{"id":9614,"date":"2023-03-15T08:00:42","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T08:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/?p=9614"},"modified":"2023-05-18T14:18:12","modified_gmt":"2023-05-18T14:18:12","slug":"fun-conference-activities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adamchristing.com\/blog\/fun-conference-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Conference Activities That Will Engage Your Audience"},"content":{"rendered":"

No conference is complete without some fun and interactive activities to keep the people entertained. Here are six of my favorite conference activities that keep things interesting from start to finish.<\/span><\/p>\n

My Top Activity Picks<\/b><\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. It’s always a good idea to start with <\/span>icebreakers<\/b><\/li>\n
  2. For either an in-person or virtual event, host a <\/span>scavenger hunt<\/b><\/li>\n
  3. A <\/span>trivia competition<\/b> can encourage fun while spreading new knowledge<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Group attendees together for some <\/span>World Cafes<\/b><\/li>\n
  5. Host a <\/span>talent show!<\/b><\/li>\n
  6. Encourage some <\/span>show and tell<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    See Related:\u00a0The Best Conference Entertainment Ideas Of 2023<\/a><\/p>\n

    #1. Start With Icebreakers<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Each conference should be <\/span>unique<\/span><\/i>. There should always be something that sets your event apart<\/a> from the rest. You want all attendees to go home and <\/span>remember the event<\/span><\/i>. Make a mark in their minds.<\/span><\/p>\n

    But you can’t just <\/span>jump into some crazy activity without getting the people ready<\/span><\/i>. There’s probably a good chunk of people out there who are in their<\/span> shells<\/span><\/a>. Not all of us are extroverts who are prepared to max out the social meter at the first chance.<\/span><\/p>\n

    To kick off your conference, you should always open with simple activities that get people’s brains flowing and mouths moving. It’s the first step to getting your attendees comfortable. And once they’re comfortable, <\/span>the real fun can start!<\/b><\/p>\n

    A safe place to start is always with some icebreakers. With the right ones, you can really get people to open up and get things started on the right foot.<\/span><\/p>\n

    There are plenty of different types of icebreaker activities out there, <\/span>and it’s essential to pick the right ones for your audience<\/b>. Not all activities will fit your audience.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Traditionally,<\/span> icebreakers<\/span><\/a> start with simple questions. It gets people thinking and sharing some info on themselves with those around them.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Human<\/span>Keeping Your Conference Interesting With <\/b>ICEBREAKERS<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

    Here are ten of my personal favorite <\/span>ICEBREAKER<\/b><\/span> ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n

    I<\/span> – Introductions<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Here’s a simple starter! For smaller groups, this works perfectly. <\/span>Have attendees introduce themselves<\/b> and share an interesting fact about themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    You can make this “fact” as interesting as you want (i.e., have them share their favorite ice cream flavor or dream vacation location.)<\/span><\/p>\n

    C<\/span> – Collaborative Puzzle<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Time to get creative! <\/span><\/i>Divide attendees into teams and <\/span>give each team a puzzle to solve together<\/b>. This gets people collaborating while encouraging communication and teamwork.<\/span><\/p>\n

    E<\/span> – Energizers<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Who says icebreakers need to be about chatting? <\/span>Lead some quick physical energizers<\/b> like stretching or dancing.<\/span><\/p>\n

    B<\/span> – Brainstorming<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Pose a question or challenge related to the conference theme<\/a> and <\/span>have attendees brainstorm ideas<\/b> and solutions in groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

    R<\/span> – Role Playing<\/b><\/h4>\n

    This can be a fun twist to many regular icebreakers. <\/span>Create scenarios about common workplace challenges <\/b>and have attendees act out different roles. This can help promote understanding and empathy in the workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

    E<\/span> – Excursions<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Not all icebreakers need to be done sitting down. <\/span>Organize an off-site excursion or tour <\/b>related to the conference theme, allowing attendees to explore and connect outside the conference venue.<\/span><\/p>\n

    A<\/span> – Amusing Questions<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Thought-provoking questions are often one of the best ways for people to open up. <\/span>Ask attendees amusing questions<\/b>, such as “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?” or “What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?”<\/span><\/p>\n

    K<\/span> – Knowledge Exchange<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Allow attendees to share skills or ideas with each other.<\/b> You can set up stations where people can share ideas or knowledge, such as language skills or how to code.<\/span><\/p>\n

    E<\/span> – Empathy Map<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Let attendees fill out an<\/b> empathy map<\/b><\/a> together.<\/b> By working in pairs or small groups, they can learn more about each other and better understand others in the organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

    R<\/span> – Random Pairing<\/b><\/h4>\n

    Pairing up people is perfect for getting people comfortable and letting new friendships form. <\/span>Use a random pairing tool to group up attendees<\/b> for brief conversations, encouraging networking and building new connections.<\/span><\/p>\n

    There are countless icebreaker ideas out there. Ensure you <\/span>know your audience<\/b>, and pick an icebreaker activity based on the attendees. Icebreakers aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all, so be mindful of what will work best.<\/span><\/p>\n

    As a corporate emcee<\/a>, I’ve learned to match my conference or event activities with those attending. That’s how I can create an entertaining and interactive experience that lasts longer than the event itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"Star<\/span>#2. Put On A Scavenger Hunt<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Not all conferences are in-person. There are plenty of hybrid or virtual conferences that take place, and it’s essential to find great ideas for those too.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Scavenger hunts are great conference activities that can take place in person or virtually. Let’s explore what an <\/span>in-person scavenger hunt<\/b> would look like.<\/span><\/p>\n

    You can start by hiding objects or items around the venue for an in-person scavenger hunt. Then, when it’s time for the activity to start, give attendees a list of things around the room. <\/span>The first one to find them all wins!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

    (Of course, you can create variations as you see fit in order to suit the venue and type of conference properly.)<\/span><\/p>\n

    For a <\/span>virtual scavenger hunt<\/b>, it will be the same<\/span> general idea<\/span><\/a> but a <\/span>bit<\/span><\/i> different. You’ll have a list of items again, but it’s up to the attendees to find them around their own homes. They can also take photos of items. You can include things like:<\/span><\/p>\n