How can you encourage attendees to ask questions during conference sessions?

1 Set the expectations

Before the conference starts, communicate clearly with your attendees and speakers about the format and goals of the sessions. Let them know how much time will be allocated for questions, how they can submit them (e.g., via microphone, chat, app, etc.), and what kind of questions are welcome. You can also ask your speakers to prepare some prompts or icebreakers to kick off the Q&A session and to invite feedback from the audience throughout their presentation.

2 Use technology

Technology can be a great ally to facilitate questions and interactions during conference sessions. You can use tools like polls, surveys, quizzes, or gamification to generate interest and engagement among your attendees. You can also use platforms like Slido, Mentimeter, or Kahoot to collect and display questions from the audience in real time, and to allow them to upvote or comment on the ones they find most relevant or interesting.

4 Mix up the formats

Another way to encourage questions is to vary the formats and styles of your conference sessions. Instead of sticking to the traditional lecture or panel format, you can experiment with different formats that foster more dialogue and participation, such as workshops, roundtables, debates, or fireside chats. You can also invite speakers from different backgrounds, perspectives, or industries to share their insights and experiences, and to challenge or complement each other's views.

5 Follow up and follow through

Finally, you can encourage questions by following up and following through after the conference sessions. You can send a summary or a recording of the session to your attendees, along with a list of the questions that were asked and answered, and some additional resources or references for further learning. You can also invite your attendees to continue the conversation on social media, email, or online forums, and to share their feedback, opinions, or suggestions. You can also ask your speakers to respond to any unanswered or new questions that may arise after the session.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?