input, so they are very engaging. To host a panel discussion, gather a group of experts on a topic and allow attendees to ask questions. This Q&A format keeps the audience engaged as their questions steer the conversation in meaningful directions.
This format gives valuable insights from multiple perspectives, allows attendees to feel heard and involved, and creates a more inclusive and interactive environment.
9. Gamify Your Event
Gamification is another excellent event engagement idea that increases attendee participation. For festivals, why not set up a scavenger hunt? It's a great way for people to explore the venue and engage with clues and tasks.
In a corporate setting, participation quests can encourage networking. Imagine tasks like "find someone with the same job title" or "collect business cards from three new contacts." Adding leaderboards will bring out the competitive spirit and encourage attendees to get more involved as they see their names move up the list. Quizzes and trivia games, especially if themed to your event, will be a hit and keep attendees entertained.
If you plan to use event software like a mobile app, add in-app games to keep everyone entertained during breaks. Don't forget to offer points for participation in various activities—attendees can redeem these for prizes or rewards, adding an extra layer of fun.
3 Top Tips for Hosting Interactive Events
Hosting an interactive event requires moving away from the traditional structured format to a more fluid and engaging experience. This is what makes these events so enjoyable and memorable for attendees.
Here are three tips to help you host your next event without feeling overwhelmed.
1. Get a Pro Moderator
To make your event run smoothly, get a pro moderator. A good moderator will guide the attendees and keep the order and the energy up. They are like the captain of the ship, making sure the journey is fun and engaging and preventing any chaos. With a pro at the helm, you can allow attendees to explore and participate without losing control of the event.
2. Be Creative
Speakers are the backbone of any conference, but sticking to traditional 45-minute sessions can make your event feel stale. Instead, encourage your speakers to use more interactive formats like Q&A sessions or panel discussions. Talk to them beforehand to see how much time they need and how they like to engage with the audience. Giving them flexibility in their presentation can make the sessions more dynamic and keep the attendees actively involved.
3. Use Digital Tools
More than 81% of virtual event marketers use event management tools to boost audience engagement and interaction. Use digital tools that not only streamline any event type but also allow attendees to submit questions, feedback, and opinions anonymously. These tools can help facilitate engagement, especially for those who might be shy to speak up in a big group. You can capture a wider input range and keep the interaction alive using digital tools.
The Benefits of Hosting Interactive Events
Interactive events can keep people engaged throughout the whole event. By providing hands-on experiences, interactive events allow people to absorb information and gain valuable insights.
They create a space for people to connect, network, collaborate, and break the ice with simple conversations.
This, in turn, makes your event memorable for attendees, who can potentially boost your event's reach and ROI through word of mouth. Plus, the honest feedback during interactive sessions allows you to tailor future events.
Create Interactive Events with Cvent
Use these to make your event memorable and get attendees to come back for more. Choose the ones that fit your industry, event type, and audience, and make them fun. When attendees have a good time and learn a lot, they will return for more.
Let Cvent help you make your events interactive. Our on-site solutions and virtual event platform can take your attendees' experience to the next level. Book a live demo to see the magic of Cvent. Let the fun start!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still curious about how you can host better interactive events? Check out our FAQs to learn more.
1. How do I make my conference more interactive?
Here are a few quick ones: polls and quizzes to test audience knowledge, breakout sessions with hands-on activities, or even a game show. Social media walls where attendees share their thoughts and photos are great for keeping the energy up. Don't forget to incentivize participation by offering prizes for the most engaged attendees. By adding a few interactive elements, you can make your conference a real show.
2. How do you come up with an event idea?
Brainstorming is the key. Think about your audience's interests and what knowledge gaps you can fill. Consider current event trends, popular topics, or even the skills people want to learn. Once you have a general theme, think interactive. Workshops, game shows, pop-up events, or panel discussions with audience Q&A can all spice things up. Don't be afraid to get weird—the most engaging events are often the most unusual.
3. How do you get people to a conference?
Highlight the wow factor in your marketing to get people excited. Show off big-name speakers, unique workshops, or interactive elements in your marketing. Encourage pre-event social media with a branded hashtag to create a sense of community. Offer early bird discounts or limited-edition swag to get people to register. You can turn mild interest into a must-attend by building up and showcasing the value they will get.
