Incentivize Networking: Interactive Activity for a Networking Event
Interactive Icebreaker Activity Idea
People say they come to events to network.
But in a large group, most attendees only connect with a few new people.
Here's a simple way to encourage more conversations per guest.
Why Guests Stop at One Conversation
Saying Hi Is Hard
Getting people to say hi to one stranger is hard.
Getting them to keep going after that first conversation is even harder.
Groups Stick Together
In larger groups, most people stick with who they already know.
Or they find one friendly face and stay there all night.
No Reason to Move On
Nobody wants to be the one who walks away first. So they don't.
An Easy Networking Game for Larger Groups
Meet as Many New People as Possible
The goal is simple: get people meeting as many new people as possible.
To do that, the activity needs to do two things:
- Give everyone a reason to start a conversation.
- Build in a reason to move on and meet the next person.
That second part is what most icebreakers miss.
The Idea: Jam Bingo
Jam Bingo = More Convos
Jam Bingo is the networking game that gives each person conversation starters to encourage meaningful conversations.
Each Connection Unlocks the Next Prompt
- It gives you a conversation starter.
- You find someone to ask.
- You connect with them.
- It gives you your next prompt.
Connecting with someone new unlocks the next prompt.
More prompts, more convos. That's the incentive.
And 'I need to find my next person' is the polite reason to move on.
Your Prompts, a Random Mix
You can add your own conversation prompts to the game.
Each person receives a random mix, so guests spread out across the whole room.
Need prompts? Grab some from the best conversation starters, or browse Jam Bingo templates.
A Leaderboard Adds a Little Competition
Every connection counts. The leaderboard shows who's met the most people.
A shout-out halfway through gets the whole room moving again.
How to Run It
A 30-Minute Plan
- 0 to 3 minutes: put the QR code on screen and have everyone scan it.
- 3 to 15 minutes: free play.
- 15 minutes: leaderboard shout-out.
- 15 to 27 minutes: free play.
- 27 to 30 minutes: celebrate the top 3 players.
What to Say
'Scan the QR code. Find someone who matches your prompt, connect, and unlock your next one. Most connections wins.'
Make the Incentive Real
A small prize for the top 3 goes a long way. Here are fun small prize ideas for networking bingo.
Where It Works
- Professional mixers of 100 to 500 people.
- Conference receptions.
- Company kickoffs and merged teams.
- Chamber and association events.
- Any event where guests come in groups and stay in groups.
Create a Jam Bingo
The Networking Game That Gets People Talking
Want your group mixing? Give them a reason to keep going.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you incentivize networking at an event?
Give guests a clear reason to talk to someone new, and a reward for doing it again. In Jam Bingo, each conversation starter leads to a connection, and each connection unlocks the next prompt, so guests keep going.
What is a good interactive icebreaker for a large group?
A self-paced game where everyone plays at once, like Jam Bingo. Nobody waits for a turn, nobody performs for the room, and it works for 20 or 1,000 people.
Why do guests only meet a few new people at events?
Saying hi to one stranger is hard, and moving on from that first conversation is even harder. Without a reason to move, people stay with who they know or whoever they met first.
Do guests need to download an app?
No. Guests scan a QR code and play in their phone's browser.