Are you planning your company conference on collaboration as the theme? Unsure where to start with the agenda to bring it to life?
Here are some suggestions from our team based on combined decades of corporate venue finding and event management experience.
Mark Dixon, Client Services Director, says: “If your goal is to encourage your attendees to work together to tackle common issues, then you need more than a staged panel session. There are multiple opportunities to showcase inspiration while getting your teams to do the thinking in a way that also motivates change.”
Conference on collaboration – agenda ideas
Workshops
Niamh Waters, Bien Venue Meetings and Events Executive, says: “Interactive workshop sessions are a fantastic way to engage your delegates. You could introduce these as breakout sessions from the main conference, during which your teams tackle real-world problems and present their solutions to the group. This often sparks creativity while promoting collaborative problem-solving.”
Mark adds, “Skill-sharing workshops are another great option. Encouraging employees to share their unique skills and knowledge with a wider team encourages a culture of continuous learning and teamwork. It’s amazing how much people can learn from each other in these settings where you actively invite them to collaborate.”
Team building
Steve Perkins, Managing Director at GOTO Events, explains: “Charity team building activities are always a hit at conferences. They create a feel-good factor that unites everyone around a worthy cause and inspires genuine collaboration. To top it off, the impact goes beyond the event, directly helping the local community. It’s a meaningful, memorable experience that leaves everyone feeling connected and accomplished.”
Mark adds, “Collaborative art projects are another fun and effective team building activity. Creating a collective art piece representing your company’s vision and values can be a unifying experience for attendees that leaves a lasting memory with the resulting artwork.”
Speakers
Sam Rourke, Bien Venue Client Services Manager, notes: “Inviting speakers who have successfully led collaborative projects to share their insights and experiences can be super motivating, especially if it’s someone with a public profile. Public doesn’t have to mean too expensive either – we work with companies who can source speakers to fit your message and your budget!
“Inspirational keynote talks can really lift a room and help set the tone for your conference.”
Mark suggests: “Motivational sessions that highlight the benefits of working together towards common goals can also be very impactful. These talks can inspire teamwork and reinforce the theme of the conference.”
Panel session
While staged expert panels and Q&As aren’t the only tool in your kit for a conference, don’t overlook them. They remain an important part of conferences, as Mark confirms below…
“Expert panels can be incredibly valuable. Hosting discussions with industry leaders on the importance of collaboration in achieving business success can provide your employees with new perspectives.”
“Firstly, panels can introduce your employees to some of your leadership team members who rarely have the opportunity to interact with your broader employee base. Secondly, you can use panel sessions to invite particularly engaging suppliers or business partners to speak. This opens opportunities to widen collaborative relationships beyond the conference itself.”
Sam adds: “Featuring panels with employees from different departments sharing their success stories or insight into overcoming challenges is a great way to showcase tangible benefits of collaboration. I’ve seen this work well for company roadshows, for those who run them in place of the traditional conference.
Q&A tech
Kerry Edwards, Bien Venue managing Director, advises: “Using interactive tools like live polls, Q&A sessions, and even quizzes and word clouds can engage your delegates in real-time discussions and feedback. This technology can make sessions more interactive and ensure everyone’s voice is heard—perfect for a conference on collaboration.”
“Implementing collaboration platforms that allow participants to collaborate before, during, and after the event can enhance the overall experience. These platforms can facilitate ongoing communication and idea-sharing among attendees.”
Roundtable session/dinner
Niamh suggests: “Arranging themed roundtable discussions can promote in-depth conversations and networking. The discussions can help your employees connect with other teams who share inter-related challenges but don’t meet in day-to-day business operations.”
Mark adds: “Hosting team dinners that mix employees from different departments is also a great way to begin and nurture new connections and relationships across a business. These informal settings can lead to meaningful conversations and relationships.”
Are you ready to bring your company conference to life?
Our team of Bien Venue experts can help you create a memorable and beneficial event to meet your goals, whatever your theme. From sourcing, negotiating, and contracting the perfect venue to suite your agenda. With break out spaces etc – to full event planning management or just on-site support.