Our last post– almost a month ago, but we’re back for good now– dealt with the phenomenon of participant-driven events. That’s all well and good, but maybe you’re trying to rework your annual convention now and you’re interested in seeing some specifics. If so, take a look at this list we’ve compiled of some of the most innovative, audience-engaging meeting formats we know.
Exchange Cafe: Each table has a unique assigned topic and a facilitator guiding discussion. Attendees can move around and discuss different issues at different tables.
Round Table: Attendees suggest topics on the spot and a facilitator guides discussion.
Cards: Facilitators deal out cards containing common disease scenarios. The attendee answers according to his experience, and if he does not know what to do, he can get clues from the facilitator or the audience.
Pair-Squared: Ask attendees to pair up and discuss a specified issue or question—give each person in the pair a set time to talk while the other listens. Next, let each pair find another pair. Attendee A shares what Attendee B said, and vice versa; the members of the other pair then do the same.
Circles: An inner circle discusess an issue while an outer circle listens and takes notes. Participants in the outer circle then share their observations. The groups then switch and repeat the process.
Critical Incidents: In a paragraph or two, present a real or fictitious situation for which participants can discuss possible solutions or outcomes.
Structured Note Taking: Provide some graphical representation that frames the discussion or lecture, such as specific questions to answer or fill-in-the-blanks.
Breakout Choices: Following a keynote, offer several breakouts—one to discuss the lecture, one to work on a case study, and so on.
Body Voting: Ask the audience to take an action based on a series of questions—for example, let them stand or sit down in response to a poll.
Human Spectagram: Make a statement. Let one corner of the room represent “strongly agree,” and another, “strongly disagree”. Attendees stand along the wall according to how they feel on the issue, acting as a quick guage of audience sentiments.
Q&A via Text: Set up a system whereby attendees can text their questions to a certain number instead of speaking into a microphone—this opens the floor to those who might be scared of asking in front of others.
iPad Dinner Quiz: At each table, participants collaborate on two or three iPads to give answers to fun, engaging, and relevant questions.
Twitter Feedback: Use Twitter with PollEverywhere to let audience members respond to questions.
Twitter Questions: Create a Twitter account devoted specifically to fielding audience questions, comments, and complaints during the meeting.
Of course, don’t try to implement all these changes all at once. Start small, and make sure you communicate clearly with attendees prior to the meeting so they know exactly what to expect. Also, give the new format a few years to catch on– don’t expect immediate 100% satisfaction. Some of these ideas might make participants uncomfortable at first, but once they’ve grown accustomed, they might never want to go back.