While the internet debates the nuances of a Microsoft study stating the average attention span for humans has dropped to that of a goldfish (8 seconds, down from 12 seconds in 2000), there’s no debating that it takes a lot of effort to keep audiences engaged these days. Not to mention, the Harvard Business Review has found that 70% of people can’t focus on one task for more than 20 minutes.
So how is an event planner supposed to keep attendees tuned-in through a full multi-day conference, trade show or corporate event? Your event technology and management tools, from your registration software to your mobile event app, and even on-site badge printing solutions are built to help engage modern attendees, streamline event check-in, and create meaningful, memorable experiences from the very first touchpoint.
Engagement isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a key performance indicator. So here are a few tips on how to build an engagement strategy that keeps your attendees focused, participating, and coming back for more.
1. Personalize the Attendee Experience
Personalization is key to creating events that resonate. Attendees want to feel like your event was built for them. You don’t need to customize every detail, but a few thoughtful touches go a long way. Options like curated breakout sessions, post-keynote Q&As, and movement-friendly wellness breaks give guests the chance to choose what matters most to them. Even food can play a role—offering inclusive dining options like vegan or gluten-free meals reinforces that your event was thoughtfully planned.
So how can your event tech help with personalization? Personalization is easier when you use the right event registration platform, where you can collect valuable data to customize attendee tracks, session suggestions, and even things like wellness offerings. Also consider on-demand badges, where attendees can get personalized, premium badges even with on-site registration or last-minute info changes. Pair that with live session scanning and attendance analytics to give yourself the flexibility to adapt schedules and sessions in real time to deliver a polished, personalized experience.
2. Go Small (to Go Big)
Big events are back, but small-scale experiences are thriving. We’ve seen an industry-wide trend toward more micro-events, smaller breakout sessions, and personalized workshops that allow for deeper connection and better focus. These intimate formats help attendees stay engaged by minimizing distractions and creating space for genuine conversation.
When going for these smaller-format experiences, session management is key. Make sure your registration and event software seamlessly works with capacity limits, and use real-time attendance tracking to be sure everything stays on track. Smaller workshops also provide an opportunity to gather more focused attendee feedback through tools like post-session surveys in your event’s mobile app.
3. Make Networking and Conference Connections Easy (and Fun)
Networking is one of the biggest value-drivers for in-person events, and attendees are more likely to stay engaged when they feel socially connected. Event planners can lean on their planning tools and agendas to promote interaction, whether that’s connecting attendees through an event’s mobile app, or scheduling in-person mixers or break-out sessions. Another thing to consider is transforming those scheduled breaks throughout your agenda into opportunities for relationship building (did someone say “Coffee and snacks? Yes please!”).
If you want to take it a step further, consider ice-breaker games, pertinent trivia or even scavenger hunts, which can provide an atmosphere for attendees to bond, get to know each other better, champion their brands, and solidify their working relationships.
4. Add a Little In-Event Entertainment
Entertainment doesn’t have to be over-the-top to make an impact. Whether it’s a DJ during lunch, a comedian to keep attendees laughing, or a musical act to liven things up, a little bit of entertainment outside of the usual business can inject energy and help maintain attention spans throughout the day.
The right act can also reflect positively on a company’s identity and image, showing a willingness to support creativity and innovation. Entertainment can not only help keep the energy and engagement levels up, it can also build positive associations with your brand and event. If you’re going all out on a great act, like a musical guest or comedian, feature them on your branded event badge along with the time and location, which also turns your badge into a nice little keepsake for attendees after the show.
5. Recognize and Reward Attendees
Celebrating your attendees doesn’t have to wait until the closing remarks. Recognizing participation throughout the event can drive motivation, create fun moments, and reinforce a sense of belonging. Whether it’s professional awards or playful superlatives, these touchpoints show appreciation in a way that feels authentic.
Pro tip! Consider achievements based on real-time event analytics from your on-site event badge sessions scanning and attendance tracking. This could be a practical reward for an attendee completing all sessions and feedback surveys, or even something silly, like, “The Award For First In Their Seat, Last Out The Door!”
6. Use Technology to Enhance Engagement
Today’s event tech isn’t just about convenience—it’s a key driver of engagement. Consider features like live polls, workshop Q&A’s, and interactive session ratings, turning attendees into active participants with just a few taps in your event’s mobile app. AI-powered tools like automated session summaries can also help guests revisit key takeaways, especially if their attention wandered during a session.
With session feedback tools alongside customized data collected at registration, you’ll be able to paint a clearer picture of your attendee experience and make sure your event stays relevant, agile, and audience-focused.
7. Know Your Audience (Especially Gen Z)
With Gen Z making up a growing share of event attendees, planners need to meet them where they are: digitally savvy, value-driven, and highly interactive. This generation expects experiences that feel personalized, authentic, and sharable. They also expect cohesive branding, modern interfaces, and a seamless experience from registration, to check-in and badge printing, to session scanning, to exit polls.
To keep Gen Z engaged, also consider how you can build interactive and human-centric moments, cause-based programming, and creative content they can connect with into your event agenda.
Wrapping It All Together
Keeping attendees engaged in today’s attention-starved world means rethinking how we design our conferences and events, from registration to check-in to the final session. Leaning into today’s event technology tools, we can build smarter, more interactive experiences that feel intuitive, inclusive, and unforgettable. Whether you’re hosting a 100-person trade show or a 10,000-person conference, engagement is the key to lasting impact and repeat customers and attendees.
