HOW TO: KEEP YOUR AUDIENCE HOOKED AT YOUR NEXT EVENT.
The welcome coffees are flowing, the intro music’s playing, and your keynote speaker’s just taken the stage. Your conference is off to a strong start – but as the day goes on, energy can dip. Phones come out. Focus starts to drift.
It’s a challenge every organiser faces. Because no matter how well you’ve planned the agenda, even standout content can lose its spark without the right momentum behind it.
So how do you keep that buzz going? We teamed up with the team building experts at GOTO Events to explore smart, simple ways to re-energise your audience throughout the day.
Here are four ways to keep your audience hooked, inspire and fully present – right up until the last slide of the day:
HARNESSING GAMIFICATION.
If you’re looking for a proven way to keep your audience engaged, gamification is a great place to start. It’s the simple idea of adding game-like elements - like points, challenges, and friendly competition - to non-game settings. And at conferences, it works wonders. Gamification turns passive listeners into active participants, creating an atmosphere that’s energetic, interactive, and genuinely fun.
One fantastic example of this in action is Under Pressure. It’s a high-energy, fast-paced team building challenge that brings gamification to life in a super accessible way. Teams compete in a series of short, thrilling mini games that put their quick thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork to the test.
Can you swap the white and red balls between containers before time runs out? Can your team stay in sync to slide a ball along the course? After some practice, they step into the game show arena, where the pressure is on to rack up as many points as possible!
This activity can be slotted into your schedule as a stand-alone session, a mid-day energiser, or even a drop-in experience where people join when it suits them. It’s a great way to keep momentum going and give your audience a memorable break that recharges both their focus and their mood.
BOOST THE BUZZ WITH MOVEMENT.
Let’s be real - sitting still for hours on end is tough, no matter how great the content is. That’s why adding a movement-based activity to your conference can be a total game-changer. It may sound a little unconventional, but giving people a chance to move, stretch, or simply do something physical can instantly reset the room’s energy.
Think of it as an “event within the event”, a refreshing break that surprises your audience in the best way. Whether it’s something high-energy or more calming, movement helps people recharge, refocus, and stay engaged for what’s coming next.
For something bold and unforgettable, a Haka Workshop is a powerful choice. Led by performers of Māori descent, it unites attendees in an electrifying display of the Haka, where they’ll learn the iconic stomps, chants, and chest slaps - guaranteed to leave everyone fired up and fully engaged.
On the other hand, if your audience could use a moment of calm, a gentle Yoga Session can help restore focus and create a sense of grounding. This highly adaptable activity can be tailored to your space and crowd size, whether it’s a theatre-style seated yoga session for the whole group or a more intimate, drop-in class with yoga mats, all led by certified instructors.
TURN UP THE ENERGY!
Music isn’t just background noise - it’s one of the most powerful tools you can use to influence mood and boost engagement. Studies have shown that music can lift spirits, sharpen focus, and help people feel more connected. In other words, it sets the vibe - and at a conference, that’s exactly what you want.
By weaving music into your agenda, you can instantly shift the atmosphere, keep energy levels high, and create a sense of shared experience. And you don’t need a full-on concert to make it happen.
Try a musical energiser like Boomwhackers. These colourful, tube-shaped instruments are super simple to play - you just tap them together or on a surface to create sound.
When the whole group joins in, it turns into a fun, rhythmic performance that’s both playful and surprisingly powerful. Lead by an expert instructor, you’ll come together to play some recognisable tunes that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face!
FUEL THE VIBE WITH LAUGHTER.
Even the most serious stages in the world, start with a bit of humour. Why? Because laughter breaks tension, builds connection, and sets a positive tone. If it works there, imagine what it can do for your conference. Adding a fun, laughter-filled activity to your event can completely shift the mood. It lightens the atmosphere, brings people together, and creates moments your audience will remember (for all the right reasons).
One unique option is a Laughter Workshop. Guided by an experienced facilitator, this session combines laughter exercises with deep breathing for a playful, energising break that leaves people feeling recharged and connected.
For something even more interactive, try Master of the Tasks. Inspired by classic game show challenges, it gets attendees working in teams to complete quirky, creative tasks that are designed to spark laughter and quick thinking. It’s the kind of activity that creates instant camaraderie and turns strangers into teammates.
ALL IN ALL?
In the end, keeping your audience engaged isn’t just about filling time - it’s about creating an experience that sticks. By weaving in conference energisers and engaging team building activities, you can turn an ordinary conference into something people talk about long after the last slide.
When you prioritise connection, interaction, and a bit of fun, your event becomes more than just a series of sessions - it becomes a dynamic, memorable experience. And that’s what truly sets a great conference apart.
