Content Last Updated on September 10, 2018

Live events are becoming increasingly interactive. Gone are the days of simply pitching up a stall and handing out flyers or branded products to passerbys. Instead, event organisers are looking for new and unique ways for brands to engage with attendees. Guests are more likely to remember your brand when you offer them an experience or something that adds value to their time. So here are a few creative ways to engage attendees at your next event.

Provide a phone charging station

No one wants their phone to run out of battery while out and about. You can help attendees out by proving a charging station at your booth. A charging station will not only save attendees from having to run out to buy a charger or frantically search for the nearest socket, but it will also increase foot traffic to your booth and guests will stay longer at your station. You can also choose a customisable kiosk charging station to showcase your company branding with logos, hashtags, QR codes or wrap around displays if you’d like.

Sponsor the event goodie bags

Attendees receive loads of freebies at live events, from gadgets to free food, drinks, stationery, marketing materials and more. You can give attendees somewhere to stash all their free swag by sponsoring the goodie bags for the event. Choosing an eco-friendly material for your swag bags like organic cotton or sustainable paper bags is also a great way to align your brand with a socially responsible cause.

Create a games area 

Deep down, we’re all big kids at heart. Everyone loves to get stuck into a good game, so why not provide attendees a space to release their inner child and unwind by creating a play zone. There are tons of great igame ideas to get attendees in the spirit, from giant ball pits to giant Jenga, bottle ring tosses, tug of war and much more. Customise these with your company branding and attendees will remember you as the brand that bought fun and laughter to the event

Create a QR Code scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt is the perfect way to introduce a fun element into an event while offering attendees a chance to learn more about your brand. For instance, you could get attendees to find answers to specific questions related to your company by scanning QR Codes around the venue that offer clues. The person with the most questions answered correctly could then head back to your booth for a special prize.

Show off your services

Does your company offer beauty treatments? Perhaps you offer craft workshops, mindfulness sessions, or photo printing? Whatever your service is, you can show it off to attendees by inviting them to experience what you offer at the event. Your brand will have a greater lasting impact on attendees if they leave the event with a special service that you offered to to them — whether it’s a free haircut, a newly fixed phone screen or henna tattoo —  the list goes on. You might even make a new customer.

Power the event with WiFi

Oh, WiFi. Life is almost unimaginable without it now. As so many of our modern gadgets (and modern live events) depend on it now, providing good quality WiFi for a live event is invaluable. You’ll essentially be powering the very life of en event, allowing attendees and brands alike to share photos, videos, websites, links and other important pieces of information that keeps a live event running. When users connect to your sponsored WiFi, you can use this as an opportunity to promote your brand with a splash page or an invitation for guests to follow you on social media.

Host a craft area

Leave your attendees with a long lasting reminder of what you do by giving them something to create and take home with them. Attendees are more likely to give you a shout out on social media if they can decorate or create something that will be a talking point among their friends. For instance, if your company sells makeup or perfume, you could invite attendees to create their own customisable makeup palette or fragrance. A great way to boost social media engagement is to encourage attendees to create visually stunning images with what they’ve made and share it while tagging you in. You can offer a special prize to the best photo to really get your attendees involved.

Sponsor a live stream

Of course, not everyone will be able to join the event. You can do them a big favour by providing a live streaming (or live tweeting) service to keep those in the loop who couldn’t make it. You’ll be popular among those who were experiencing FOMO and they definitely appreciate you thinking of them. Do make sure beforehand to make sure that your live streaming service is running smoothly, as you want to leave the best possible impression for those watching.

Give back

If your company supports a charity or good cause, then a live event is the perfect opportunity to connect with attendees over something positive. You can encourage attendees to get involved in a hassle free way by having a drop off centre at your stall where they can donate gifts like books, clothes, toys, toiletries, dry or canned goods or a monetary donation. Add a fun element too by hosting a raffle and donating the proceeds to your chosen charity. Your attendees will feel good about helping a good cause, and it will also boost your charitable status.

Connect everyone with an events app

Attendee engagement is a key goal for any event planner, hence the rising popularity of event apps in recent years. According to a study by Guidebook, 88% of event professionals found event apps to have a positive impact on attendee satisfaction. 86% of attendees also rated an event app among the top 3 enjoyable aspects of an event they attended.

When done right, event apps can be a great addition to any live event. They can provide a main source for interaction and a shared experience among guests. Event apps like YADA that offer a social element for guests to communicate, network and integrate with their social media accounts are great for creating a buzz at any event.