Event Gamification Ideas: Using Tech Activations to WOW Attendees

If you’ve been to a conference or summit recently, you’ve probably noticed a major shift in their organizational setup. In addition to offering standard must-haves like keynotes, workshops, and exhibitors, many events now include gamification and other tech activation elements.

This isn’t just because gamification is exciting and fun. (Although it definitely can add a memorable aspect to any event you plan or host.) It’s also because event gamification technology feels natural to people living in a highly digital world.

WHAT IS EVENT GAMIFICATION

Event gamification is the use of game-like elements, such as challenges, points, leaderboards, and rewards, within a live event to increase attendee engagement and participation. It encourages attendees to actively interact with content, exhibitors, and experiences rather than passively observe. Common components include tech-driven activations like digital scavenger hunts, augmented reality (AR) wayfinding, and real-time leaderboard displays, which help maintain engagement throughout the event.

Without a doubt, you’re designing one-of-a-kind events in a world where having a branded mobile event app and on-demand registration and badge printing have become table stakes. Interactive brand experiences are an opportunity for you to wow your audiences with tech-driven engagement, ensuring they feel welcome and thrilled to participate. 

And it starts with understanding the people you’re trying to attract and impress.

TECH NATIVE AUDIENCES EXPECT TECH-SAVVY EVENTS

Go to any event today, and you can’t help but notice that the audience is skewing younger. That’s because Gen Z and Millennials, both tech-native generational cohorts, are making up an increasing share of professionals.

This means they’re bringing a decidedly tech-focused mindset and comfort level to every event they attend. (Gen X and Boomers are comfortable with tech, too; they just didn’t grow up with it.) It also means you need to build an event that holds their attention from start to finish.

One of the truisms of living today is that people are inundated with distractions. Your job is to create an atmosphere filled with interesting chances for attendees to interact, learn, and generally engage. Otherwise, you risk losing them early to incoming texts, emails, and habitual scrolling through social media feeds.

Obviously, this means you need a compelling keynote speaker, a well-coordinated agenda flow, and refreshments that don’t disappoint. But you also need interactive event activations during the times you’re most likely to lose your attendees’ attention: the transitions.

KEEPING THE “IN-BETWEEN” TIMES ACTIVE, ALIVE AND ENJOYABLE

Whenever your attendees move between workshops, speakers, vendor halls, and other event hotspots, they’re in transition. At far too many events, those transitions are lackluster and feel disjointed from the rest of the event. Attendees are left to their own devices (literally), making them more likely to lose their connection to the event.

By offering event gamification options during those vital transitional moments, you can keep them concentrating on actively participating in your event. This ensures that they won’t be tempted for a minute to leave early, go back to their hotel rooms, or start ditching some of your workshops to work on their laptops in the lobby.

What are some interactive event activations to consider? Three of the top ones popping up at events nationwide and internationally include scavenger hunts, augmented reality (AR) wayfinding, and leaderboard displays.

Digital Scavenger Hunt for Events

A digital scavenger hunt contains the same basic elements of a traditional, non-digital scavenger hunt. Essentially, participants seek out or collect specific items to win prizes.

Scavenger hunts allow your event planning team to creatively engage your attendees and give them something to do while they transition during your event. For instance, you may create a digital scavenger hunt that “lives” on your mobile app. Attendees who are signed into the app can search for clues at your event to solve different riddles. Or, they could upload pictures to meet a particular challenge you issue.

From an entertainment perspective, a digital scavenger hunt can add a little fresh air to the experience. It’s enjoyable, low-stakes, and keeps everyone motivated to stay “in the game” thanks to friendly competition.

Augmented Reality (AR) Wayfinding

Another type of interactive event activation to discuss with your event technology partner is AR wayfinding. This technology overlays AR-generated images onto real images to guide attendees to specific locations.

For example, you could use AR wayfinding to guide attendees around an event exhibition floor space. Or, you could help them move from rooms, buildings, or other spaces to find exactly the right activation. AR wayfinding removes navigation questions and hassles from the equation, enabling smooth movement of the largest crowds.

Leaderboard Displays

If you’re going to hold any type of competition or challenge during your event, make sure everyone can see who’s winning by strategically setting up digital leaderboard displays.

These displays encourage people to keep participating because they offer real-time gratification for people at the top of the board. At the same time, they encourage others to get involved so they can see their names rise throughout the day.

As a side note, you could have multiple leaderboards depending on how you’re using them. Get imaginative and see where they make sense for your attendees and event expectations. Remember: When everyone’s keeping score publicly, the event takes on a much higher stakes feel (in a good way) for everyone who’s there.

THE ROLE OF INVISIBLE TECHNOLOGY TO POWER TECH-DRIVEN ATTENDEE ENGAGEMENT

A critical element in ensuring your gamification and tech activations, like AI-powered photo booths and touch-screen trivia walls, work is the “invisible” technology that runs in the background.

What’s “invisible” technology? It’s the tech that occurs during your event but isn’t obvious to your attendees. It’s a frictionless, always-on app. It’s constant connectivity. It’s zero glitches on the leaderboard. (Oh, and you don’t ever want your attendees to see it or think about it.)

The last thing you want is for your IT to falter at any point during your carefully arranged tech activations. That’s where having a reliable, reputable, and knowledgeable event technology solutions partner is essential. 

A dependable partner can ensure you have the IT infrastructure you need. Plus, having a solid IT backbone for your event makes it easier for you to use technology in other ways, such as capturing attendee data. (You can use the data right away to generate onsite reports and inform your strategies, too.)

Why take a chance that your tech-activated “wow” factor will devolve into a “whoops” factor because your IT can’t keep up? 

If you’re serious about closing transitional gaps and keeping your audience engaged throughout your event, contact SmartSource. Our team can share the many ways you can use digital technology for entertainment and engagement at your next event.