Top 25 Breakout Session Ideas for Events

Breakout Session Ideas for Events

Introduction

Let’s face it, long lectures and progressive panels can be a bit of a snoozefest. That’s where breakout sessions feature in! These smaller, more intimate gatherings offer a refreshing change of pace and a valuable chance for networking and deeper engagement.

Let’s ditch the predictable panel discussions and explore some truly exciting breakout session ideas to help you reclaim the day and your guests’ attention.

The importance of event breakout sessions

Conference or corporate breakout sessions are modular activities interspersed into the larger framework of the event to facilitate conversation and break the monotony. They help groups mingle outside of their familiar circles and can motivate greater responsiveness and a sense of involvement that increases overall event satisfaction. They offer the following key benefits:

  • Increased engagement: Breakout sessions break the monotony and rigidity of formal gatherings and keep attendees actively involved.
  • Deeper learning: Smaller groups allow for more in-depth discussions and personalized learning experiences that people retain better.
  • Networking opportunities: Breakout sessions provide valuable opportunities for attendees to connect and build relationships.
  • Enhanced collaboration: Group activities foster teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking, livening up the ambiance.

Top 25 breakout session ideas for events

1. Scavenger hunt: A good old treasure hunt never fails to kindle excitement. Arrange it as a solo endeavour or a group activity, and be sure to offer meaty prizes to make things even more fun, such as bragging rights and role reversal day. Clues can be customized as per a chosen theme or branded to fit your company’s elements. They may also be tangible or QR code scannable for the tech-savvy.
2. IoT-based game challenge: There are numerous Internet of Things-based event gamification pathways you can opt for, such as punching bag activity, stepper or cycling. These too can be modelled into competitive challenges or a team effort, plugged into branded displays or a smoothie maker.

3. Karaoke melodies: Rent a karaoke machine setup, with props and proper feels and let people sing their hearts out. While this is obviously a talent show wherein you can discover the hidden sopranos in your team, you may also find other gems- such as a voice capable of warding off demons. Award titles for your challenges and activities- and get creative with them. Make sure that it doesn’t get too serious and that everyone has a good laugh out of it.
4. Speed networking: The suit-and-tie version of speed dating, this is a great way to motivate interaction across departments and varied portfolios. Provide a comfortable setting with privacy, and place cue cards at each table. While the larger goal may be to spark connections that would lead to fruitful business deals and greater workplace compatibility, you can also start small by allowing people to know each other better. Like musical chairs, this can be a time-bound partner swap activity too.
5. Branded photo op: Another classic without which, in this day and age, an event may feel utterly incomplete. Regale your employees with a fun and quirky AI Photobooth transformation or offer them instant digital caricatures or a sketch with the appropriate photo or video booth to amp up the ambiance.

6. Secret Santa, merch edition: Gifts don’t need to have a season to be given. Prepare a set of branded merch that can be DIYed into custom pieces, such as t-shirts, tote bags, mugs, diaries, wall clocks, etc. Participants can choose from among them a piece they wish to personalize with their creative expression and gift to a colleague or partner. Don’t forget to stock up on ample craft supplies if you plan to make this a live event.
7. Up and moving: Rekindle their spirits by making them move. Whether it is a relaxed yoga session or a sweat-it-out dance class, a group activity such as this one that leaves people with something new and precious to take back serves as an excellent breakout session. You can partner people up for a speed networking version of this. Be sure to provide ample expert assistance for the session so that due attention is given to every participant for executing the moves correctly
8. AR Mind Reader: With a random thought bubble-based interactive display such as this one by GoKapture, you can trigger infinite conversations and laughter and keep the energy buoyed. An AR Mind Reader may also be customized to play various games such as Ask Me Anything or Two Truths & A Lie.

