In our increasingly virtual world, forming meaningful work connections can be a challenge. Employees are geographically dispersed, watercooler chats no longer exist and digital technology can be cumbersome. One way to ensure increased engagement and productivity among colleagues is by applying interactivity to gain audience interest and ensure messages stick. Interactivity is more than just the use of tools to wow or entertain, it is an active strategy to create moments and opportunities for audience engagement with speakers, peers, meeting organizers and the content. We’ve summarized a few simple steps to take your meeting to the next level through interactive practices.

Prime Your Audience

An important piece of any digital experience happens before the event itself. Before your audience even steps through the virtual door, you can begin to build interactivity. Preparing attendees by sharing information related to your meeting through meeting-specific websites or email communication can prepare them for discussions that may take place. Another tactic is through taking advantage of the invitation or registration process by allowing your audience to ask questions or share insights on their meeting objectives. Meeting hosts can use this information to influence meeting content and ensure relevant, timely material. Finally, quick activities to introduce key speakers, such as introductory videos or personalized invitations, can help engage the audience.

Leverage Virtual Technology Innovation

While Zoom and MS Teams are collaboration platforms suitable for day-to-day conversations, for larger, tentpole experiences, look to innovations in the virtual meeting space. 3D virtual environments, for example, are a great way to closely simulate a face-to-face event. They present an opportunity to incorporate multiple rooms for different engagement purposes; auditoriums for plenum sessions, breakout rooms from smaller, more intimate discussions, and even a lobby for casual banter. Leveraging digital technology also allows for users to access supplementary meeting materials on-demand.

Whether the technology is provided to the attendee or accessed through their own device, it is important to ensure that it complements and enhances the attendee experience rather than distracting from the program.

Scale Interactivity to Audience Size

There are many ways to integrate interactivity into large keynote sessions as well as smaller group settings. Simple ways can include using colour-coded cards or audience response systems to let attendees vote and see trends amongst their peers; polling tools for multiple choice or rating questions; and Q&A or panel periods where attendees can clarify or challenge concepts with the speakers. For smaller groups specifically, you can integrate interactive strategies that rely more on peer-to-peer discussion and use more complex or time-intensive activities or games. The key is to select interactive strategies that suit the size and needs of your audience and allow flexibility for gathering information as well as reinforcing messages within the time allotted.

At Colloqui, we ensure that interactivity becomes a fully integrated, logical extension of the attendee experience that reinforces key meeting objectives and encourages peer-to-peer interaction.