How to Choose Event Gamification Software for Conferences

Event organisers should choose gamification software based on how well it encourages attendee participation, supports meaningful networking and fits into the conference experience. The best option is not necessarily the one with the most games or rewards. It is the one that makes it easier for attendees to meet new people, take part in activities and stay involved throughout the event.

For conferences where networking is a priority, look for software that combines simple challenges, connection-based activities and an easy-to-use attendee experience.

What Is Event Gamification Software?

Event gamification software uses game elements such as points, challenges, badges and leaderboards to encourage people to participate in conference activities.

Instead of simply attending presentations and moving between sessions, attendees have opportunities to get involved.

For example, an organiser might create a networking challenge where attendees earn points for introducing themselves to someone new. Another challenge might encourage participants to visit different exhibition areas or join a group discussion.

The idea is to make activities that already matter to the event more engaging.

However, adding games does not automatically improve participation. The activities need to give attendees a reason to take part.

1. Start With What You Want Attendees to Do

Before comparing software, identify the participation problems you want to solve.

Perhaps attendees are arriving at your conference but rarely speaking to people outside their existing networks. Maybe exhibition stands are receiving limited attention, or networking sessions are not attracting enough participation.

Each situation calls for a different approach.

If your main concern is networking, prioritise gamification tools that encourage introductions and conversations.

If you want more attendees to explore the exhibition area, look for challenges that guide them towards exhibitors.

If your goal is session participation, consider interactive quizzes or activities connected to presentations.

Choose the activity first, then find the software that supports it.

This approach also helps you avoid paying for features that attendees are unlikely to use.

2. Prioritise Networking Over Collecting Points

Leaderboards can make conferences more entertaining, but a high score does not always mean someone has made a valuable connection.

Imagine an attendee completing ten challenges without speaking to another person. They might enjoy the game, but the organiser has missed an opportunity to improve networking.

Now consider a challenge that encourages attendees to introduce themselves to someone working in a different industry.

That simple activity creates a reason to start a conversation.

When comparing event gamification software, consider whether it supports challenges that encourage real interactions rather than simply rewarding clicks or check-ins.

Networking should feel natural. Attendees should leave with useful conversations and new contacts, not just a place on a leaderboard.

For more on designing event technology around meaningful outcomes, read Event Technology Should Start With Outcomes, Not Features.

3. Choose Software That Is Easy to Use During a Busy Conference

Attendees are already juggling presentations, meeting schedules and conversations.

They do not want to spend several minutes figuring out how to join a game.

Good conference gamification should be easy to understand from the first interaction.

Before choosing a platform, test how quickly an attendee can open a challenge, understand the instructions and participate.

Consider these questions:

• Can attendees understand the game without a lengthy explanation?
• Are the challenges easy to complete while moving around the venue?
• Can participants check their progress without interrupting their conference experience?
• Does the software work well on mobile devices?
• Can organisers manage activities without adding unnecessary work for their team?

A complicated experience can discourage participation, even when the idea behind the game is good.

This is especially important for conferences with attendees who have different levels of confidence using event technology.

As discussed in If Your Event App Feels Like Work, It Won't Work, technology should make participating easier, not create another task.

4. Look for Gamification That Supports the Whole Event Experience

Some gamification tools focus on standalone quizzes, competitions or prize draws.

These can work well for short activities, particularly during presentations or breaks.

However, conferences focused on networking and community may need something that connects those activities to the wider attendee experience.

For example, an organiser could introduce a networking challenge before the opening session, encourage attendees to participate throughout the day and give them opportunities to continue conversations after the event.

When evaluating software, consider how gamification connects with the event programme, attendee networking and community activities.

This is where community and event software such as SixSides fits.

SixSides brings event networking, gamification and community engagement into one platform. Its networking gamification includes points, badges and leaderboards that encourage attendees to meet new people.

Rather than treating participation as a separate game, organisers can use these features as part of the broader conference experience.

For associations running multiple events, this also connects to a bigger goal: helping members build relationships that continue beyond a single conference.

5. Consider How Gamification Can Support Sponsors

Sponsors want attendees to engage with their organisations, not simply walk past their logos.

Gamification can help create opportunities for those interactions.

For example, organisers might introduce an exhibition challenge that encourages attendees to visit participating sponsor stands and learn about their services.

However, the challenge should have a purpose beyond collecting points.

An attendee visiting a sponsor stand to ask a relevant question is potentially more valuable than someone visiting only to complete a task.

When reviewing software, ask how easily organisers can build sponsor-related activities into the conference.

Also consider what participation information the platform can provide and whether it helps sponsors understand the outcomes of their involvement.

The objective should be to create useful interactions for attendees and sponsors alike.

6. Make Sure You Can Measure Participation

A successful gamification activity should give organisers more information than simply who won.

Before choosing software, decide what you want to measure.

Depending on the platform, useful measures might include challenge participation, completed activities, networking interactions and engagement with sponsor-related challenges.

These measures help organisers understand which activities attracted interest and where attendees may have needed more encouragement.

For example, if a networking challenge receives strong participation while another activity attracts very little interest, that gives the team something useful to consider when planning the next conference.

Remember that completing a challenge is not the same as building a meaningful relationship.

Use participation data alongside attendee feedback to understand whether the activity genuinely improved the event experience.

7. Compare Software Based on Your Conference Needs

Different types of gamification software serve different purposes

There is no single platform that will suit every conference.

A small educational seminar may only need a simple quiz tool.

A large association conference focused on member engagement, networking and long-term relationships may benefit from a more connected approach.

The important thing is to match the software to the behaviour you want to encourage.

Which Event Gamification Software Is Best for Networking?

For networking-focused conferences, software that rewards meaningful interactions and fits naturally into the attendee experience is generally the strongest choice.

Look for features that help people start conversations, participate in group activities and connect with attendees outside their usual circles.

SixSides is one option worth considering for organisers who want networking gamification alongside their wider event and community activities.

Its approach is centred on creating opportunities for people to connect before, during and after events, rather than focusing only on activities during the conference itself.

The best way to assess any platform is to test it against a realistic conference scenario.

For example, ask the provider to demonstrate how a first-time attendee could discover a networking challenge, take part and connect with someone new.

That will tell you more about the attendee experience than a long list of features.

Make Gamification Part of the Experience, Not a Distraction

Gamification works best when it encourages activities that make a conference worthwhile.

A simple challenge that helps two attendees start a conversation can offer more value than a complicated competition that attracts attention but creates little interaction.

For organisers, the priority should be clear: choose technology that makes participation easier and gives people more reasons to connect.

At SixSides, we see gamification as part of a broader community and event experience. The aim is to help organisers turn conference attendance into meaningful participation and ongoing connections.

If you're exploring ways to bring networking, gamification and community engagement together, book a demo with SixSides to see how the platform could fit your next event.