Learn how to plan and implement physical activity in your conference to boost the energy, mood, and focus of your attendees.

Incorporate movement and engagement in an ice breaker. For example, attendees play a bingo game where they must find people who fit certain categories and must sign off on the Bingo card. Example: find a person who’s visited all 7 continents. Attendees move around the room asking folks the question until they find one who has and gets their signature. The person continues until all squares are filled. This activity requires movement and engagement.

How can you engage conference attendees through physical activity?

Physical activity can boost the energy, mood, and focus of conference attendees, making them more engaged and receptive to your content. However, many conferences are still dominated by passive and sedentary formats, such as lectures, panels, and Q&A sessions. How can you break the monotony and get your audience moving and interacting? Here are some tips to help you plan and implement physical activity in your conference.

1 Choose the right venue

The first step to incorporating physical activity in your conference is to select a venue that supports your goals. Look for a space that has enough room for movement, natural light, and ventilation. Avoid venues that are too cramped, dark, or noisy, as they can hinder the effectiveness and enjoyment of physical activity. Also, consider the accessibility and safety of the venue for people with different abilities and needs.

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Adjoa Panyin Winful

Manager, Events and Member Advocacy at Interior Designers of Canada
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One way to incorporate physical activity is to make sure that the venue space requires walking between rooms to force participants to walk from space to space. Another way is to ensure that there are breaks between sessions and those breaks include some form of physical activity such as a yoga session. Another is choosing a venue with big grounds that will force participants to want to go outside during their breaks to take a walk. Or a venue where parking is further from the venue so attendees must walk a bit from the parking lot to the venue if you are in a city with efficient transit systems and driving is a bit cumbersome then encourage attendees to take public transit and have them walk to the venue.

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2 Incorporate physical breaks

One of the simplest ways to engage conference attendees through physical activity is to schedule regular breaks throughout the day. Breaks can help attendees refresh their minds, stretch their bodies, and network with others. You can encourage attendees to use the breaks for physical activity by providing some options, such as guided yoga, meditation, or dance sessions, outdoor walks, or games. You can also provide incentives, such as prizes, badges, or points, for those who participate in the physical breaks.

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3 Use interactive formats

Another way to engage conference attendees through physical activity is to use interactive formats that require them to move and collaborate. For example, you can use workshops, hackathons, or simulations that involve hands-on learning, problem-solving, or creativity. You can also use gamification, such as quizzes, polls, or challenges, that prompt attendees to use their phones, tablets, or laptops to interact with the content and each other. You can also use physical props, such as cards, stickers, or balls, to facilitate discussion and feedback.

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Erica Dennings

Attorney/Mediator/DEI Champion
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Incorporate movement and engagement in an ice breaker. For example, attendees play a bingo game where they must find people who fit certain categories and must sign off on the Bingo card. Example: find a person who’s visited all 7 continents. Attendees move around the room asking folks the question until they find one who has and gets their signature. The person continues until all squares are filled. This activity requires movement and engagement.

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4 Adjust the pace and intensity

When planning and implementing physical activity in your conference, you need to adjust the pace and intensity according to your audience and objectives. You don't want to overwhelm or exhaust your attendees with too much or too hard physical activity, as that can have the opposite effect of engagement. You also don't want to bore or frustrate them with too little or too easy physical activity, as that can make them lose interest. You need to find the right balance between challenge and fun, and vary the type and duration of physical activity throughout the day.

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5 Get feedback and improve

Finally, you need to get feedback and improve your physical activity strategy for your conference. You can use surveys, polls, or interviews to ask your attendees about their experience, preferences, and suggestions regarding physical activity. You can also use analytics, such as attendance, engagement, or satisfaction metrics, to measure the impact of physical activity on your conference outcomes. You can use the feedback and data to identify what worked and what didn't, and make adjustments for your next conference.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Erica Dennings

Attorney/Mediator/DEI Champion
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Plan a physical activity session, i.e. a morning workout session. It provides a dedicated time for physical activity and another opportunity for conference attendees to connect.

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How can you engage conference attendees through physical activity?

1

2

3

4

5

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1 Choose the right venue

2 Incorporate physical breaks

3 Use interactive formats

4 Adjust the pace and intensity

5 Get feedback and improve

6 Here’s what else to consider

Conferences

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How can you engage conference attendees through physical activity?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Choose the right venue

2 Incorporate physical breaks

3 Use interactive formats

4 Adjust the pace and intensity

5 Get feedback and improve

6 Here’s what else to consider

Conferences

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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