Event engagement refers to the amount of attendee participation and attentiveness during an event. This includes everything from audience involvement during presentations to networking opportunities and interactive meet-ups that keep people focused and involved throughout the event.
As an event organizer, you should utilize successful event engagement strategies to convert attendees from passive spectators into active participants who are invested in what’s happening. Engaged attendees will contribute more meaningfully to activities, which creates a richer experience and stronger relationships between participants, organizers, and stakeholders.
The secret to achieving this high level of engagement is understanding that your event engagement strategies should have enough variety in timing and content to encourage all different types of event engagement. For example, a social media campaign before your event will result in different types of engagement than creating an alumni group chat after the event.
Now that you know what event engagement is and how to choose strategies to increase event engagement, let’s explore strategies to create meaningful attendee engagement at every stage of your event lifecycle.
Pre-Event Engagement Strategies
Pre-event hype creates anticipation through strategic teasers, exclusive early-bird offers, and compelling sneak peeks of your event’s highlights. During this phase, you aim to create FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), which incentivizes potential attendees to buy tickets.
1. Gamify the Event
Attendee’s view of event leaderboard while using Whova’s gamification features.
Even before the event starts, interactive elements promote active participation rather than passive observation. Digital scavenger hunts encourage networking with fellow event attendees, while trivia challenges test industry knowledge in engaging ways. (Don’t forget to track engagement through real-time analytics to identify which activities resonate most with your audience.). Remember to keep the gamification ongoing during the event to keep the high participation.
2. Use Social Media Campaigns
An attendee interacting with a post from Whova’s integrated social media campaigns.
Social platforms build awareness, drive registrations, and spark early community connections around your event. With each share, your reach expands naturally beyond your core audience.
Some ideas to incorporate into your campaign strategy:
- Use dedicated event hashtags: Unique, memorable event hashtags make it easy to track engagement across social media platforms and create excitement online.
- Share behind-the-scenes content: Give exclusive peeks at event planning to build anticipation and connection.
- Launch contests and giveaways: Spark excitement with interactive challenges that reward participation.
- Partner with industry leaders: Expand your event’s reach by collaborating with industry voices and influencers who resonate with your audience.
3. Create Tailored Pre-Event Content
Offer valuable resources before your event begins. Include a question form on registration pages to gauge areas of high interest, or create a survey attendees can fill out before the event. Provide practical resources that can be used immediately in order to continue the event anticipation.
For example, a first-time attendee might be confused or lack comprehensive event information. By creating a pre-event survey exclusive to first time attendees, figure out areas that new attendees are interested in where they need more information.
These strategies help further justify an attendee’s investment and ensure they arrive prepared to maximize their experience. Your pre-event content sets the stage for meaningful participation and demonstrates the tangible value of attendance.
4. Engaging Registration Forms
Whova’s customizable registration pages.
Turn registration into the first exciting touchpoint of your event with engaging event registration forms that gather valuable attendee insights. Ask about their challenges, goals, and desired outcomes to shape your program around their needs.
When attendees see their input directly influencing the agenda and activities, they become invested stakeholders who arrive ready to engage and connect. You can also up the ante through interactive event ideas like competitions that culminate at the event.
5. Send Compelling Pre-Event Announcements
Don’t just send ‘save the date’ messages—build excitement with strategic content releases that highlight your event’s unique value. Highlight innovative session formats, exclusive networking opportunities, and groundbreaking industry demonstrations.
Create a compelling narrative through each announcement, layering new benefits and unexpected elements that position your event as a must-attend experience. Your communications should reveal exciting details gradually to build anticipation.
6. Set up Engaging Discussion Groups
Turn strangers into collaborators by connecting attendees through LinkedIn groups, event apps, or community platforms before your event. Early networking breaks the ice and kick-starts relationship building.
We recommend launching topic-specific channels aligned with event tracks, where similarly interested peers can exchange insights. When participants finally meet in person, they’ll already have established connections and conversations to build upon.
Engagement Ideas During the Event
Once your event is live, focus on building the existing momentum. Capture real-time moments, encourage attendees to share on social media, and create memorable experiences.
