Event engagement goes beyond scoring record-breaking attendee numbers; it’s about keeping them entertained, engaged, and comfortable throughout the event.
Engaged guests are more likely to remember the event and the company that organized it. They’ll also be more likely to talk about your organization long after the event wraps.
According to a study by Oxford Economics, face-to-face meetings and events are key drivers of deepening business relationships, with as much as 22% of new customers generated from in-person events. This statistic highlights the importance of well-organized corporate events in building and keeping crucial connections.
Pre-Event Engagement: Sparking Bonds
The relationship-building process starts even before the event. Engaging attendees from the get-go lays the foundation for a more connected event engagement experience.
- Tailored Communication: Reach out with personalized messages that resonate with each attendee’s role and interests within the organization.
- Interactive Pre-Event Platforms: Try interactive platforms, like your event mobile app, for attendees to start discussions, share expectations, and build excitement.
Themed Environments: Cultivating a Shared Identity Through Event Engagement
Creating a themed environment at your event that reflects the community’s culture and values can enhance attendees’ sense of belonging and connection – especially for first-time attendees!
- Brand Immersion: Use the event space to tell your brand’s story, fostering a deeper emotional connection with the brand while offering Instagrammable moments.
- Shared Experiences: Design group activities, like a Scavenger Hunt, and experiences that align with the theme, encouraging collaboration and shared memories for better event engagement.
Networking with Purpose: Using Event Engagement to Build Professional Connections
Facilitating meaningful networking opportunities strengthens professional relationships and cultivates personal bonds with your community members.
- Structured Networking Sessions: Organize networking events with specific goals, such as mentorship, knowledge-sharing roundtables, or collaboration on new initiatives.
- Celebrating Success: Recognizing individual and team accomplishments is essential to building a culture of appreciation and mutual respect. You can use a welcome slideshow as attendees walk into the keynote session to highlight the efforts of your community. This can help to energize and engage your audience before the speaker takes the stage.
Personalized Appreciation: Acknowledging Individual Contributions
Personalizing your appreciation shows attendees their contributions and presence are valued, which is crucial for deepening relationships.
- Customized Tokens of Gratitude: Offer personalized gifts or acknowledgments that reflect each attendee’s unique contribution.
- Spotlight Stories: Share stories of individual or team successes during the event on social media, highlighting how each contributes to the organization’s overall success.
Engaging Content: Fostering Collaboration and Growth
Providing engaging, relevant content encourages collaboration and professional growth, which are crucial drivers in strengthening business relationships.
- Interactive Learning Sessions: Incorporate workshops and panel discussions that promote collaboration and hand-raising among attendees.
- Expert Panels: Invite industry experts to discuss trends and insights, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
Post-Event Engagement: Sustaining the Connection
The end of the event is not the end of the relationship-building process! Post-event engagement keeps your event on attendees’ minds and can encourage them to join future events.
- Follow-Up Communication: Personalized thank-you messages reinforce connections, and show continued appreciation for attendees’ participation.
- Ongoing Communities: Create online groups or forums where attendees can continue to network, share ideas, and collaborate with post-event. Their discussion can also fuel your programming and education.
Focus on Well-Being: Showing Care Beyond Business
Including elements that promote well-being in your event shows attendees that their overall health and happiness are valued. This can significantly strengthen relational bonds.
- Wellness Activities: Offer sessions focused on mental and physical well-being, such as mindfulness workshops, yoga breaks, or chair fitness. Including elements that promote well-being in your event proves to attendees that their overall health and happiness are valued.
- Relaxation Zones: Create spaces for attendees to unwind and recharge, showing consideration for their comfort and well-being.
Meetings and events are potent catalysts for building and strengthening relationships by creating an environment that values personal connections, celebrates individual contributions and fosters a sense of belonging. The positive experiences and memories enhance the event’s immediate impact and lay the groundwork for long-term loyalty and engagement within your community.
