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If networking is an important part of your upcoming corporate event, these tips will help you get people connecting. This builds a sense of community which helps guests feel invested in your brand or company. When it comes to fundraising efforts or rallying investors, the relationships you build around your brand are paramount.

There’s also the obvious attraction of getting your guests to have fun to consider. This will deliver value to them which improves how they feel about your company. It also creates amazing opportunities for event content like photos and video that you can share on your socials later.

Corporate Events: Crucial Elements That Spark Conversation and Connection

1- Corporate Events Should Appeal To Introverts

The extroverts at your function will mostly take care of themselves. By appealing to introverts as well, however, you include these thoughtful, self-aware types that often make ideal brand loyalists. Furthermore, by catering to those slower to warm up, you’ll actually deepen everyone’s experience.

Introverts enjoy comfort, true connection, and one-on-one interaction. They sometimes need a low-key space to recharge after (or during) social gatherings. By incorporating small, intimate sitting areas with warm lighting and soft music, you can draw people into situations where they can connect with fellow attendees.

Regular breaks between speakers or guided activities provide time for guests to reflect and recharge. Spaces with comfortable seating and dim lights are perfect for one-on-one conversations or quiet contemplation.

Other great ideas during your event planning include mindfulness rooms featuring yoga, meditation, or a place to regroup and activities that help people bond. We’ll talk more about these types of games further down on the list.

2- Clearly Mark Pathways And Detail Expectations

The weeks leading up to your event create a great time to market to future attendees. One way to do this is to send an email with very detailed instructions about your venue and how to enter the event. This helps people feel more comfortable upon arrival while simultaneously giving you a valuable reason to reach out.

Avoid any awkwardness guests feel when they first arrive by including many signs and clear pathways they should follow. This also gives you an opportunity to gently guide them through your event without herding them like sheep.

The signs provide opportunities to drive home branding (include your logo on all of them). Additionally, you can set up each environment that your guests will flow through in a way that influences their mood or behavior.

This is subtle and more effective than you might think. Brainstorm some ways you can enhance guests experience as they move through your venue after arrival.

Nametags offer more creative options. Encourage guests to include something about themselves other than their name on the tag. This helps people connect during the event and serves as a conversation starter.

3- Require A Friendly Staff

If every vendor and staff member at your event is friendly and warm, guests will feel welcome. Yet again, this creates a certain impression of your brand. It also helps people feel more open.

A simple smile when staff makes eye contact with a guest can make a big impression. What other ways can you offer this personal touch?

4- Organize Games And Activities

Small talk and icebreaker games are important during your event. Think about boardgames and trivia cards and where you can place them to get conversations started. Scavenger hunts or games where attendees have to share something with their neighbor, whether it’s a sticker or a fact about themselves, will get your group to start connecting.

5- Allow Guests To Submit Panel Questions Electronically

If you have Q&A sessions planned, consider letting guests submit their questions electronically. You can do this via social media groups or apps made specifically for your event. Hashtags that relate to your event are another great way to allow people to get involved without putting them on the spot.

This also gives you some representation on social media at the same time.

You’ll ultimately get more participation because people can jot down their questions during panels or throughout the event rather than forgetting them. The anonymous submission also gives greater insight into what people truly think.

Whether you’re preparing team building events, business events, or trade shows—these tips can be applied to any corporate event to really encourage and solidify connections and overall positive experience.