Building Community Before, During, & After Your Event

Fostering a strong community is one of the most powerful ways to increase engagement, loyalty, and the overall impact of your events. When attendees feel a genuine sense of connection, your event becomes much more than a one-time gathering—it becomes a catalyst for ongoing relationships and shared purpose. Here are actionable strategies to help you build a vibrant community before, during, and after your event.

Before the Event: Laying the Foundations

• Facilitate Early Interaction

  • Launch a dedicated online community platform, forum, or social media group for registrants.

  • Encourage introductions, topic discussions, and questions ahead of time.

  • Share event teasers—such as speaker profiles, behind-the-scenes content, and discussion prompts—to generate buzz.

• Personalized Communications

  • Segment your audience by interests or experience level to send tailored emails or content.

  • Use surveys to understand attendee expectations and adjust your programming.

• Pre-Event Networking Opportunities

  • Offer pre-event webinars, meet-and-greets, or virtual coffee chats so attendees start making connections early.

During the Event: Cultivating Genuine Connections

• Interactive and Social Programming

  • Incorporate facilitated networking sessions, roundtable discussions, or group activities.

  • Use event apps or online platforms with chat features, virtual lounges, or topic-based channels to encourage interaction.

• Encouraging Participation

  • Introduce icebreakers, live polls, and Q&A sessions to help people share their voices.

  • Gamify engagement (e.g., scavenger hunts, reward points, or digital badges for participation).

• On-Site Experience

  • Set up community spaces—such as lounges, wellness zones, or collaboration walls—where attendees can meet and connect.

  • Highlight attendee-generated content—like live social posts, event hashtags, or photo streams—to foster a sense of inclusion.

After the Event: Sustaining and Growing the Community

• Keep the Conversation Going

  • Share post-event recaps, highlight reels, and materials from sessions to keep momentum alive.

  • Continue hosting virtual meetups, discussion threads, or follow-up webinars.

• Solicit Feedback and Ideas

  • Survey attendees about their experience and invite their input for future events.

  • Incorporate user-generated content or community suggestions into upcoming programming, making members feel valued.

• Offer Ongoing Value

  • Maintain an active online group with industry news, exclusive content, and networking opportunities.

  • Support collaboration on shared projects or community-driven initiatives between events.

Practical Tips for Building Lasting Community

• Be authentic and approachable in all messaging.

• Empower attendees to forge their own connections and take on leadership roles within the group.

• Recognize and celebrate member achievements regularly.

• Remain adaptable—listen to feedback and evolve your community strategy as needs shift.

A strong community transforms your event into an ongoing source of value, connection, and growth. By nurturing relationships before, during, and after your event, you lay the groundwork for higher engagement, stronger brand loyalty, and a vibrant network that keeps participants coming back year after year.