In this article, we will discuss the key features to make sure attendees engage with your conference platform.
What does Engagement Actually Mean?
Engagement refers to the active involvement, participation, and interaction of individuals in a specific activity or event. In the context of virtual conferences and events, attendee engagement refers to the extent to which participants are actively participating, interacting, and showing interest in the conference platform and its content. Engaged attendees are fully immersed in the event, contributing through activities like asking questions, participating in discussions, networking with others, and taking part in interactive sessions.
Why is Attendee Engagement Important?
Attendee engagement is crucial for the success of any conference, whether it is in-person or virtual. Engaged attendees are more likely to participate, learn, and retain information from the conference. They are also more likely to return for future events and recommend the conference to others.
In the virtual world, attendee engagement is even more critical. With the lack of face-to-face interaction, it can be challenging to keep attendees engaged and interested in the conference. This is where the conference platform plays a crucial role. By utilising the platform effectively, you can create a meaningful and interactive experience for attendees.
The benefits of focusing on engaging event features include:
Increased Participation and Interaction
An engaged attendee is more likely to participate in the conference and interact with other attendees, speakers, and sponsors. This leads to a more dynamic and lively event, which is a more valuable experience for everyone involved.
Better Learning and Retention
Engaged attendees are more likely to pay attention and retain information from the conference. By utilising the conference platform to create interactive sessions and activities, you can enhance the learning experience for attendees and ensure they retain the information presented.
Higher Return on Investment (ROI)
Engaged attendees are more likely to return for future events and recommend the conference to others. This leads to a higher ROI for the conference and can help attract more attendees in the future.
Top Tips for Engaging Attendees with your Conference Platform
Now that we understand the importance of attendee engagement, let’s discuss the top tips for making sure people connect and interact with your conference platform.
1. Utilise Interactive Features
One of the best ways to engage attendees with your conference platform is by utilising its interactive features. Most conference platforms offer features such as live polls, Q&A sessions, and virtual networking opportunities.
2. Gamify the Experience
Gamification is a popular trend in the virtual event space, and for a good reason. By incorporating game-like elements into your conference platform, you can make the experience more fun and interesting for attendees. This can include things like leaderboards, challenges, and rewards for participation.
3. Encourage Networking
Networking is a key aspect of any conference, and it can be challenging to replicate in a virtual setting. However, by utilising the conference platform’s networking features, you can create opportunities for attendees to connect with each other. This can include virtual breakout rooms, speed networking sessions, and virtual happy hours.
4. Provide On-Demand Content
One of the benefits of virtual conferences is the ability to provide on-demand content. By recording sessions and making them available on the conference platform, attendees can access the content at their convenience. This not only increases engagement during the conference but also provides value to attendees after the event.
5. Leverage Social Media
Before the event, create a hashtag for the conference and encourage attendees to use it when sharing their experience on social media. During the event, you can also use social media to share updates, engage with attendees, and promote interactive features on the conference platform.
6. Offer Incentives
Everyone loves a good incentive, and offering rewards for participation can be an effective way to inspire active participation . This can include things like gift cards, free access to future events, or exclusive content.
7. Provide Technical Support
Technical difficulties can be a major barrier to attendee engagement. To ensure a smooth experience, make sure to provide technical support. This can include a dedicated support team, FAQs, and tutorials on how to use the conference platform. Check with your platform provider to see what support they offer as part of their service delivery.
8. Incorporate Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsors are an essential part of any conference, and they can also help promote attendee interaction. By offering sponsorship opportunities on the platform, sponsors can showcase their products or services and connect with attendees. This can include sponsored sessions, virtual booths, and sponsored giveaways.
9. Gather Feedback
Gathering feedback from attendees is important for improving future events. Use the conference platform to gather feedback through surveys or polls. This not only shows attendees that their opinions are valued but also provides valuable insights for future events.
10. Continuously Improve
Finally, the key to ensuring attendee engagement with your conference platform is to continuously improve. Use the feedback gathered from attendees to make improvements and incorporate new features for future events. By continuously improving, you can create a better experience for attendees and ensure they make your next conference a must-attend event.
Case Study: Transform by isla
isla is a non-profit organization founded by event professionals and industry leaders focused on promoting sustainability within the events sector. Their core message of ‘collaboration over competition’ emphasises the need for organisations in the events industry to unite and rethink event design and delivery to incorporate sustainable practices.
They recently celebrated the launch of their first industry Temperature Check Report at Transform: The Community event, which brought together 200 attendees from both the TRACE and isla communities.
CrowdComms, the first event technology company to join isla as a member, provided the virtual platform for the event, allowing for secure, brandable, and interactive engagement. Attendees were able to download the Temperature Check Report, access member resources, and enjoy various content streams, including sustainability workshops.
CrowdComms offered live chat support and training, ensuring a seamless experience for the event organisers and participants alike.
By hosting the event virtually, isla was able to reach a wider audience and effectively communicate its sustainability message while providing limitless engagement possibilities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, attendee engagement is crucial for the success of any conference, and the conference platform plays a significant role in achieving this. By utilising interactive features, gamification, and networking opportunities, you can create an engaging and interactive experience for attendees.
It is also essential to continuously improve and gather feedback to ensure the success of future events. By following these top tips, you can make sure attendees engage with your conference platform and have a valuable experience at your virtual conference.
