One way to increase interaction among people at events is to incorporate gamification. (Photo Credit: fizkes/Getty Images)If you are an event planner and want to make your events more interesting and engaging, consider gamification.
Gamification is the application of game mechanics to non-game contexts.
"Events have a common purpose - to promote engagement and interaction," said Kenny Goh, founder and mentor, MICE Neurol during his talk at ITB Asia 2018.
He went on to explain that event gamification can be applied using a mobile app where organisers can incorporate game mechanics to improve the quality and effectiveness of their event and drive participation, engagement and experience.
A gamified event has a storyline to keep participants engaged throughout the event, as well as a rewards system that gives a sense of accomplishment.
To execute a gamification project, he says that there should be several checkpoints from developing a storyboard and deciding on trigger points for rewards to setting up a form of transient gratification and finally testing the system.
In a case study of an event that the company did for Singapore's Ministry of Social and Family Development, Goh implemented a treasure hunt-type of competition to encourage competitiveness and introduced a points system to reward participants.
The top three scorers and those who scored lower were also rewarded with different tiers of prizes.
"Gamification comes alive with prizes and recognition," said Goh.