Why is creating an “experience” so important anyway?
We remember experiences. Studies have shown that we are more likely to recall information when it is attached to a sense, whether it’s touch, sight, smell, taste, or sound. We all know what it’s like when a certain smell or song sends us right back in time to memory from our childhood or past event in our lives. So what better way to create a creative meeting experience than to include one of our five senses?
Here are three out-of-the-box meeting ideas that will create a memorable experience:
Encourage Doodling & Play
Creating a playful environment is one way to generate a memorable experience. Not many meetings include hands-on materials like play dough, crayons, markers, construction paper, and pipe cleaners on the conference table. Go ahead…encourage your team to doodle during your meeting and watch their reactions.
By simply allowing “play” and “doodling” during your next meeting your team has the potential to retain up to 30% more information presented. Don’t believe me? Check out this article and book by Sunni Brown. She is a doodle expert!
Provide Food, Food, and more Food
Smells are one of the strongest senses tied to memory, so food can be key to a memorable experience. Plus, it’s the best part of the meeting, right? Now, a plain deli tray may not awaken our senses, but a hot Korean BBQ bowl with sautéed veggies, colorful toppings and a variety of sauces is another story. It’s making me hungry just typing it up!
Food bowls are very trendy right now and the presentation is amazing so try one at your next meeting. Read our blog post on current food trends that you can serve at your next meeting!
Participate in a Team Bonding Activity
This is an easy one. No matter what team bonding experience you choose whether you’re volunteering, taking a food tour, or bowling, your team is likely to remember this type of event. Especially since they’ll be engaging all their senses.
If you’re looking for ideas for conference activities, we have several options here at sparkspace including our summer exclusive with Kingmakers. Kingmakers is a board game parlor with game “sommeliers.” We also have our escape room (pictured above) and our North Market Foodie Adventure. For more information on our team bonding experiences click here.