Creative Ice Breaker Ideas for In-Person Events

As we return to in-person work, meetings, and events, many of us are finding these settings to be a little…awkward.?From greeting one another (are handshakes still a thing?) to face-to-face conversations (no turning off video IRL), we’re all figuring out what being back together looks and feels like. Luckily, a thoughtful ice breaker activity can help put attendees at ease and jumpstart conversations and collaboration. At Ink Factory, our artist team has facilitated all kinds of creative warm-up exercises for groups of every size. Here, we’ve rounded up our favorite ice breaker ideas for meetings. Some are easier to execute with an artist on hand (we can help!), while others you can simply DIY.

1. Engagement Board

This activation helps attendees interact with an event’s theme or purpose in a meaningful way. It’s a great conversation starter so utilize it in high-traffic areas for maximum impact. You’ll want at least one artist, possibly more depending on the size and scale of the installation.

How it Works:

Ink Factory designs and installs a whiteboard or wall at your meeting or event site. Typically, in an open area where attendees can easily see and engage with it.

The engagement board features one or a series of questions you’d like attendees to answer. An artist team of visual note-takers (aka, graphic recorders) manages the engagement board, inviting attendees to share their answers. The artists then illustrate these responses.

Attendees can share answers verbally, or write them down. When the event wraps, the illustration can be digitized and shared.

The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago utilized an?engagement board?at its annual fundraising event, which focused on increasing zero-waste practices. Ink Factory designed the wall using recycled materials, then posed questions to guests and illustrated their answers.

“The live notes installation was a beautiful addition to the event, and helped our guests to engage with the event’s theme around sustainability in a meaningful and interactive manner,” said Melissa Sommer, Corporate Partnerships at Shedd Aquarium.

Interested in our other icebreaker activities? Check them out here!