Create a Jam Bingo

Easy Large Group Networking Activity for Accounting Professionals Mixer

Short answer

What is an easy and simple large group ice breaker for accounting professionals?

Give people a simple, structured reason to start conversations with someone new — short conversation prompts they complete by meeting and talking to different people — instead of leaving it to open mingling. We designed Jam Bingo to be a highly effective networking activity for analytical minds. In practice: customize your prompts, set up Jam Bingo, display the QR code, and let the networking begin.

Key takeaways

  • ✓The main obstacles are stiff professional small talk, the clumping effect, and awkward structured activities.
  • ✓What works: no awkward cards, structured but low pressure, and scales effortlessly.
  • ✓Run it once everyone has arrived and before the meal, during open networking time — not during talks.
  • ✓Plan about 3–5 minutes per conversation: roughly 25–35 minutes for five conversations each.
  • ✓Mix easy, observable prompts with a few questions and challenges, and write two to three times as many prompts as conversations.
  • ✓Works well for accounting mixers, corporate finance events, professional association gatherings, and networking summits.

Accounting mixers often feel stiff and formal, making it difficult for attendees to move past surface-level small talk. You;'re looking for a simple and organic way to incentivize people to interact with each other.

1

You are leading the networking session.

2

You're looking for a simple and organic way to incentivize people to interact with each other.

3

Not too structured, easy to set up, easy to understand, and simple for large groups to participate in.

4

The attendees don't all know each other and you want them to get out of their bubbles.

5

Your attendees may come from different departments, locations, chapters, schools, organizations, or are complete strangers.

6

The goal is to help them connect.

Step-by-step implementation guide

How to Run It: Easy Large Group Networking Activity for Accounting Professionals Mixer

Everything you need to run it: when to run it, how long it takes, how to write good prompts, and what guests will ask.

  1. 01

    Jam Bingo is a simple, interactive networking activity that helps people meet and have conversations with others they may not know.

    1. 1

      Scan to join

      Attendees scan the event’s Jam Bingo QR code (or enter the game code). It runs in the phone’s browser—nothing to download.
    2. 2

      Get a conversation prompt

      Each person receives a conversation prompt on their phone, like a question to ask someone new.
    3. 3

      Find someone and talk

      They find someone who fits the prompt, have the conversation, then scan that person’s QR code (or enter their code) to unlock the next prompt.
    4. 4

      Repeat and connect

      Every connection is saved, and the leaderboard shows who met the most new people—perfect for prizes.

    Curious what it's like?

    Watch a video instead

  2. 02

    When to run it

    Once everyone has arrived

    Start 15–30 minutes into the networking block. If networking begins at 10:00 AM, kick off at 10:30 AM — latecomers have arrived and people haven't settled into their usual groups yet.

    Before the meal, not after

    Run it before people eat. Eating speeds vary, and running it after a meal makes slower eaters feel rushed or left out. If it has to be after, announce clear timings in advance.

    After drinks are in hand

    Let guests grab a drink when they arrive, then gather everyone's attention right before you start.

    Not during talks

    Keep it to open networking time. People can't mingle while they're expected to listen to a speaker.

    How long to run it

    Plan about 3–5 minutes per conversation. Each prompt is one conversation, so the length of the game depends on how many people you want each guest to meet.

    For 5 people each

    Kick-off

    5 min

    Playing (5 prompts)

    15–25 min

    Wrap-up

    5 min

    Total

    25–35 min

    Kick-off Playing Wrap-up

    For your group size (50—500 attendees): give everyone 1–2 minutes to scan in. Put the QR code on the main screen and at the registration table.

  3. 03

    Prompts are what make the game work. A good prompt gives someone a reason to walk up to a stranger — and something to talk about once they do. Mix a few different types for accounting professionals & finance leaders:

    Types of prompts

    Questions

    The easiest way in. The player asks one question and listens.

    “Ask someone what three words their friends would use to describe them.”

    Find someone who…

    Sends people across the room looking for a match — great for mixing groups.

    “Find someone who has lived in more than two cities.”

    Observation prompts

    Zero pressure: the player can spot the right person before saying a word.

    “Find someone wearing something blue and ask about their favorite weekend activity.”

    Challenges

    Quick, playful actions that get laughs and lift the energy in the room.

    “Challenge someone to a quick game of rock, paper, scissors.”

    Deeper questions

    Lead to real stories — use a few once people have warmed up.

    “Ask someone about a decision that changed the direction of their career.”

    Event-specific prompts

    Tie the game to why people are there, so the conversations are actually useful.

    “Find someone from a different team and ask what they're working on this month.”

    A good mix

    Aim for roughly 40% easy prompts (observation and “find someone who…”), 40% questions, and 20% challenges and deeper prompts. Easy prompts get people moving; the deeper ones lead to the conversations people remember.

    How many prompts to write

    Each guest gets one prompt per person they meet — 5 in your plan. Write 10–15 prompts in total: every player gets them in a different, shuffled order, so a bigger list means more variety and fewer people looking for the same conversation at once.

