Unlock Engagement: Guide to Event App Gamification

January 18, 2024

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Amarnath M

Imagine walking into an event and finding yourself part of an exciting game – that’s the magic of event app gamification.

A world where attendees aren’t just attendees, but competitors, vying for rewards and achievements.

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This innovative approach is changing how we experience events, making them more interactive, engaging, and memorable. But what exactly is event app gamification, and why is it becoming a must-have for modern events?

Psychology Behind Gamification

Alright, you’ve got the basics down pat but let’s dive deeper and really get into the nitty-gritty of why gamification works so well.

It’s all about tapping into that deep-seated human desire for achievement and recognition.

We’re all competitive to some degree. Whether we’re racing to finish a project first at work or trying to clock the fastest lap time on a virtual race track, the thrill of the race gives us a punch of adrenaline that’s simply irresistible. That’s the power of game mechanics. They bring out our competitive spirit.

Now imagine harnessing that energy for your events. With gamification, you’re doing more than just adding a fun element – you’re creating a dynamic interactive environment that draws attendees into the experience. Through friendly competitions or challenges, participants become more than passive spectators. They’re actively part of the event which boosts their engagement level.

Sure, not everyone has the same competitive streak but that’s where rewards come into play. Who doesn’t love getting acknowledged for their efforts? A points system or a leaderboard is a fantastic way to recognize champions and give everyone else something to strive for.

Every badge they earn, every point they score, increases their emotional investment in your event, making it unforgettable and bringing them back for more. And isn’t that the real magic of gamification?

But let’s not forget that games are also a great way to encourage social interaction. Attendees aren’t just competing with each other – they’re connecting. And creating these opportunities for genuine engagement can have lasting benefits for your event and your audience.

So let’s not see event gamification with an event app as a trend. It’s a powerful tool that’s here to stay.

 

How to Gamify Your Event App ?

  1. Analyze your audience – To create a tailor-made gaming experience, you’ve got to know who your attendees are as well as what gets them thrilled. You can base this on age, individual preferences, or professional interests but do not make assumptions!
  2. Incorporate interactive games – This is where the real fun begins! From quizzes, to scavenger hunts, the possibilities are endless. Nunify is an example of a platform that offers built-in games to keep attendees engaged and amused. Imagine designing your own challenges similar to how Nunify suggests for e-learning.
  3. Point systems and badges – You attendees love rewards and recognition–it’s human nature. Assign points for participation and manifest achievement with badges. Let attendees see how they stack up against each other and foster a sense of friendly competition.
  4. Rewards – Your rewards will need to come in two flavors: tangible and intangible. On one hand, there are tangible goodies like gift cards, cool merch, VIP passes, or event discounts – real, hold-in-your-hand treats. On the other, we have intangible rewards: those digital high-fives such as badges, points, or leaderboard fame.
  5. Maintain a balance! While gamification can be an incredible tool, don’t let it eclipse the main purpose of your event. It’s about adding value, not distracting from it. Gamification is supposed to facilitate networking and boost knowledge retention simultaneously.
  6. Create uniqueness! Who doesn’t want their event to stand out? By providing a fun digital experience, attendees can enjoy while gaining knowledge and connecting with others.

 

Case Studies: Successful Gamification in Event Apps

Are you considering gamification for your event app? Good move! Let’s look at a few inspiring case studies that show gamification done right.

Event App Gamification – Case Study 1

An event app that lets you gamify employee engagement

Ever thought about turning your regular employee meet-ups into something out of a video game? Well, with the right event app, you can! Gamifying employee engagement isn’t just about fun and games; it’s a clever way to spark enthusiasm, boost interaction, and bring a fresh zest to team dynamics.

Tailor the gamification elements to fit your team’s culture. Whether it’s celebrating creativity, punctuality, or problem-solving skills, align the game mechanics with your company’s values and goals.

Event App Gamification – Case Study 2

Gamification that creates scavenger hunt maps for outdoor activities!

This one’s specially designed with event professionals in mind.

Gamification has the power to transform outdoor activities into interactive event experiences. Imagine integrating the concept of a scavenger hunt with your event app. This fusion creates a unique and immersive adventure where participants use digital maps to uncover hidden treasures and solve challenges.

