Creative and Unique Ways to Build Community at a Corporate Event

Short for time? Scroll to the bottom to discover the key takeaways. 

Fostering a sense of community among attendees is essential for success in the Event industry. Cultivating meaningful connections between guests provides benefits that extend far beyond the corporate event day itself, both for your attendees and for your event brand.

No matter the scale, format or purpose of the event, there are numerous ways to build a sense of community and facilitate connection. In this article, we share creative and unique ways to build community at a corporate event in the MICE industry, along with the key benefits that come with doing so.

The Benefits of Building Community at Corporate Events

There are numerous short and long-term benefits associated with fostering a sense of community during corporate events. Here are some of the most significant that you could benefit from.

Attendee Satisfaction

Many guests attend MICE events as the sole representatives of their companies, often arriving alone. While there will undoubtedly be insightful talks and workshops throughout the day, their overall experience can be significantly enhanced by having the opportunity to connect with fellow participants.

Building a sense of community at an event creates a welcoming environment that encourages guests to interact with each other on a personal level. By nurturing closer relationships among participants, you can make their overall day more memorable and rewarding, boosting overall satisfaction levels. 

Moreover, facilitating this positive experience can lead to favourable word-of-mouth promotion, enhancing brand image and awareness within the industry. 

Increased Attendance at Future Corporate Events

Enhancing guests’ enjoyment by helping them forge meaningful connections with others in the sector increases the likelihood of them attending future events. This is particularly relevant in the current era of remote working. 

Almost half (44%) of the working population work from home at least part of the time, according to a recent survey by ONS. Further research shows that fully remote employees have 33% fewer friends at work. 

This means that when you host in-person corporate events that bring those in the sector face to face, you have an opportunity to provide attendees with a sense of community and camaraderie that many of them no longer experience in their day-to-day work environments.

Guests who establish meaningful bonds during these events are often more inclined to come to future gatherings in order to reconnect with each other, which can ultimately contribute to higher attendance numbers at subsequent events.

Contribution and Collaboration

When attendees feel connected and at ease with one another, their overall confidence at the event increases. Consequently, the likelihood of them actively contributing to broader discussions and participating in interactive talks increases.

This increased participation, in turn, enhances the effectiveness of these sessions by incorporating diverse perspectives, leading to a richer exchange of ideas.

Networking

Cultivating a sense of community among event guests significantly increases the probability of meaningful networking. When attendees feel comfortable with each other, they are likely to be more open to sharing personal experiences and perspectives. 

Firstly, this will result in more insightful and enriching conversations between guests which can contribute substantially to attendee satisfaction, as participants gain valuable insights not only from the formal talks and workshops during the event but also from informal talks from others within the industry.

Moreover, these open and honest conversations often lead to the establishment of stronger professional relationships that endure beyond the day. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of attendees returning to future events with the intention of reconnecting with those they have bonded with.

7 Creative and Unique Ways to Build Community at an Event

There are lots of fun and creative ways you can build community at MICE events. We explore some of the different approaches below.

1. Ice Breakers

Using icebreakers is an excellent way to start an event or initiate collaborative discussions within it. These activities help attendees get to know each other on a personal level, before diving into professional discussions. 

By immediately breaking this barrier right at the beginning, guests will feel at ease with each other right from the start. These activities don't require much time and can be seamlessly integrated at the beginning of a session.

Introductions and A Fun Fact

For a straightforward approach, consider having guests introduce themselves with their names, the company they represent, and a fun fact about them. This is especially effective when dividing attendees into smaller groups.

Smaller groups increase the likelihood of everyone having a chance to speak and be heard. 

Creating an immediate sense of comfort among participants fosters a more interactive, relaxed, and engaging environment conducive to collaboration.

Event Innovation or Success Share

Another impactful method for building community is to encourage attendees to share a brief story about their most successful event or innovative approach. This not only serves as an effective introduction for participants but also prompts them to reflect on accomplishments they take pride in.

By reminding them of their talents and successes, you can instantly boost their confidence and comfort at the event. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of them feeling calm and assured enough to actively participate in discussions, collaborations, and networking opportunities throughout the event.

Two Truths and a Lie - MICE Edition

In this MICE industry-tailored icebreaker, participants share two true statements and one false statement about their experiences in events. As each person reveals their statements, the group guesses which one is false, sparking engaging discussions and fostering connections. 

This interactive game not only breaks the ice but also creates a sense of camaraderie amongst those in attendance, contributing to the creation of a strong community atmosphere.