    Do

    • ✓Start with easy, observable prompts, then build up to deeper ones.
    • ✓Make every prompt about another person, so it always leads to a conversation.
    • ✓Keep prompts short enough to read at a glance on a phone.
    • ✓Write prompts almost everyone can complete — no one should feel left out.

    Don't

    • ✕Avoid yes/no prompts that end the conversation in one word.
    • ✕Avoid inside jokes that only one group will understand.

    Need a starting point? Browse ready-made prompt templates for different kinds of events and adapt them to your group.

  4. 04

    Before the event: checklist

    • ✓Create your Jam Bingo and add your prompts.
    • ✓Set how many people each guest should meet.
    • ✓Download the QR code and add it to your slides, table tents, or printed signs.
    • ✓Test scanning the QR code from the back of the room.
    • ✓Check the room has phone signal or Wi-Fi.
    • ✓Brief your emcee or helpers on the announcement and timing.
    • ✓Decide on prizes (and who will hand them out).

    Where to display the QR code

    Put the QR code on the main screen and at the registration table. The more places people see it, the faster everyone joins. If your event has name badges, printing the QR code on the badge or agenda works well too.

    ✂️ Instructions for printouts or slides
    1. 1.Scan the QR code (or enter the game code) to open the game.
    2. 2.Prompts appear directly on each guest's phone screen.
    3. 3.Guests walk around and find someone who can answer their prompt.
    4. 4.Scan their QR code to unlock the next prompt.
    5. 5.Repeat, mingle, and have fun!
  5. 05

    Run of show (about 35 minutes)

    1. 1

      Minute 0 — Get everyone's attention

      Read the announcement below (or have your emcee read it), with the QR code already on screen.
    2. 2

      Minutes 1–5 — Everyone scans in

      Guests scan the QR code and type their name. For your group size, allow 1–2 minutes.
    3. 3

      First prompts — People start moving

      Walk the room and nudge anyone standing still: “What's your prompt? Let's find someone for it.”
    4. 4

      Around minute 18 — Halfway update

      Give a quick time check and remind people to meet someone they haven't talked to yet.
    5. 5

      Minute 30 — Final call

      Let everyone know they have five minutes left to unlock their last prompt.
    6. 6

      Minute 35 — Wrap up

      Share the leaderboard, hand out prizes, and thank everyone for playing.
    📣 What to say when you start
    “We're about to start Jam Bingo, a networking activity designed to help you meet and get to know each other. Scan the QR code on the screen to join. You'll receive a prompt on your phone, and your goal is to find someone who can answer it. Once you've had a conversation, scan their QR code to unlock your next prompt. Keep moving around, meet new people, and have fun!”

    While it's running

    • ✓Join in yourself — guests follow the host's energy.
    • ✓Look for people standing alone and introduce them to someone.
    • ✓If someone's camera won't scan, show them how to type in the other person's code instead.
    • ✓If someone is stuck on a prompt, remind them a Skip button appears after about a minute.
  6. 06
    1. 1

      Give a final call

      Five minutes before the end, let everyone know it's their last chance to unlock a prompt.
    2. 2

      Share the leaderboard

      Your dashboard shows who met the most new people. Put it on the screen and read out the top few.
    3. 3

      Hand out prizes at the very end

      Wait until everyone has finished, so no one stops mingling early. Swag, gift cards, or a small gift all work well.
    4. 4

      Encourage follow-up

      Remind everyone that each connection is saved on their phone, and that they can share their socials with the people they met.
  7. 07

    Do guests need to download an app?

    No. Guests scan the QR code with their phone camera and it opens in the browser. They type their name and start playing.

    What if someone's camera won't scan a QR code?

    Every player has a short code. Guests can type in the other person's code instead of scanning it.

    What if a guest gets a prompt they can't complete?

    After about a minute on a prompt, a Skip button appears so they can move on to a different one.

    Does everyone get the same prompts?

    No. Each player gets the prompts in a different, shuffled order, so people are looking for different conversations at the same time.

    What if someone doesn't have a phone?

    Pair them with a friend or a colleague to play as a team. They'll still meet everyone their partner meets.

    How do I know who won?

    Your dashboard has a leaderboard showing who met the most new people. Share it at the end and reward the top connectors.

    What happens to the connections afterwards?

    Each player keeps a list of the people they met and the prompts they talked about, and can share their socials with them.

    What should people do if they finish early?

    Encourage them to keep mingling and help others complete their prompts — early finishers are great at pulling quieter guests into conversations.

  8. 08

    Is Jam Bingo right for you?

    Each person will meet and talk with 5 different people.

    Starting atFree

    Jam Bingo is a simple, non-structured networking activity designed to get people talking organically. Rather than forced icebreakers, it delivers gamified prompts to participants' phones that encourage lighthearted interactions across large groups without feeling awkward or artificial.

    Getting approval from your accounting professionals & finance leaders

    • ✓Run the Jam Bingo Demo with your team so they see it first-hand.
    • ✓Share the pricing and the plan from this guide.
    • ✓Once approved, create a Jam Bingo and customize it with your own prompts.

