Human connection is at the core of any successful event. As social creatures, people crave connection, especially in a time when loneliness and disconnection are more prevalent than ever. Creating a sense of belonging at your event is just the beginning. Imagine that feeling lasting for months—wouldn’t it be incredible to continue offering that sense of togetherness to your audience?
In today’s fast-paced world, hosting a successful event isn’t just about the day itself—it’s about keeping the momentum going long after the event has ended. Attendees may leave inspired, but if there’s no follow-up, that excitement can fade quickly. How can you extend the lifespan of your event and turn it into an ongoing conversation? It’s all about creating community, engagement, and shared experiences that last beyond a single day.
Why Community Building Matters Now More Than Ever:
Building a community around your event fosters stronger relationships, whether it’s a networking group for professionals, a brand-focused group for loyal customers, or an internal employee network. As event professionals, you have the power to not only spark these connections but also sustain them over time.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Event Engagement
It’s nearly impossible to keep post-event engagement alive organically. Active facilitation is key to sustaining interest, nurturing connections, and building loyalty. Here are some effective strategies for event professionals to maintain attendee engagement:
1. Create a Post-Event Community
One of the best ways to keep the conversation going is by inviting your attendees to join a post-event community. For example, at the end of your event, host a networking session where participants share contact information to be part of a follow-up group. From there, you can invite them to an online platform like Slack or Discord, where discussions can continue in real-time. Creating these hubs provides a space for people to interact, share content, and stay engaged.
2. Plan Virtual Meetups
To maintain engagement, organize virtual meetups three to six months after your event. Whether it’s a facilitated discussion, a virtual happy hour, or a follow-up Q&A with a keynote speaker, these meetups keep the energy alive.
Scheduling these meetups gives your attendees something to look forward to and strengthens the bonds formed during the initial event.
3. Host In-Person Events
If your audience is based in various cities, consider organizing in-person meetups in major locations. These local gatherings help reinforce community bonds and keep your event top-of-mind throughout the year.
4. Leverage Technology
Using technology to support post-event engagement is essential. Utilize event apps or online platforms to create content libraries or discussion forums so attendees can reference information after the event. In one case BeEvents used an app to crowdsource ideas during an event. Over 400 ideas were generated! Post-event facilitated weekly discussions on these ideas to keep the community engaged. This kind of tech integration ensures your event’s content remains relevant long after the closing ceremony.
5. Develop a Pre- and Post-Event Engagement Strategy
The most effective events don’t start and stop with the event itself. To truly build a lasting community, you need a strategy for engaging your attendees before and after the event. Pre-event engagement could include personalized invitations or exclusive content that primes attendees for the experience. Post-event, through emails, social media, or your event app to ensure the conversation continues. At a recent BizBash event, for instance, attendees were added to a LinkedIn group where a facilitator regularly
sparked discussions and invited members to additional learning sessions.
Why Brands Should Invest in Ongoing Engagement
For brands, the value of building a post-event community is immeasurable. Engaged attendees turn into loyal customers or employees, strengthening company culture and creating brand love. Event touchpoints are not just about one moment; they are about guiding your audience on a journey from point A to B, with your brand as the connector.
By keeping your event community active, you cultivate superfans—those who are loyal, passionate, and eager to come back year after year. These are the individuals who will continue advocating for your brand, ensuring that your investment in the event yields long-term benefits.
Need Help Keeping Your Audience Engaged?
You’ve invested in creating an incredible event—now let’s make sure that investment pays off. At BeEvents, we specialize in designing post-event engagement strategies that ensure your attendees stay connected and your brand stays top of mind. Contact us today to learn how we can help you foster lasting community and engagement:
