Summer Events
Talking
point
Jodie Guilford, business development & marketing manager at the Science Museum,
on how to encourage guest interaction at summer events
n the age of social
media the world is
ever-increasingly
focused on shared
experiences; we ‘like’
relatable posts, ‘follow’
the same influencers and
love a ‘trending’ hashtag
to feel part of something
bigger.
Yet, how does this
translate to real life? It’s
common at events to find
attendees sticking with
their own group for
comfort, moving along the
event journey together
with little or no interaction
outside of with those they
know.
However, as an event
organiser looking to
capitalise from a shared
experience, this can be
problematic as the
overarching goal of a
memorable event relies
on attendees’
conversation post-event.
How, then, can planners
ensure guest interaction
at an event and broaden
the impact of an event
long after it’s taken place?
Break the ice
Incorporating areas with
activities, games and
challenges into an event is
the ultimate ice-breaker
– striking the balance
between organic and
forced fun of course! Once
people see others getting
stuck into a challenge
they’ll be curious to try
their hand too, forming
groups of onlookers and
creating a bond between
guests as they encourage
each other.
Talking points
The journey that guests
“COMPETITION
BETWEEN TABLES
IS A GREAT
WAY TO INSTANTLY
BOND PEOPLE.”
take through an event
can be key to the levels of
interaction; gathering
guests to stand
stationary in one space
can make it harder to
mingle, for example. If
attendees can wander
along a clear route dotted
with points of interest,
artefacts and exhibits,
then these become
talking points and it can
be easier to strike up a
conversation with fellow
attendees. The Lockheed
Electra plane overhead in
the Science Museum’s
Making the Modern World
gallery certainly stands
out as the obvious
choice!
www.conference-news.co.uk
Friendly competition
Competition between
tables is a great way to
instantly bond people as
they’re sat together at a
dinner function, or even
incorporating interactive
table-scapes that
encourage teamwork.
Activities such as a table
quiz on the venue itself
can work well as a way to
further immerse teams
into the experience.
Dinner conversation
Taking time and care over
table plans for sit-down
dinners means you can
encourage people out of
their comfort zone while
ensuring conversation can
be sparked between
like-minded guests, plus
they will have common
ground in the shared
event experience. A more
informal dessert concept
such as a dessert table
can help put guests at
ease if they know they are
free to mingle after their
meal, and can give a
further opportunity for
interaction. Choosing a
venue with plenty of
striking décor will also be
a guaranteed
conversation starter, such
as the sweeping
installations of
Mathematics: The Winton
Gallery by world-renowned
Zaha Hadid Architects!