In today’s world of events and conferences, delegates expect more than just sessions and coffee breaks.
They want experiences and gamification is one of the best ways to deliver them. Done right, gamification turns passive participants into active, energised communities.
Here are seven smart ideas to inject fun, connection and memorable engagement into your next event.
Scavenger hunts with a twist
Create a digital or physical scavenger hunt that nudges delegates to explore your venue, visit exhibitor booths, or connect with fellow attendees.
Incorporate trivia questions or photo challenges tied to event themes. Add a live leaderboard to spark friendly competition and don’t forget to offer enticing prizes for top finishers.
Badge collection challenges
Design collectible digital badges for specific actions: attending sessions, asking questions, networking, or engaging on the event app. Display participants’ badge collections publicly to encourage healthy rivalry.
People love a sense of achievement and digital badges make it visible.
Live polls and quiz battle
Sprinkle live polls or quiz rounds throughout your sessions to keep audiences tuned in.
Go beyond simple questions: try team-based quiz battles where tables or virtual groups compete for points. This can dramatically boost attentiveness and inject a dose of adrenaline into presentations.
Interactive storytelling
Turn your conference narrative into a game where delegates’ choices affect the storyline. Whether via your event app or live sessions, give attendees the power to vote on outcomes, unlock clues, or “solve” a collective mission. It’s an unforgettable way to keep delegates emotionally invested.
Networking bingo
Networking can feel intimidating but not when it’s a game.
Give delegates bingo cards with tasks like “find someone from a different country” or “meet someone in a similar industry.”
Hand out small prizes for completed rows or full cards add motivation – it will make everyone feel less awkward about networking as everyone is working towards a goal.
Social media contests
Encourage delegates to share photos, insights, or creative takes on the event across social media channels.
Award prizes for the best posts, the funniest captions, or the most likes. Not only does this boost engagement, it amplifies your event’s reach to a wider audience.
Wellness challenges
Offer points or badges for steps walked, mindfulness sessions attended, or healthy meal choices. Showcase progress on a leaderboard and reward top participants. It’s a fun way to prioritize physical and mental health during busy events.
Gamification doesn’t have to be flashy or expensive. Even simple games can deliver huge engagement payoffs.
The key? Keep it relevant to your audience, easy to participate in, and most importantly fun.
It’ll boost your delegates mood and make your event ten times more memorable.