9. Exercise those artistic muscles: For those who prefer something slow and calming to bond over, you can organize an art and crafts session that leaves people with precious memories and their own little creations to cherish. They can simply sit and paint, learn how to make a cyanotype print or even their very own paper, pottery, etc. Based on the resources and budget available, you can call in an expert to guide the session, provide drinks and snacks, or even make the whole thing into a team activity to create collaborative artwork.
10. Three-minute thesis: Brainstorm a fun way- have people do a mini presentation of their proposal to convince the audience- in under three minutes. It doesn’t have to be about work at all, though. You can adapt this concept to any kind of gathering, where attendees can enact a three-minute thesis on a fun and niche topic that would leave the audience with some interesting new information. For a closer-knit group or workplace, this can even take the form of self-introduction with one’s personal lore or inside jokes, such as ‘why does employee X hoard so many markers’ or even a bid on the optimum number of coffee breaks to convince your bosses.
11. Cooking conversations: Fun over food is a classic sureshot way to get the party started. There are myriad ways to do this. You can organize a stack-your-own-sandwich or mix-your-own-drink counter, have a salad-making or cake decoration competition which will also allow for team participation.
12. Custom game zone: Whether it’s a mega conference or an internal sales ignition event, an arcade with an array of fun branded digital and VR Games sounds like a treat to every ear! Play it big and energize your attendees by having them exercise their brains and muscles with a wide variety of games based on memory, skill and chance.

13. Walking tour: Take your team around for a heritage walk in the city, a street food tour, a museum visit, etc. These structured outings are great to unwind and spur conversations.
14. Trivia quiz: Divide people into teams for this one. The quiz can relate to your company’s history, special knowledge of the related fields or even pop culture, depending on the kind of attendees.
15. Excitometer: Wish you could take a measure of how excited your guests are about the occasion at hand? The Excitometer can make it happen! Unify the crowd in a resonant cheer that echoes through the venue, or make it a little opening competition by taking measures of groups divided by the departments or profiles associated and see who makes the most noise.

16. Venture into the wild: An excellent offsite-cum-breakout, a little trek or trail is another challenge you can undertake as a team to bond better. It doesn’t have to be tedious and exhausting. A simple trail away from the bustle of everyday life, perhaps with a guide who can help with bird spotting or provide some great lessons on the flora you pass by, can make for a memorable day.
17. Skill swap: You may know your colleagues by the roles they play in the company. But what other talents and quirks do they possess? Organize a little cultural exchange or a skill swap, where people get to learn things from each other. It can be an old family recipe or a few phrases in another language.
18. Bobblehead activity: Begin your day’s activities by building a mini army of bobbleheads, stacked on with the faces of your attendees. This is a great way to get things going, proving an opportunity for people to connect over and also serving to create souvenirs for people to take home at the end.

19. Workshop or mentorship session: Nurture your team with a skill-enhancement workshop, a wellness session or a mentor-led training and discussion session.
20. Minute to win it: The good old TV entertainment shows can fuel your breakout sessions like no other. Set up fun, outrageous and hilarious challenges to be attempted under a minute. They may be attempted in teams, and you can keep a leaderboard for the best performers.
21. Photo mosaic: A show-stealer that also functions as an ice-breaker, a photo op and a lead generation activity? Yes, with a branded photo mosaic wall, you can have it all! Whether digital or physical, a photo mosaic engages visitors in a shared group activity of contributing their pictures towards the making of a custom mosaic image which may be a brand logo or another symbolic depiction

22. Book club meet: Work, chores and doom-scrolling on social media leave little time for reading. Take an initiative to spark this healthy and constructive habit among the group by organizing a book club discussion. And no, it doesn’t have to be a hefty non-fictional read. You can shortlist several interesting and light reads, connected by some thematic thread, for people to take their pick from. The discussion may take place in corresponding smaller groups or jointly, so that each participant may be enriched further and motivated to read the other works as well.
23. Escape room: Escape room challenges can be designed to trigger smart and collaborative thinking. With the range of puzzles and physical challenges they can accommodate, these are a great way for everyone in the team to be able to demonstrate their abilities. What’s more, you can also opt for virtual escape rooms in order for remote participants to connect as well.
24. Event wall: An event engagement hub such as a live event wall functions as a focal piece at the occasion, lending coherence to the event with its presence and thematic display. Whether as a feedback wall, a slingshot game or as a digital lantern, this interactive wall can take myriad forms to respond to your exact needs for the event, and serves as a constantly alit zone of activity for people to mingle in.

25. Debate or roundtable discussion: Large-scale formal meetings and conferences rarely can accommodate the space and time for a rapid back and forth. Organize a debate or a roundtable, as the chosen topic suits better, wherein every participant is encouraged to speak out their minds and be justly heard. Such a discussion can become a mine for ideas and brainstorming, clearing the air, helping map out goals and future projects as well, while also testing the suitability of an idea or plan.

Conclusion

With a little creativity and these amazing breakout session ideas, you can transform your next event into an unforgettable and engaging experience for all.

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