2. Themed Networking Zones

Themed networking zones are dedicated spaces directly tied to specific facets of the MICE industry, fostering discussions, interactive activities, and educational sessions related to those areas. By incorporating these zones at the event, you instantly guide individuals within the sector to spaces where they can connect with like-minded peers and engage in informed conversations.

Themed networking zones also provide platforms for professionals to actively branch out and learn about other areas within the industry. This, in turn, promotes cross-departmental bonding and a sense of community through shared interests.

3. Mindfulness and Support Spaces

Events, often bustling and loud, can pose challenges to the mental well-being of attendees, especially those with anxiety or those who are neurodivergent. To foster a supportive environment, consider having mindfulness and support spaces.

These designated areas, designed with low lighting or calming activities, serve as retreats for guests who may feel overstimulated or anxious. Additionally, assigning someone to address issues or accommodate access needs related to mental health can also ensure a more inclusive experience.

The presence of these spaces not only provides immediate relief but also signifies a commitment to the well-being of attendees. This fosters a sense of community, making guests feel supported and comfortable throughout the event.

4. Collaborative Workshops

Collaborative workshops offer an effective way to foster a sense of community at a corporate event. By actively involving attendees in shared learning experiences, these sessions encourage participants to engage, share insights, and collectively address industry challenges and experiences.

In the process, these workshops bring guests together to work towards a shared sense of purpose or goal, fostering a collaborative spirit and a sense of community. Additionally, collaborative workshops serve as networking opportunities.

Through facilitated communication, networking naturally unfolds. Attendees relate tasks to personal experiences, insights, and perspectives, causing other members of their team to connect with them beyond formal introductions. 

This interaction provides participants with the chance to establish meaningful relationships with fellow guests, an opportunity often missed in less interactive settings such as talks or presentations.

5. Casual Spaces

In addition to structured activities, incorporating casual spaces within the event venue is a subtle yet effective way to foster community. These relaxed areas provide attendees with a place to unwind, engage in informal conversations and build connections in a more laid-back setting.

It can be beneficial to arrange these casual spaces in a way that creates an inviting atmosphere. For example, consider having relaxed seating arrangements in place, cosy corners and refreshment stations where guests can chill out and engage in impromptu conversations. 

This relaxed environment of casual spaces facilitates organic networking, allowing attendees to share experiences, insights, and industry perspectives in a more informal setting. This can result in a sense of camaraderie amongst guests that extends beyond scheduled sessions, promoting spontaneous interactions and a sense of togetherness.

6. Unique Quick-Fire Networking Cards

Provide attendees with specially designed quick-fire networking cards as they enter the event. These cards can have prompts like "Share your favourite industry moment" or "Offer a quick tip for event success."

These cards can immediately offer a talking point when people arrive. Then once they are inside, attendees may feel more at ease approaching others for conversation, as they already have a specific topic to discuss.

This approach allows them to bypass traditional introductions and dive straight into engaging focused conversations. This not only encourages interaction amongst guests in the first place but also ensures that the ensuing conversations are more enriching and memorable.

In doing so, they can be a highly effective way of building community. As an additional benefit, the novelty of quick-fire networking cards means they can serve as unique and quirky keepsakes for attendees after the event.

7. Add a Networking Session to the Schedule

Allocating a block of time during the event exclusively for attendees to connect, exchange ideas, and establish new relationships can be a straightforward yet powerful way to encourage community building.

This intentional networking session provides a structured opportunity for participants to interact without the constraints of formal presentations or workshops. By carving out time for attendees to do so, you convey the significance of community and create an environment where guests feel encouraged to connect and collaborate. 

Summary

Establishing a sense of community at a corporate event can highly impact its level of success. In the short term, it enhances networking opportunities, word-of-mouth advertising and overall guest enjoyment. In the long term, it can strengthen brand support, increase brand awareness, and boost future attendance numbers.

There are many strategies that you can implement to promote a sense of community at an event. These range from networking zones and mindfulness spaces to ice-breakers and collaborative workshops. Such initiatives not only forge immediate connections but also contribute to a lasting community atmosphere that extends beyond the event itself.

Key takeaways

• Fostering community ensures higher attendee satisfaction and encourages repeat attendance.
• Creative activities such as icebreakers and collaborative workshops build connections and promote engagement.
• Providing mindfulness spaces and casual zones ensures everyone feels supported and valued.
• Networking cards and themed zones enhance interaction and create meaningful conversations. 
   

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