7. Live Polls and Interactive Q&A
An attendee’s mobile and web app view during a Whova poll.
Wondering how to engage an audience in presentations? Use polls! They capture real-time reactions, test knowledge retention, and gather valuable feedback that shapes your event as it unfolds.
Meanwhile, digital and in-person Q&A sessions make discussions relevant and energized. Use live polling software platforms like Mentimeter and Slido to weave these engaging elements seamlessly into your event, creating moments of genuine connection and insight.
8. Networking Breakout Rooms
Attendees interacting in-person and virtually during Whova’s networking sessions.
In virtual environments, small breakout rooms create a more personal atmosphere where attendees can have direct, honest discussions. These smaller groups make it easier for participants to connect and share ideas openly.
For in-person events, Whova’s one-on-one meeting scheduler helps professionals arrange private conversations with other attendees, making large events feel more approachable and conducive to building new connections.
9. Host a Social Media Wall
Display attendee posts, photos, and comments on digital screens across your venue, letting guests see live updates and reactions as the day unfolds. The shared display adds energy to the space and keeps everyone connected to what’s happening in different areas.
Candid moments and conversations make compelling promotional content, giving future guests an inside look at your event. Plus, the archived social feed creates a rich record for attendees to look back on and be convinced to register for your next upcoming event.
10. Share Event Photos
Create an online gallery where attendees, speakers, and exhibitors can easily access and download professional event photos. Organizers can tap into these images for upcoming promotions, while speakers and performers can add them to their portfolios.
Platforms like Whova, DropEvent, Eventer, and Rompolo simplify distributing photos to everyone involved, eliminating the need to field individual requests or send large email attachments.
Post-Event Engagement Strategies
These post-event engagement ideas keep the momentum alive. By sharing success stories, experiences, and event highlights, you’ll inspire conversations that strengthen your community and generate buzz for future events.
11. Send Personalized Follow-Up Messages
Send initial follow-ups within 24-48 hours after the event. This capitalizes on attendees’ fresh memories and enthusiasm.
Here’s a strategic follow-up email drip campaign you can implement:
- Day 1: Send personalized thank-you emails.
- Day 3-5: Distribute feedback surveys.
- Week 1-2: Share valuable, event-related content.
- Week 4+: Extend promotional offers or future event invitations.
This structured approach maintains the connection with attendees, gathers crucial feedback, provides ongoing value, and nurtures long-term audience engagement.
12. Share Event Highlights and Recordings
Attendees sharing event highlights on the Whova event app during a photo contest.
Consider sending attendees a curated content package in the weeks following your event. This might include keynote highlights, popular sessions from their track, or a short video capturing networking moments.
You could add extra content like speaker interviews or downloadable resources with slides and materials. Customize the timing and content mix based on what will resonate most with your specific audience.
13. Offer Incentives for Future Events
Provide early registrants and active participants at your current event with exclusive discount codes for upcoming conferences or workshops. Potential attendees are more likely to register when they see that early-bird tickets are limited.
This strategy rewards their involvement and helps them plan and budget. Consider offering tiered incentives, such as deeper discounts for those who attend multiple sessions or contribute significantly to discussions.
14. Give Out Professionally Designed Certificates
Whova generated attendee certificates.
For certification programs, industry conferences, and professional development events, offer well-designed certificates that validate participation. These certificates offer tangible recognition that attendees can leverage.
Match the certificate design to your event’s branding—from elegantly embossed awards for leadership summits to creatively branded certificates for innovation workshops. Consider adding digital versions that participants can share on LinkedIn and other platforms.
15. Launch an Alumni Network
After your event wraps, extend its value with an alumni network. This works especially well for research-focused gatherings like academic seminars and conferences. Create a digital space with expert sessions and shared resources.
This sustains participant engagement long after the program ends. Plus, it becomes a marketing channel for your next event. LinkedIn and Facebook are good options to build these networks.
Tools and Technology to Boost Engagement
Today’s event technology allows attendees to participate and engage fully, whether attending in person or virtually. Let’s discuss the tools and integrations that make this possible.
