The Pre-Game: Why Get in the PARTICIPATION Game?

With participation coming closely on the heels of play  as key ingredients sought after in the design of meetings, we thought it would be helpful to share ideas on how, when, where and what you can do to include these elements and add real impact to your event.  In our next few blog posts, we’ll talk about strategic places to include play, participation and fun, including learning and content, networking, general sessions, CSR events, and of course teambuilding … and the ROPPF (return on play, participation and fun) you’ll achieve. 

First, let’s explore what exactly it means to make events more engaging thru these elements.   

THE STUDIES IN A NUTSHELL

Sometimes we just need some research and proof to convince our event shareholders that it is impactful and worthwhile to include event components that look like just fun.  Here are three research studies that give you validation. 

The 2025 Freeman Trends Report reveals a disconnect between event organizers and attendees regarding what constitutes a "peak moment". While organizers often focus on flashy elements like keynotes and parties, attendees prioritize outcomes like learning and making meaningful connections. (Sound familiar? Some things never change!)  So two of our primary goals as a planner are to:  

• Prioritize core objectives: Ensure the fundamentals like networking and learning are executed effectively before investing heavily in elaborate "show" elements. This includes spending more money on things like education and networking as opposed to keynote speakers, expensive entertainers and heavy décor. 

  
  

• Design for engagement: Create opportunities for hands-on interaction and collaboration to meet attendee expectations for an immersive experience. 

  
  

The Power of Play was presented last year by PCMA, CEMA & Marriott, who conducted extensive research on behaviors that will influence six meeting design trends now and into the distant future. One of them is Play.   They found that play provides compelling design that benefits wellness, creativity, and productivity. Play connects function and experience, helps to catalyze content, build teams, define cultures, introduce new ideas, make learning ‘sticky’, foster problem solving, and spark joy. Audiences want to get hands-on and be free to share ideas.   

Lastly, the National Library of Medicine found that the dopamine released when having fun is directly linked to improved memory retention and learning.  When people have fun, they are able to retain knowledge, reduce stress, be more creative and enjoy a more open, relaxed mindset.  Fun is NOT just about making people happy—it’s about creating an environment where they can thrive.   

Now that you’re convinced of the importance of ROPPF in your events, it’s time to amp it up! 

DEFINING “IT” 

We frequently get asked “why is it important?” Our answer:  because it is where engagement becomes transformative instead of just entertaining.  In a quick summary, this is how we define it. 

“The intersection of play, participation, and fun is the point where people are actively engaged, emotionally invested, and joyfully connected in a shared experience.”  

It’s where doing becomes learning, enjoyment becomes motivation, and interaction becomes connection.  It’s where adults stop observing and start immersing. 

• Play brings creativity and experimentation. 

  
  

• Participation brings ownership and connection. 

  
  

• Fun brings emotion and energy. 

  
  

When these three merge, you create an environment that feels safe, engaging, and meaningful. People don’t just attend — they contribute. They don’t just learn — they remember. And they don’t just enjoy — they transform together. 

Remember … infusing these into events, whatever that looks like, has to be fundamental. It can’t be a luxury or something that we do occasionally, it has to be infused into the fabric of the experience. 

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Look for “Round Two: Infusing Participation into Learning & Content”  next week. (And we promise, now that we’ve set the stage it won’t be so wordy!)