The simple way to get people talking!

Jam Bingo gets people having meaningful conversations and meeting as many new people as possible.

Event networking session
Participants interacting
Happy crowd using phones
Why it's hard

The Stiff Accounting Mixer Problem

Accounting mixers are essential for career growth, but they can be notoriously hard to warm up. Traditional events rely on people magically finding things in common, which rarely works in a room full of introverted professionals. If you need a 200 person ice breaker that feels natural and relaxed, standard networking cards and paper sheets do not work. Jam Bingo changes the dynamic completely, getting people to mingle and connect without any of the usual social pressure.

1

Stiff Professional Small Talk

Accountants often default to repetitive questions about job titles or tax season, missing the chance to build deeper professional bonds.

2

The Clumping Effect

Colleagues from the same firm or pre-existing friend groups cluster together, making it hard for other attendees to mingle.

3

Awkward Structured Activities

Standard networking ice breakers often feel childish or forced, causing analytical professionals to disengage entirely.

What works

The perfect networking activity for accounting professionals.

We designed Jam Bingo to be a highly effective networking activity for analytical minds. Instead of carrying awkward papers, attendees simply scan a QR code on their phone to unlock their first connection challenge. This interactive networking tool guides them to find other guests, share a quick conversation, and unlock the next prompt. It is a unique idea for a networking activity that breaks down barriers effortlessly, ensuring everyone at your accounting mixer goes home with valuable new contacts.

Where this works best: accounting mixers, corporate finance events, professional association gatherings, and networking summits.

No Awkward Cards

There are no physical cards to carry and nothing to fill out. Guests play entirely on their phones, keeping their hands free to shake hands and hold drinks.

Structured but Low Pressure

Analytical minds love clear, gamified goals. The structured prompts make it easy for introverted accountants to approach anyone without feeling awkward.

Scales Effortlessly

From fifty guests up to a 200 person ice breaker, Jam Bingo handles the crowd automatically with zero paper waste.

Step-by-step

How to Setup this Large Group Icebreaker for Your Accounting Mixer

  1. 1

    Customize your prompts

    Create conversation prompts tailored to finance professionals, such as finding someone who worked in public accounting or someone who loves Excel macros.

  2. 2

    Set up Jam Bingo

    Add your custom prompts to the platform. You can also choose from our curated templates designed for professional mixers.

  3. 3

    Display the QR code

    Place the printed QR code around your event space or project it on a screen so it is visible to all your attendees.

  4. 4

    Let the networking begin

    Guests scan the code, get their first prompt, and start mingling. They complete challenges by chatting with new faces, unlocking one connection after another.

Compare your options

Ways to Get People Talking, Compared

There's more than one way to solve this for accounting mixers, corporate finance events, professional association gatherings, and networking summits. Here's how the common approaches compare.

Open mingling (no structure)

Put people in a room with food and drinks and let conversations happen.

Setup effort
None
Group size
Any size
Gets people mixing
Low — most people stay with who they already know
How it feels for guests
Easy for outgoing people, hard for quieter guests
Watch out for
Cliques form within minutes, and newcomers end up on the edges.

“Ask me about” name tags

Guests write one topic on their name tag as a ready-made conversation starter.

Setup effort
Low — markers and name tags
Group size
Any size
Gets people mixing
Medium — gives people an opener, but no reason to move around
How it feels for guests
Natural and low-pressure
Watch out for
Easy to ignore; it only works if people read badges and act on them.

Paper human bingo

A printed grid of “find someone who…” squares that guests fill in with names.

Setup effort
Medium — design, print, and hand out cards and pens
Group size
Best up to about 100 people
Gets people mixing
Medium to high — people have to approach others
How it feels for guests
Fun, but can turn into a quick signature hunt
Watch out for
People rush to fill squares instead of talking, and printing takes time.

Speed networking

Timed one-on-one conversations; people rotate to a new partner every few minutes.

Setup effort
Medium to high — seating plan, timer, and someone running it
Group size
Best up to about 60 per round
Gets people mixing
High — everyone is guaranteed several new conversations
How it feels for guests
Can feel forced or interview-like
Watch out for
Rigid and needs strong facilitation; feels out of place at relaxed social events.

Table topics / roundtables

Each table gets a discussion topic, and people join the one that interests them.

Setup effort
Low to medium — topic cards or table signs
Group size
Any size (in tables of 6–10)
Gets people mixing
Medium — great conversations within a table, little across tables unless you rotate
How it feels for guests
Natural, especially for professional audiences
Watch out for
People settle at one table for the whole session.
Jam Bingo

Phone-based conversation prompts (e.g. Jam Bingo)

Guests scan a QR code and get conversation prompts on their phone; meeting someone unlocks the next prompt.

Setup effort
Low — write prompts and display a QR code
Group size
Any group size
Gets people mixing
High — each prompt sends people to someone new
How it feels for guests
Natural — the prompt gives everyone a reason to start talking
Watch out for
Needs guests to have a phone and signal (pair anyone without one with a buddy).
Keep exploring

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