16. Leverage Live Streaming Tools
A session being live streamed on the Whova web and mobile event app.
Live streaming platforms like Zoom Webinar, StreamYard, and Whova help you connect with up to 50% more attendees than traditional in-person events. Keep your expanded audience actively involved through real-time polls, live Q&As, and chat features.
Advanced production features such as virtual backgrounds and custom overlays maintain professional quality. At the same time, multi-streaming to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook helps you build an engaged community across multiple platforms.
17. Integrate Social Media Platforms
Each social platform offers unique ways to boost your event’s visibility and engagement. LinkedIn connects you with professional audiences, Instagram showcases your event’s visual elements, and X drives real-time conversations.
With 60% of virtual event planners securing tickets through social media—and LinkedIn leading the way for 79% of event marketers—a strong social strategy is crucial. Build social media engagement with ads and daily stories marketing your event.
Event Engagement Strategies for Hybrid and Virtual Events
Digital gatherings create intimate spaces for collaboration between attendees who are located all over the world. Here’s some hybrid and virtual event engagement ideas:
18. Create Virtual and In-Person Meet-Ups for Networking
Attendees interacting virtually before a Whova new hire meet-up.
Make online and in-person networking feel natural by designing intuitive spaces. Include a welcoming location where attendees can mingle freely, small breakout rooms for 3-4 person discussions, and private spaces for one-on-one meetings.
Make sure an attendee can engage with the meet-up regardless of if they are attending the event virtually or in person. Choose platforms (like Whova) that offer reliable video quality, easy navigation, and built-in scheduling tools to help attendees connect effortlessly.
19. Interactive Giveaways
Keep virtual events exciting with live digital contests and instant-win opportunities throughout your program. Spark engagement through real-time prize wheels, digital scratch cards, and interactive trivia challenges that reveal winners on the spot.
Offer bonus entries to reward active participation, then heighten excitement with live-streamed prize announcements. Send rewards instantly—whether e-gift cards or exclusive content access—letting winners celebrate their success immediately.
How to Measure Event Engagement Success
You can see how well your event engagement strategies perform by tracking metrics that reveal how attendees actually participate. Understanding these patterns helps you create better events.
20. Track Participation Rates
An event organizer’s view of attendance and social media analytics from Whova.
These are some of the most important metrics you should measure to determine participation success:
- Poll Response Rate: The percentage of your total audience participating in live polls; the higher the response rate, the more engaged they are.
- Q&A Activity Metrics: Track the total number of questions submitted and the questions-per-attendee ratio to gauge session interest.
- Session Completion Rate: The percentage of attendees who stay until the end of each session. A high completion rate suggests compelling content and effective presentation.
- Live Chat Engagement: The volume and frequency of chat messages throughout the session, aiming for consistent activity rather than spikes at the beginning or end.
- Interaction Distribution: How evenly participation is spread across different segments of your audience to ensure broad engagement rather than domination by a few active participants.
21. Use Event Apps for Data Collection
Whova’s event management system showing event engagement analytics.
Event apps collect detailed attendee data through built-in analytics features. Platforms like Whova track participation metrics, demographics, and attendee preferences through visual graphs and downloadable reports.
Over and above just gathering data, specialized apps turn complex metrics into clear, visual insights. You’ll see exactly which sessions sparked the most engagement and which fell flat – all in real time.
This instant feedback loop allows you to increase event engagement and improve your next attendee engagement strategy. And, when sponsors and stakeholders want ROI proof, you’ll have solid numbers to back up your success.
Key Takeaway of a Successful Event Engagement Strategy
Event engagement strategies succeed when every touchpoint serves a purpose – from pre-event social campaigns that spark FOMO to live polls that capture real-time insights to post-event communities that keep conversations flowing.
Track your metrics obsessively: aim for high poll participation and session completion rates and consistent chat activity rather than sporadic spikes. Test different approaches, and watch your attendance numbers grow.
Remember, comprehensive event management platforms like Whova can make all the difference, offering built-in tools for everything from gamification and networking to real-time analytics and post-event surveying.