Using scavenger hunt games would allow seamless navigation and efficient information change management at large-scale events. Imagine guiding your attendees around effortlessly, providing them with real-time updates. Truly, an event planner’s dream!

Event App Gamification – Case Study 3

Gamification in Trade Shows

As an event organizer, imagine turning your trade show into an interactive playground for visitors.

Here’s how it works:

  • You set up a game within the event app that rewards visitors for engaging with exhibitors.
  • Each booth becomes a checkpoint.
  • Visitors earn points for activities like checking in, engaging with a product demo, or collecting information.
  • Exhibitors can give boosts for interactions with visitors which are better qualified
  • Visitors can redeem points for goodies

Your goal is to make the trade show more than just booths and business cards. Incorporating QR codes at exhibitor stands adds a fun twist. Visitors scan to earn points, while also learning about exhibitor offerings. This approach motivates attendees to explore more booths, benefiting both visitors and exhibitors

 

Implementing Gamification in Event Apps: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 – Establish your end goal. Are you looking to amp up attendee involvement? Bringing more footfall to your exhibitors? Maybe your aim’s all about bolstering sponsor engagement. Either way, identifying your primary aim is your first step in the right direction.

Step 2 – Choose a suitable Event app. Once you’ve locked on your target, the game is on! For example, consider something like Nunify. It packs a pleasurable punch with its customizable, user-friendly interface and comprehensive gamification features. It’s created with events in mind. In other words, it won’t distract from the real-world goings-on but will enhance your attendees’ engagement!

Step 3 – Creating fun, rewarding challenges is the name of the game! Picture this: attendees earning points for meaningful interactions, session attendance, visiting your exhibitors. Plus, with a posted leaderboard, you’ll have ’em eating out of your hand as they plunge headfirst into friendly competition.

For a conference, consider trivia quizzes related to speakers or topics. For trade shows, you might use a digital passport that gets stamped at each booth visit. Ensure these features align with the event’s theme and objectives.

Step 4 – Integrate with Event Content and Exhibitors

Link gamification to your event’s content. For example, offer points for attending keynote speeches or participating in workshops. Collaborate with exhibitors to include their products in your game, which can drive attendee traffic to their booths.

Step 5 – Develop a Clear Reward System

Decide on the rewards for participation. This could be anything from exclusive content access to physical merchandise or special recognitions. Make sure the rewards are enticing enough to motivate participation.

Step 6 – Communicate Clearly with Attendees Before the event, inform attendees about the gamification aspect. Explain how it works, the benefits of participating, and how they can track their progress.

 

Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Gamifying Event Apps

Woah there! The journey into event gamification is thrilling but there’s also potential stumbling blocks to avoid. So let’s get right into it!

First up, watch out for outlining vague goals. Remember how we talked about establishing your end goal from the start? Become best friends with detail! Know whether you’re after increasing attendee enjoyment or driving traffic to exhibitors. Having clear, well-defined goals will keep your event gamification strategy on track!

Then we have the wrong tool selection. It’s simple! The right tools make a world of difference to your event’s success. So dig deep into your research and choose wisely.

Let’s chat about designing overly complicated challenges. Everybody loves a good challenge. But… they also love rewards for their efforts! Keep challenges fun, rewarding and most importantly, achievable! You don’t want to end up with frustrated attendees, do you?

And lastly, ignoring the need for adaptability! Whether your event is in-person, hybrid or fully virtual – your selected gamification app should be a universal fit.

 

Measuring the Success of Gamification

So, you’ve made it! You’ve navigated the tricky waters of gamifying your event app, and now it’s time to sit back and watch the magic unfold. Remember, it’s all about engagement and interaction. If your attendees are buzzing with excitement, you’ve hit the jackpot!

But don’t forget to measure your success. Are attendees completing challenges? Are they interacting more? If the answers are ‘Yes’, then you’ve nailed it!

Remember, it’s not just about implementing gamification – it’s about doing it right. With clear goals, the right tools, and innovative challenges, you’ve created an event experience that’s not just fun but truly unforgettable. And that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it?

So here’s to you, the game-changing event planner! Keep pushing those boundaries, keep innovating, and keep making those events something to remember!

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