How to Get a Group Excited Before an Event

I’ve been in the events world for a long time – 15 years now, the last 10 of which have been specifically with group bonding and corporate entertainment activities in New York City. As you can guess, I’ve created a LOT of events in that time, ranging from small, informal gatherings to massive, full-blown affairs.

In my line of work – creating customized trivia team building competitions for the office in NYC and beyond – the most fun and rewarding experiences are those in which the group is fired up. This isn’t always the case, especially if it’s a work event and attendance is compulsory. But when it IS the case, it’s magic.

Take for example Fordham University. For the past few years, I have had the honor of personally hosting a trivia night as part of their new student orientation leaders’ training week, right before the new semester begins and the freshmen arrive on campus. I have to admit, it’s one of my absolute favorite events to be a part of. I mean, just look at this crowd:

It’s time for #Fordham @Orient_RH trivia night 2015! Think they’re pumped?? Cc: @fordhamnotes pic.twitter.com/EL5SKGGo55

— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) August 26, 2015

That’s 200 raucous, completely psyched attendees – BEFORE the event even begins! Don’t you wish your crowd was like this at the kickoff of EVERY function?

Well, I sure do – and I know I’m not alone. It’s not uncommon for my clients with scheduled dates to call me up, asking: “how can I get people excited about this?” Fortunately, and I’ve taken notes at both the Fordham gigs as well as every other rambunctious show I do, to try and glean the secrets to getting an audience jazzed prior to Game Day.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• 1.     Break Them Into Teams in Advance – Whenever possible, for competitive office group ideas I advocate dividing a larger group into smaller teams prior to the event, versus at the engagement itself. Not only will doing so save valuable time and aggravation for the planner (as well as the guests), but it will give them a chance to bond and start generating team spirit – as well as some good-natured rivalry, which they can show up with when it’s time to play

• 2.     Give Them Something to Feel Proud About – Squad pride goes a long way here, an anything you can do to foster a friendly sense of “us vs. them” will help promote an extremely enjoyable charged atmosphere. Some examples include creating team T-shirts, signs, slogans and/or cheers. But anything, really – just so that they’re not walking into the room cold.

• 3.     Offer Teaser Challenges Beforehand – Whatever activity you’ve got planned for them – be it what I do, or a scavenger hunt, cooking class, boat race, log cabin building or whatever – give them a taste of what’s to come in the weeks or days leading up to the big day. Be creative, and keep it simple – but by planting this seed, you are not-so-subtly getting them charged for what’s to come, and putting them into the right mindset to have a blast when the time comes.

• 4.     Lay the Smack Down – Sorry I don’t have a more elegant way to phrase this, but it is what it is; if your entertainment is a team contest and you want them to be pumped up upon arrival, you MUST let the trash talking flow. Within reason, of course, and ALWAYS in a affable, tongue-in-cheek manner. But yes – let the groups build camaraderie between one another by engaging in some fun, playful teasing. But again, keep it in check – don’t let it cross the line. You don’t want to inadvertently offend anybody in what’s ultimately supposed to be an event to improve teamwork, boost spirits and lift morale.

• 5.     Let Them Know What’s At Stake – I have learned in my years of doing this that people are very competitive; even those of us who by nature AREN’T fiercely cutthroat by nature (including yours truly) can go all gung-ho if the moment calls for it. A perfect way to get folks into this head space sooner than when they arrive is to let them know what is up for grabs, be it a prize, prestige, or simply being crowned The Champions. If they know exactly what it is that could be theirs to claim – provided it’s actually worth getting excited about – they will definitely get more jazzed about what’s to come.

Is this a guarantee for success? Of course not. Keep in mind that every audience is different, as well as every group’s culture and dynamics. While I would be overjoyed if each and every one of the events I produce is attended by people as wound up as Fordham’s students, the reality is that there is a ceiling to how much exhilaration you can expect from ANY activity. This is doubly so in the working world, as people are often coming to these types of functions after a long day in the office, are distracted by any number of business/personal stresses, and are exhausted from kids, commutes, and just life in general.

Some groups are just generally unhappy, and there is really little you or I can do to get them pepped up beforehand; you just roll with it, and hope that they enjoy the experience once it’s happening – and more often than not, they will. I wish I had an answer for how to make truly miserable groups of grumps all thrilled about ANYTHING, even what’s supposed to be a fun and social experience. If you have any ideas or ways which are proven to do so, please let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments section below, because I’d certainly like to use them/share them with my clients!

But in the meantime, try these steps – even if just one or two of them, and I guarantee you will see a noticeable uptick in interest, enthusiasm and engagement once the fest is underway. They’ll be much happier from the advance effort which has been put forth – and so will you!

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