Event activations to impress before, during, and after your event
Download our free eBook packed with 30 interactive event activities and fun event activations to keep the energy high from check-in to closing remarks.
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Why do event activations and attendee engagement matter?
Today’s events aren’t just about attendance, they’re about memorable experiences. Whether you're planning a conference, internal summit, or trade show, this guide gives you the tools to engage attendees, speakers and participants from start to finish with proven event engagement strategies.
Here are some of the things you'll find inside:
These event activations are perfect for…
Event professionals
seeking fresh, proven fun ideas for events to elevate their next meetup, conference, summit, ceremony or trade show
Internal comms teams
aiming to captivate employees and stakeholders through engaging in-person or hybrid event engagement experiences
Agencies & Marketers
crafting standout brand activations and experiential marketing ideas that drive engagement and create deeper connections
Take a peek at what’s Inside
Here are three creative interactive event activities from the guide to inspire your event strategy:
Pre-event idea: Local discovery map
Get attendees excited before the event begins by sharing a curated Google Map or downloadable PDF filled with your top local recommendations—cafés, restaurants, parks, and must-see spots near the venue. This simple activation helps attendees coming to your event feel more connected to the location.
During the event: Choose a Cup
Make networking effortless and fun! Offer color-coded coffee cups labeled with topics like “Strategy,” “Innovation,” or “Sustainability.” Attendees simply pick a cup that reflects their interest—an instant conversation starter during breaks. Low effort, high connection that turns event attendees into active participants.
Post-event Idea: “Share your experience” wall
Encourage attendees to post their top takeaways on LinkedIn or your preferred social media platform and use the event hashtag. Make it even easier by displaying a QR code they can scan to share a message directly from their phones. Showcase the best posts by pinning them to the top of your social wall, and create a vibrant collection of real-time insights that capture the spirit of your event.
Don’t just plan an event. Create an experience.
🎁 Bonus download: The guide includes a free Event Activation Planning Template to help you map out activation ideas and assign tasks across your team.
Why social media walls are the ultimate event activation add-on
If you're looking to maximize attendee engagement, amplify attendee voices, and create real-time social media buzz, a social wall is one of the most powerful tools you can add to your event activation strategy for trade shows, conferences, and corporate events.
Here’s why social walls are a game-changer for event marketing:
Turn attendees into active participants
Aggregate and display content from over 15 social media platforms and direct uploads to create dynamic interactive displays.
Supercharge user-generated content
Transform your trade show booth or event space with interactive elements that encourage attendees to share their experiences.
Extend reach beyond the venue
Create social media buzz that extends your brand visibility far beyond your trade show booth or event space, turning every participant into a brand ambassador.
Maintain brand-safe content
Filter inappropriate or irrelevant content using AI-powered moderation to keep your interactive displays clean and brand-safe.
Frequently asked questions
1. What exactly is an event activation?
An event activation is any intentional activity or feature designed to engage attendees, spark interaction, and enhance the overall event experience. This can range from interactive displays and social media walls to live polls, themed networking, or personalized content. The goal is to turn passive attendance into active participation and create lasting impressions.
2. Are these activations suitable for virtual or hybrid event engagement?
While many interactive event ideas in the guide are designed for in-person events, many can be adapted for virtual event activations and virtual attendee engagement. For example, pre-event engagement strategies, social media campaigns, and post-event matchmaking all work seamlessly across formats. Interactive virtual event ideas and gamification for virtual events help maintain attendee engagement regardless of format.
3. Do I need a large budget or team to execute these ideas?
Not at all. The guide includes a wide variety of activation ideas, from low-cost, quick-win fun activations at events to more complex experiential event ideas. You’ll find scalable options for all team sizes and budget levels, including plug-and-play interactive activities for corporate events that require minimal setup but deliver high impact for your target audience.
4. Do all the event activation ideas in the eBook involve using a social wall?
No—while many creative event activations can be enhanced with a social wall, not all of them rely on one. In fact, most examples come from real brands and organizations that haven’t yet integrated a social wall into their strategy. The guide offers interactive trade show ideas, booth activation ideas, and conference activation ideas that range from analog to digital, low-tech to high-impact experiential marketing ideas.
5. How can these activation ideas help with lead generation?
Many interactive activities for conferences and trade show activation ideas are designed to generate leads and build meaningful connections with potential customers. From photo booths that capture contact information to interactive entertainment for corporate events that encourages networking, these strategies help you attract attendees and convert them into qualified leads.
6. How do these activations support brand activations and customer loyalty?
Well-executed brand activations create emotional connections between your brand and attendees, fostering customer loyalty and brand affinity. By offering valuable insights, creating personal touch moments, and facilitating deeper connections, these experiential marketing ideas help build lasting relationships with your target audience.
Get started with a Social Media Wall
Create a social wall for your business in minutes and transform your next event into an engaging event experience that attendees will remember.