Keeping event attendees fully engaged has become both an art and a science.
Through my experience hosting Cart Basel and interviewing industry leaders on the Heartfelt Event Show, I’ve discovered that the formula for audience engagement remains constant across different formats and audiences.
The key lies in creating what I call ‘lean-in moments’ – those pivotal instances when attendees become fully present and invested in the experience.
Table of Contents
The Three Pillars of Audience Engagement
Here are three key pillars.
Find GIVING Speakers
Just because someone has an impressive title, a resume and lists of accomplishments doesn’t make them a good presenter.
An audience can tell if a keynote, round table, or fireside chat is an ego trip for the speaker.
Find speakers that want to engage, give to, and connect with the audience for a purpose bigger than themselves, not just to share how impressive their life story is.
The difference between a self-serving presentation and a genuinely valuable one is immediately apparent to audiences.
They can sense when a speaker is there to serve versus when they’re there to be served. Prioritizing speakers who come with a giving mindset transforms the entire dynamic of your event.
Harness the Power of ENERGY
Participating at an event is a big commitment, and the days can be long. One way to combat fatigue is to find ways to get the audience moving around.
A true expert, like Aaron Spivak, knows how to make it enjoyable, push healthy boundaries, and extract the best energy from the crowd.
Energy management isn’t just about keeping people awake – it’s about creating an environment where engagement feels natural and sustainable throughout the event.
When you successfully manage the room’s energy, you create a foundation for deeper connection and learning.
Make the Presentation Interactive
Slides are a great way to educate the audience, but make sure to ask engaging questions that make your audience think.
Beyond setting time at the end of a keynote for Q&A, engage your audience by finding ways to include their opinions and thoughts in your presentation.
No one did this better than Alex Fedotoff and Mark Builds Brands.
True interactivity goes beyond traditional Q&A sessions. It involves weaving audience participation into the fabric of the presentation itself, making attendees active contributors rather than passive recipients of information.
The Investment Factor
If you can stimulate both the physical and intellectual side of your audience, they will feel INVESTED in the presentation and will be LOCKED IN.
This dual engagement creates a powerful psychological state where attendees become stakeholders in the experience rather than mere observers.
Conclusion
Creating lean-in moments isn’t about flashy production or celebrity speakers – it’s about understanding the fundamental human need for connection, energy, and engagement.
By focusing on giving speakers, managing energy effectively, and fostering genuine interactivity, event organizers can transform any gathering into a memorable and impactful experience.
The formula may be simple, but its execution requires intentionality and practice. When done right, these lean-in moments become the difference between an event people attend and an event people remember.