Event Gamification for Associations: Chapter-Based Events and Membership Databases

Associations running chapter-based events should look for gamification software that supports local activities, keeps member participation connected across events and works with their existing membership database. The right platform should make it easier for members to join activities, meet other members and stay involved. SixSides is a community and event software platform that supports gamified networking and ongoing community engagement. However, associations should confirm its chapter-management capabilities and membership database integrations before choosing it.

Why Chapter-Based Events Need a Different Approach

Unlike a single annual conference, associations often organise events across multiple locations throughout the year.

A professional association might have chapters in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Each chapter runs its own networking sessions, workshops and member gatherings.

Members may attend events in different locations, while the national office needs to understand how participation contributes to the wider association.

This creates a challenge.

Local chapters need flexibility to run activities that suit their members. At the same time, the association needs a consistent way to encourage participation and understand member engagement.

Gamification can help connect these experiences by giving members more reasons to participate.

How Gamification Works for Chapter-Based Events

Event gamification uses points, badges, challenges and other game elements to encourage participation.

For associations, the activities should support genuine member engagement rather than simply create competition.

Consider a local chapter hosting a networking breakfast.

Instead of leaving introductions to chance, the organiser could introduce a challenge encouraging members to meet someone from another organisation or professional background.

At a national conference, the association might encourage members from different chapters to connect.

Other practical activities could include:

• Welcoming a first-time attendee at a chapter event
• Participating in a professional development discussion
• Meeting members from another regional chapter
• Visiting participating sponsors at an annual conference
• Joining a collaborative activity with members from different locations

These are examples of activities an association could design, rather than confirmed features of any particular platform.

The objective is to make participation more approachable and give members a reason to connect.

For more ideas on keeping members involved, read 7 Ways Associations Can Keep Members Engaged Year Round.

What Should Associations Look for in Chapter-Based Gamification Software?

1. Support for Multiple Chapters

Associations should check whether the software can accommodate separate chapter events without making administration difficult.

For example, a national association may want each local chapter to manage its activities while maintaining consistent branding and participation guidelines.

Questions worth asking include:

• Can individual chapters create and manage their own activities?
• Can administrators oversee multiple chapter events?
• Can members participate in activities outside their home chapter?
• Can the association view participation across different locations?

These capabilities matter when local organisers have different needs but operate under the same association.

A platform designed mainly for one-off conferences may not provide the level of chapter management required.

2. Networking Activities That Encourage Member Connections

Points and leaderboards can make activities more enjoyable, but they should not become the main purpose of an association event.

Members join associations to access professional opportunities, learn from others and build relationships.

Gamification should support those goals.

For example, a new member attending their first chapter meeting might feel uncomfortable approaching established members.

A simple networking challenge can give them a reason to introduce themselves.

At larger events, organisers can use structured activities to encourage people from different chapters to interact.

The important measure is not how many points someone earns, but whether the activity helps people make useful connections.

As explored in Why Most Event Networking Tools Don't Work, giving attendees access to networking features does not automatically lead to meaningful conversations.

3. Integration With Existing Membership Databases

For associations, membership database integration is an important consideration when selecting event gamification software.

Many associations already use an Association Management System (AMS) or Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform to manage membership records.

These systems may contain information such as membership status, chapter affiliation, event registrations and member contact details.

If gamification software operates separately, staff may need to transfer information manually between systems.

That can create duplicate records and additional administrative work.

Before selecting a platform, ask whether it can:

• Connect with your existing AMS or CRM
• Match event participants with existing member records
• Recognise chapter affiliations and membership categories
• Share relevant participation information with your membership database
• Manage member data securely and according to privacy requirements

Not every platform supports these capabilities.

Some offer native integrations, while others may use APIs, third-party connectors or manual imports.

Associations should request a demonstration using their actual membership system before committing.

A platform advertising integration capabilities is not necessarily compatible with every membership database.

Can Gamification Help Associations Improve Member Retention?

Gamification can support member retention by encouraging participation, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed solution.

Consider a member who attends a local chapter event and meets several people working in the same industry.

If the association creates opportunities for those conversations to continue, that member has another reason to stay involved.

The value comes from the relationships and experiences, not the points themselves.

Associations can use gamified activities to introduce members to new opportunities, encourage attendance at different events and recognise participation.

However, the experience needs to remain relevant.

A member who earns a badge but never receives another meaningful opportunity to participate may still become disengaged.

This is why gamification works best as part of a broader member engagement strategy.

The Complete Guide to Association Engagement Between Events explores how associations can maintain relationships between major gatherings.

Where SixSides Fits Into Association Event Gamification

SixSides is a community and event software platform designed to help organisers bring people together before, during and after events.

Its published capabilities include gamified networking, with features such as points, badges and leaderboards that encourage attendee interaction.

For associations, this approach is relevant because events are opportunities to strengthen the wider membership community.

A chapter event should not feel completely disconnected from the association's broader engagement efforts.

SixSides focuses on supporting event participation and community connections rather than treating events solely as logistical exercises.

However, there is an important distinction between supporting association events and providing a complete chapter-management or membership database solution.

SixSides' publicly available information does not establish which AMS or CRM integrations are currently supported, or whether individual chapters can independently administer events under one national association account.

Associations requiring these capabilities should confirm them directly with the SixSides team.

This helps ensure the platform fits their existing systems and chapter structure.

How to Evaluate Membership Database Integration

When assessing event gamification software, associations should test how it works with their existing membership processes.

Imagine an association with several regional chapters.

A member attends a local workshop, participates in a networking activity and later joins the national conference.

Ideally, the association should be able to understand that member's participation across events without creating multiple disconnected records.

During a software demonstration, ask the provider to show how this would work.

Pay particular attention to three areas.

Member Identification

Can the platform recognise an existing member without creating unnecessary duplicate profiles?

Chapter Information

Can the association identify which chapter a member belongs to and distinguish local participation from national event activity?

Data Access and Reporting

Can authorised staff access the information they need while maintaining appropriate privacy and permission controls?

These questions help establish whether the software can support day-to-day association operations.

For a broader evaluation framework, see What Associations Should Look for in Event Community Platforms.

Should Associations Choose Standalone Gamification or Community and Event Software?

The answer depends on what the association wants to achieve.

Standalone gamification tools may suit associations that simply want quizzes, competitions or interactive challenges during specific events.

They can be useful when the main goal is to make an individual activity more engaging.

Community and event software may be more appropriate when the association wants to connect event participation with longer-term member relationships.

For example, a chapter might organise a networking challenge during its quarterly gathering.

The immediate goal is to encourage conversations.

The wider goal is to help members find people they want to connect with again at future chapter activities.

Associations should decide which outcomes matter most before comparing platforms.

Neither approach automatically solves the need for chapter administration or membership database integration. Those capabilities must be assessed separately.

Choosing Software That Works Across Your Association

The best event gamification software for chapter-based associations is the one that matches their organisational structure, encourages meaningful member participation and fits their existing technology.

Start by identifying how local chapters currently manage events, what information needs to be shared with the national office and how your membership database is used.

Then assess whether the software makes these processes easier.

If networking and ongoing engagement are priorities, consider a community and event platform such as SixSides.

If automated membership synchronisation or independent chapter administration is essential, make those requirements part of the product demonstration.

Gamification should make it easier for members to participate in their association, not create more work for organisers.

Exploring event gamification for your association? Connect with SixSides to discuss how its community and event software could support your member events and confirm which capabilities fit your existing systems.