Let’s face it, events can be a drag if they’re not done right. We’ve all been to those snooze-fests where you’re counting down the minutes until you can escape. But, we’ve got some tips to increase your audience engagement during your live event and keep them glued to their seats (or, you know, standing around networking).

With over five years of experience in the TV and Media industry, we’ve successfully organized and managed numerous B2B events. Check out our work and success stories here. 

In any kind of event, whether it’s a conference or a trade show or an experiential event, the most important point to focus on is the people attending. Without the people staying on the show floor (or in the room), it’s still an event, but not a successful one. So, how can we keep attendees on the show floor? 

*All images were created through Generative AI. 

Here are 5 quick ideas:

Curate a Compelling Program (A celebrity appearance could go a long way):

• Offer a diverse and engaging program with a mix of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
• Ensure the content is relevant to your target audience and aligns with their interests.
• If you have access to someone famous in that industry, that brings a lot of value and credibility to the event and increases audience participation.

Offer Value-Added Experiences (People love exclusives):

• Provide attendees with exclusive opportunities or perks that they won’t find elsewhere.
• This could include access to VIP lounges, networking events, or exclusive product demos or even after-parties. (We have all been to trade shows in Vegas and know how it happens.)
• Consider partnering with other brands or organizations to offer additional value to attendees.

Leverage Technology:

• Utilize technology to enhance the attendee experience and keep them engaged.
• This could include mobile apps, interactive displays, or gamification elements.
• Ensure that your technology is user-friendly and adds value to the event.

Foster a Sense of Community:

• Create opportunities for attendees to connect with each other and build relationships.
• This could include breakout rooms, post event networking, social gatherings, or online communities.
• Encourage attendees to share their experiences on social media using event-specific hashtags.

Prizes, Giveaways, Gifts:

• Include brands in the agenda that can offer free giveaways. 
• Conduct a coupon based lucky draw for a grand prize for one or two lucky winners. 
• A simple custom notepad to take notes during the event will increase the chances of people staying in the room.