You're organizing an event. How do you engage attendees before, during, and after the event?

1 Pre-Event Buzz

Creating anticipation is key to engaging your attendees even before the event begins. Start by crafting compelling invitations that highlight the unique experiences your event offers. Utilize social media platforms to tease content, speakers, or activities. Encourage early interaction by creating event hashtags, hosting pre-event contests, or offering sneak peeks of what's to come. This not only builds excitement but also starts the conversation early, making attendees feel part of the event's community from the get-go.

2 Interactive Agenda

Once the event is underway, keep your attendees actively involved with an interactive agenda. Provide a mobile app or an online platform where they can view the schedule, learn about speakers, and even customize their own itinerary. Encourage live polling and Q&A sessions during presentations to foster a two-way conversation. Workshops and breakout sessions can also be great platforms for attendees to engage with the content and each other in a more intimate setting.

3 Real-Time Updates

Communication during the event is critical to keep attendees informed and engaged. Use social media and event apps to provide real-time updates about what's happening. This can include reminders about upcoming sessions, changes in scheduling, or highlights from earlier in the day. Consider having a dedicated social media team to interact with attendees online, share photos, and livestream parts of the event to maintain a buzz and ensure nobody misses out on key moments.

4 Networking Opportunities

Facilitating networking is another powerful way to engage your attendees. Create spaces and times for attendees to connect with one another, such as networking lounges or scheduled mixers. Use technology like networking apps or platforms that match attendees with similar interests to help break the ice. Encouraging attendees to connect over shared experiences or interests can lead to meaningful interactions that extend beyond the event itself.

5 Post-Event Engagement

The engagement shouldn't stop when the event ends. Follow up with attendees through emails or surveys to gather feedback and provide additional resources related to the event content. Share recordings of sessions or keynotes for those who couldn't attend or wish to revisit certain topics. By continuing the conversation post-event, you help maintain the sense of community and keep your event fresh in their minds, potentially increasing interest in future events.

6 Lasting Impressions

Finally, create lasting impressions by expressing gratitude and providing value after the event. Send personalized thank-you messages or small tokens of appreciation that remind attendees of their experience. Share a summary of the event's highlights or a video montage that captures key moments. This not only shows your appreciation for their participation but also reinforces the positive experiences they had, keeping the momentum going for future engagements.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?