Organising a conference is no small feat. As the host, you want attendees to walk away feeling inspired and rewarded for their time. This means conceptualising an event that’s educational yet entertaining.
Use the following ideas to inject more activities into your next Melbourne conference. Keep participants actively engaged so they get the most out of the experience.
1. Kick Off with an Icebreaker Activity
Ease people out of their shells right from the start with a fun icebreaker game. This could be as simple as having them share fun facts on a bingo card. Icebreakers get conversations started so attendees make connections faster.
2. Plan Breakout Brainstorming Sessions
Divide your audience into small groups and have them spend 10-15 minutes brainstorming ideas related to your event theme. Assign each group a volunteer to record ideas and report back key points. This structured idea exchange keeps people collaborating.
3. Host a Crowdsourced Q&A Panel
Get attendees talking by collecting questions ahead of a moderated Q&A session. Have panel experts give short teasers to prompt submissions. Select 8-10 intriguing questions to discuss on stage. The crowdsourced aspect makes the audience feel heard.
4. Sprinkle in Energising Movement Breaks
Sitting still all day makes it harder to stay engaged. Schedule quick recharge breaks every 60-90 minutes so participants can stand, stretch and shake it out. Play fun music and lead some simple movements. This physical mental reset boosts energy and focus.
5. Gamify Key Concepts with Interactive Polling
Digital poling platforms let you quiz participants to gauge comprehension. Poll participants after lectures, then review the correct answers. Friendly trivia-style competition incentivises listening and makes lessons stickier.
6. Host a Conference Hackathon
Hackathons encourage rapid collaboration by having teams brainstorm innovative solutions for a defined problem. Outline the expected output then have groups pitch their big ideas to judges. Award fun prizes for creativity. The ticking clock builds energising momentum.
7. Plan a Mid-Event Wellness Activity
Take a break from heady content by scheduling in wellness conference activity. This could be guided meditation, chair massages or a short nature walk. Promote community building while also letting minds recharge. Attendees will return to sessions feeling refreshed.
8. Close with an Uplifting Music Performance
Research shows that listening to music releases dopamine and makes people feel happier. After intense days of learning, wrap up your event on a melodic high note. Hire a local singer-songwriter or band to deliver an inspiring set.
9. Set Up Thoughtful Networking Opportunities
Don’t underestimate the impact of great conversations. Facilitate meaningful networking by planning icebreaker games, group brainstorms and world cafe style roundtables. Set up cosy lounge spaces so new connections turn into collaborations.
10. Create Surprise Moments of Delight
Look for moments in the event journey to surprise and delight, like serving participants’ favourite coffee at breaks or handing out branded giveaways. These small acts of hospitality make people feel special for choosing your conference.
Inspire and engage your Melbourne conference audience by incorporating interactive elements into your schedule. Clever conference activity breaks up lectures while encouraging memorable conversations and learnings. Participants will leave feeling energised about applying new knowledge.
Bring Your Conference Vision to Life
Hosting an impactful conference requires thoughtful planning and creative vision. You want attendees to walk away truly inspired by the experience. Aside from informative talks, think about incorporating various types of memorable conference activity. Interactive elements like crowdsourced panels, wellness breaks, and surprise musical moments make the event more engaging.
For more ideas on planning the perfect conference experience, check out this detailed conference organising guide. Their comprehensive advice helps turn your vision into a can’t-miss event.