Feel the pulse, corporate event visionaries! Let’s talk about engagement at your events – whether live, virtual or hybrid.

But why the emphasis on engagement?

Engagement is that pivotal element at your event that will resonate long after the curtains close and your attendees have round-filed their conference badges. Engagement contributes to the overall success, impact, and post-event-buzz!

Innovation, Collaboration, and Learning Walk into a Bar…

Attendee engagement becomes the dynamic mixologist stirring the perfect cocktail of innovation, collaboration, and learning. Cultivating a setting that fosters these activities sets the stage for extraordinary things to unfold at your event! Interactive sessions, workshops, and discussions encourage participants to share ideas and insights, potentially leading to fresh and inventive solutions, and enhanced learning experiences.

Positive Vibes Only!

Satisfaction levels skyrocket when participants feel acknowledged and appreciated. Engaged attendees are more likely to have a positive overall experience, contributing to their satisfaction. When participants feel involved, heard, and valued, they enjoy the vibrant connections and valuable information swirling around them; this will enhance their overall perception of the event and the company, increasing the likelihood that they’ll post and comment positively, not to mention increasing the odds that they’ll attend future events.

Digital Spotlight and Brand Recognition

Now, let’s talk brand exposure—this is the red-carpet moment for your company. Engagement and active participation by attendees who share their experiences online contribute to the event’s visibility – helping to build brand recognition. In addition, engaged participants become ambassadors for your event! They are more likely to share event details, invite others, and contribute to word-of-mouth.

Track ROI

Hold on to your metrics, because here comes the ROI! Engagement isn’t just a feel-good metric; it’s a goldmine of insights. Track the social media chatter, survey responses, and attendee feedback. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about deciphering the secret language of engagement for future event brilliance.

Develop a unique and catchy event hashtag that participants can use when posting on social media platforms. Do you have a theme? Incorporate it into the hashtag. Encourage its use in all event-related posts.

With the collaboration of your marketing team and your production company’s creative media experts, create social media campaigns for your event. Launch pre-event and live campaigns to generate buzz on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Reddit, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Share behind-the-scenes content, speaker highlights, and sneak peeks to build anticipation.

Utilize live streaming platforms like Facebook Live, Instagram Live, or YouTube Live to broadcast key moments, presentations, and interviews. This allows remote audiences to participate and engages those at the event.

Alternatively, you can pre-plan and broadcast your “live stream” to attendees, simulating it as a live event. This approach significantly reduces the risk of connection issues for both the audience and speakers, as well as potential content mishaps. Discuss the topic of simulating live events with your event production partner for seamless, lower-risk execution.

Consider creating interactive content with polls, surveys, and Q&A sessions on platforms like X or Instagram to involve the audience directly. Display live social media feeds on screens at the event venue. Use your toolbox of event apps to reach attendees before, during and after the event.

Set up interactive photo and video booths with well-thought-out, quality props related to the event theme. Your production and media partner can provide ideation for this to ensure unique and fun options. Encourage attendees to share their experiences on social media using the event hashtag.

Partner with the leaders who are attending the event. This could be industry leaders, successful senior team members, executives or stakeholders that have a vested interest in your company’s success. Their endorsement and coverage can boost credibility and attract a wider audience. You could go the route of celebrities, authors, or other famous individuals, but be careful – the goal here is to boost credibility!

Host social media contests and giveaways leading up to and during the event. If your event is streaming to an at-home audience, consider the social media contests that are built into the virtual event platform. Again, your event production company can help with creative options that align with your brand, theme and goals for the event. Whether a live, virtual, or hybrid event, encourage participants to share their entries, generating more visibility for your event.

In the words of Jean Luc Picard, “engage“! Just as the captain directed his crew to action, you too can guide your corporate event attendees towards active participation. Encourage interaction with thought-provoking questions, fostering discussions, and welcoming feedback across social media platforms.

Once Picard instructed his crew to “engage”, he always followed it with setting the course for the warp speed he wanted – similarly, your engagement strategy should also be guided by clear objectives and direction. Interact directly with attendees to make them feel not just present, but truly valued participants. Harness the power of polling software to gauge opinions, gather insights, and drive real-time engagement before, during, and after the event. Presenting live results adds a dynamic element, enhancing the sense of involvement and excitement among your audience.

Set up social media walls that display real-time posts and interactions from attendees, and display it on the projection screen during breaks. This can create a sense of community and encourage people to share their experiences.

Create visually appealing and shareable content such as infographics, quotes, and short videos to capture attention and encourage sharing. Your event production company’s media team can help prepare this content, so that it weaves nicely into your overall program.

Use specialized event networking apps that integrate with social media platforms. This allows attendees to connect and engage with each other before, during, and after the event. Apps such as Bizzabo, Whova, or Hopin (formerly Attendify) often include social features that allow attendees to connect, engage in discussions, and share updates. In addition, you can create event-specific groups on WhatsApp or Telegram. This provides a more private space for attendees to connect, share information, and discuss event-related topics.

Keep the excitement alive after the event ends by sharing the highlights, key takeaways, and unforgettable moments on your social media platforms.

Does your production company also produce powerful and creative videos? Show a highlight video at the close of your event. This not only breathes new life into the event content but also keeps your audience engaged and buzzing with excitement. By reliving the best moments, you extend the event’s impact and inspire ongoing conversations among attendees and followers alike.

Consider posting the highlight video on LinkedIn, YouTube, and your website to foster positive comments and amplify awareness of the event’s success.

Encourage attendees to share their thoughts and experiences through surveys during the conference, such as Slido or Mentimeter, or on social media. This not only provides valuable feedback but also keeps the conversation going.

The role of social media in driving engagement at corporate events cannot be overstated. Work closely with your event production and media partner to optimize and enhance your engagement strategy. It is about more than just likes and shares; it can be a powerful force that forges connections, sparks innovation, and leaves smiles on the faces of your attendees and participants.

Remember to tailor these strategies to your specific event and audience. The key is to create a seamless, friendly, and interactive experience that encourages your audience to connect.

As the social pulse beats on, it will help you to create shared experiences, brand recognition, and a community bond that resonates long after the event concludes.