Jun 13, 2025
Why Gamification Is the Cure for Boring Corporate Events
You know that feeling at a corporate event when your eyes start to glaze over and all you can think about is what you’re having for lunch? You’re not alone. And if you’re the one presenting, there’s nothing worse than looking out at an audience that has already mentally left the room. So what’s the secret to keeping people hooked from start to finish? It’s not making your content more interesting (although that doesn’t hurt). It’s not even adding more food breaks (no one would complain if you did, though). The key lies in three words: Let them play. Here’s how to design creative games that open up space for real human connection, learning that sticks and moments people talk about long after the event ends.
Start with connection
If you want people to engage, help them feel welcome first. Begin with a light-touch activity designed to warm up the room.
For example, we opened a client’s event with an activity where people had to form small groups based on a bingo card (“is wearing funky socks,” “traveled internationally to get here,” etc.). It’s easy, fun and helps people connect over real moments.
How to do it: If your event is hybrid, use inclusive activities like virtual bingo, photo sharing, or ‘this or that’ polls to make sure everyone can join in with minimal effort. Keep it simple, light and authentic.
Spice up your agenda
Gamification doesn’t have to be an afterthought - it should weave into your main content.
At our client’s digital transformation training roadshow, we incorporated a quiz after each session, reinforcing learning while keeping energy high. Instead of zoning out between topics, participants stayed engaged, discussed answers and actually remembered what they heard.
How to do it: Use platforms like Slido or Kahoot to create short, relevant touchpoints throughout the day. These can be as simple as true-or-false rounds or multiple-choice questions drawn from your session content.
Turn information into exploration
People learn best when they’re involved. So instead of delivering content through slides alone, turn it into a demonstration or challenge.
At our client’s training roadshow, we brought a highly technical new system to life through an animated process flow, complete with expert presenters wearing colour-coded t-shirts. This helped turn static information into something more interactive, exploratory and memorable.
How to do it: Tools like Typeform can be used to create a ‘choose your own path’ narrative experience, allowing participants to explore different features of a new product or digital system based on their choices.
Encourage meaningful team play
Games can be a powerful tool for building relationships, especially across hybrid teams.
At a recent client event, we included an activity where small groups had to craft a creative story using provided prompts. The result was a unique blend of imagination, teamwork and unexpected insights about the importance of high-quality data.
How to do it: Use breakout rooms to facilitate smaller group activities, and provide roles or responsibilities to encourage everyone’s input. Keep the timing tight so people stay energised!
Make feedback part of the game
Instead of waiting until the end for a lengthy feedback form, integrate real-time feedback into the flow of your event.
At our client events, we often use live word clouds, emoji voting and collaborative virtual whiteboards throughout the day. These moments keep people engaged and feeling heard while also offering valuable feedback at multiple touchpoints.
How to do it: We’re big fans of Miro and Slido for live feedback sessions. Ask one thoughtful question at a time, and share the visualised responses in real time so participants can see their input is valued.
Gamification isn’t about making things silly, it’s about making them stick. For our clients, we use it intentionally to create space for connection, insight and meaningful learning experiences.
So, if your next event needs more energy, more involvement or just more heart, turning up the play factor might be the way in.