Tips for Planners Looking to Boost Engagement and Productivity

How do you orchestrate an impactful meeting? One that sparks interest, boosts engagement and productivity? That’s a challenge many meeting planners face. The answer may be found in organizing programs that stimulate both physical and mental faculties.  Below are several suggestions that will help fulfill both high levels of engagement and productivity. 

Plan a destination/experience meeting – Give your group an unforgettable experience with a destination meeting.  Tapping into the vibe of an area will give your attendees a chance to truly experience the destination. Meeting planners hoping to boost attendee engagement may want to incorporate an understanding of the destination through local history and interests. Museums, art exhibits, and historical landmarks within the area will reveal the destination’s culture. Consider private historical tours via foot, coach, bike, or boat. A cruise along ocean bluff tops or around Newport Beach’s natural estuary on electric Pedego bikes is an experience guests are sure to remember and one that many locals often enjoy.

Emphasize health benefits, both physical and mental – Nothing creates engagement faster than getting attendees out of the ballroom and into the destination. This can be as simple as holding sessions outdoors in the fresh air, or a day of team building that highlights the destination.  

Along with the obvious physical benefits, a slightly competitive adventure or a community give-back can do wonders for the spirit. Team building activities are often an important part of a company conference. Upper management will tell you that team building can highlight leadership skills, inspire creativity, and encourage collaboration. Rather than relying on the same indoor group activities, games, and icebreakers to promote teamwork, try thinking outside the box (or in this case, outside the office) and watch your company get excited and motivated to participate in group activities! Outdoor activities naturally reduce stress and promote positive emotions, creating the perfect environment for team bonding. Groups heading to the coast of Orange County are in luck as these beachside communities have a seemingly endless array of group activities that are sure to keep everyone engaged.

Get Social – We’re living in the age of social media, whether you know how to use it or not, it’s here to stay. Incorporating picture-worthy moments into your group program will naturally help boost engagement. Creating these socially inspiring activities can be fairly easy. Try adding a photo booth and a few props to an event where attendees can gather and shoot plenty of ‘selfies’ that they can then post on their social channels as well as those of the company. You can also design a customizable gif that can be used on Instagram or create an event #hashtag to help your group share their experience.

Of course, technology can only go so far in keeping your group engaged, offering informative sessions with a destination experience will be key.

Boost attendee engagement

Create a friendly environment for interaction – The physical setting can further engagement, or discourage it. One way to guarantee involvement is with your seating arrangements.  Swap the traditional ballroom seating for round tables or rows facing each other. Opt for soiree tables or bistro tables. You can even ditch tradition completely and choose comfy lounge furniture where attendees feel much more relaxed to interact.  In fact, neuroscientists say that relaxation inspires creativity, which invites ideas and thus collaboration. 

Divide content – Ask speakers to break presentations down into 10 – 15 minute sound bites in order to keep things engaging. At the end of each sound bite, ask speakers to involve participants by breaking into small groups or pairs to discuss questions or complete a short exercise.

These quick tips are sure to engage your team, boost productivity, and lead to a successful event.