When I work with clients on events across Asia-Pacific, one of the first things we discuss is how to keep delegates engaged. In Europe or the US, engagement can feel more straightforward — people are used to networking and interacting openly. In APAC, however, engagement styles are influenced by culture, expectations, and technology, which means you need a tailored approach.
Here’s how I recommend building delegate engagement into every stage of the journey, from the moment people register to the moment you collect their feedback.
Make Registration Seamless
First impressions matter. If registration is clunky, delegates start the event on the wrong note. In APAC, QR-based check-ins, mobile passes, and multilingual platforms are becoming the standard. At a recent conference in Singapore, we reduced check-in time from 10 minutes to under two with a QR-based system linked directly to the client’s CRM. Delegates appreciated the efficiency, and it set a professional tone right from the start.
Adapt Engagement to Local Culture
Engagement isn’t one-size-fits-all. In Japan and Korea, delegates may be less inclined to ask questions in open sessions, so structured workshops or guided networking can work better. In Thailand, informal hospitality makes people more relaxed and likely to interact. I’ve seen events in Tokyo fall flat because planners expected US-style networking — when simply adjusting the format would have encouraged much stronger connections.
Use Technology to Drive Interaction
APAC delegates are highly tech-savvy, and event apps, live polling, and digital Q&A tools are excellent ways to encourage participation. At an incentive program in Bali, we used a mobile app for daily challenges and voting — it added a sense of fun competition and kept delegates engaged even outside formal sessions.
Keep Engagement Going Between Sessions
Breaks and downtime can be just as important as the main program. Curating meaningful activities — cultural demonstrations, wellness moments, or guided tours — can deepen engagement. For a Sydney leadership summit, I recommended integrating a short mindfulness session between workshops. Delegates came back refreshed and ready to contribute.
Collect Feedback Immediately
Feedback is part of engagement. If you wait days or weeks after the event, responses drop sharply. In APAC, where delegates are used to mobile-first experiences, QR-based surveys or app notifications right after a session work best. For a Bangkok sales kickoff, we achieved a 90% response rate simply by embedding live feedback into the event app.
Final Thoughts
Engagement in APAC events isn’t about copying what works elsewhere — it’s about understanding local expectations, using the right technology, and weaving interaction into every stage of the delegate journey.
From a seamless registration to thoughtful cultural touches and quick feedback loops, the most successful events are the ones where delegates feel seen, involved, and valued throughout.
