Sunday, April 28, 2013

Conference Energisers and Icebreakers

If you\’re organising a conference this spring it is more vital than ever, to make sure you, your organisation and your delegates obtain the maximum benefit from every event you invest in. You certainly don\’t want your delegates falling asleep from boredom and inactivity.


The going\’s tough at many conferences; full on lectures from dawn to dusk and then a heavy night of partying. No wonder the attention span for most is like that of a gnat! You don\’t want delegates falling asleep at the slightest opportunity.


To ensure you engage your audience you need to inject some fun, energy and activity. Energiser sessions work as a great way to break the ice, gain attention and get delegates warmed up for the next session. They are best when strategically placed throughout the day. Guests benefit from a break in the schedule and return with enthusiasm and focus.


It\’s uncomfortable to sit for hours at a time, especially in tight seating or in a hot, stuffy room. Get your delegates moving!


If you are lucky enough to have lots of empty space, the choice of weird and wonderful team building activities to restore the energy in the group is amazing. Perhaps you have space outside? Or a hotel located by a beach? Though you do need to be aware that moving a large audience just a short distance will take much longer than you think. Allow twice the time for a smaller group. Quite often it is better to break for coffee and have the hotel staff re-organise the room for your conference energiser during that time.


If you are seated in rows or around tables the situation is trickier, especially if no one can move. Think about energisers that can be lead from the front. Here\’s some suggestions:


Drumming


Singing (African is brilliant for this)


Circus Skills – bit of space needed


Stretching


Boomwackers


Rhythmn


Mexican wave


Junk Funk – make music from old tin cans, dustbin lids etc


Percussion – remember school days? Symbols, triangles, casternets etc.


Communication games eg. Origami, balloon animals etc.


Bingo


The ideal conference would have a warm-up ice breaker session to start in the morning to get people mixing, chatting and getting to know others.


Then there\’s always the graveyard slot after lunch there where you could use some sort of physical activity to re-connect with the conference and raise energy levels. Finally there would be a closing conference energiser to end the day on a high and have participants leave elated and looking forward to coming back the next day! It\’s a worthwhile investment!


Learn more about Conference Energisers and Icebreakers. by stopping by Eventus Training and Events LTD and see what we can do for you.



Conference Energisers and Icebreakers

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