Getting attendees through the door is just the beginning—keeping them engaged is the real challenge. The best events captivate attendees with creative activations that encourage participation, foster connections, and generate buzz long after the event ends. Without interactive and immersive experiences, even the best-planned events can fall flat. The right event activations turn passive attendees into active participants, driving excitement, social sharing, and deeper brand connections. These five event activations will elevate your events and increase attendee engagement.
1. Social Media Challenges
Encouraging event attendees to use social media can help promote your event organically. They create a real-life sense of FOMO (fear of missing out) for those who did not attend. This excitement generates interest and fuels engagement for those in attendance. As attendees get positive responses and engagement on social media, they are encouraged to post and share more. As the event planner, you can engage with attendees on social media by sharing user-generated content at the event in real time. Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok are good platforms for sharing pictures and videos. Display these posts on a large digital screen or by projection. For professional events, Twitter and LinkedIn are good platforms for sourcing text-based content.
2. Exclusive VIP Experiences
People love to feel special. Creating exclusive experiences at your event allows attendees to create a unique experience. You can charge a premium for these event activations, increasing revenue for the event. Having multiple ticket package tiers broadens the potential target market for attendees. VIP experiences can be customized to the event. Attendees who purchase the VIP experiences will be more engaged in the event because they invested more. Offering a variety of VIP experiences to add on to the standard event ticket lets attendees personalize their event experience, making it more memorable. Experiences can include special access, personalized services, or exclusive content.
3. Immersive Augmented Reality Experiences
Use augmented reality (AR) technology to create an immersive experience for your event attendees. There is no greater engagement than becoming completely immersed in the event to the point of forgetting about the outside world. Augmented reality (AR) can do that. Attendees will slip on a pair of goggles and engage with the event activation. By captivating their attention, you leave a lasting impression and convey branding messages more effectively.
4. Pop Up Market
Welcome bags or event favors tend to get piled on a table that people grab and go. This is a perfect opportunity to do something different than the standard and make it a memorable experience for attendees. Create a curated pop-up market that attendees walk through. They become engaged in the interactive element of the shopping experience. Attendee enjoyment increases as they choose items for a personalized welcome gift or event favor. People will spend more time engaging with the event as they “shop” with other attendees. This unique experience will also have them talking long after the event, as it isn’t a common event activation.
5. Behind the Scenes Experiences
Give event attendees an exclusive experience by letting them see behind the scenes. This is a perfect event activation for a corporate or brand event. Attendees could experience how a new product is taken from idea to reality. It could be a behind-the-scenes (BTS) experience of a brand's service performance. By seeing the BTS of the company’s operations, trust is built through transparency. The increased engagement turns attendees into brand advocates, helping to generate greater event ROI.
Get Inspired for Event Activations at The Event Planner Expo
Adding event activations turns a run-of-the-mill event into a thrilling, more memorable one. Incorporating interactive and immersive elements ensures you fully engage attendees. You can boost brand recognition and increase revenue. Whether through social media challenges, exclusive VIP perks, or augmented reality experiences, the right activations will leave a lasting impression. At The Event Planner Expo, exhibitors have the perfect platform to showcase these engagement strategies, making valuable connections with event professionals. Become an exhibitor today and showcase your expertise!
