What do you do if your conference attendees are not engaged?

At my company, SFG Productions, we prioritize immersive technologies. This is all about offering novel ways to engage and captivate audiences, ensuring they are not just passive observers but active participants in a shared adventure. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) offer a fresh avenue to enhance live event experiences, pushing the boundaries beyond the physical limits of the event space. These tools are pivotal in enriching the attendee experience, merging the physical with the digital to create a seamless narrative journey.

At the heart of my company’s (SFG Productions) philosophy is the belief that the most memorable events are the ones co-created WITH the audience. Crowdsourced content opens the door for attendees to leave their mark on the event, transforming passive consumption into active participation. We architect audience excitement as live-tweeted questions shape the direction of a panel discussion, or they witness a collective creativity that is unleashed in collaborative murals. I’ve seen content creation contests ignite the attendees' competitive spirit, encouraging them to share their unique perspectives and talents, all the while enriching the event's narrative with diverse voices.

My team has found that the power of AI and data analytics rests in their ability to tailor the live event experience to each attendee. Event analytics can be captured through a variety of methods and channels, including pre-event registrations, app interactions, social media engagement, wearable technology check-ins, and real-time polling responses, providing a comprehensive dataset for in-depth analysis. By analyzing data, AI can help offer more personalized recommendations, from must-see sessions to must-meet individuals. This level of customization ensures that every attendee's journey is as unique as their interests, maximizing their engagement and satisfaction.

The attention span of audiences has plummeted in recent years following constant consumption of short-form media. Keep this in mind when developing your agenda. At my company, SFG Productions, we always suggest programming mental and physical breaks between speakers and panels. These can be stretch breaks, sing-alongs, audience participation requests, dynamic video content, or our favorite activity… immersive performances. Make sure to keep the content of these “breaks” relevant for the event so they reinforce takeaways and the overall event narrative and you’ll see audience energy stay high throughout your sessions.