Food can connect us.
Food can push us out of our comfort zone.
Food can energize us.
Food can create memorable experiences.
But food can also isolate us.
It can drain us.
Heck, it can even kill us.
So when you’re crafting your attendee engagement plan, there are a few things you can plan for that will help create a sense of belonging and connection.
My food philosophy is:
Something people want
Something people need
Something surprising
Something people want.
First and foremost, don’t cut the F&B budget first. Far too often, when the event gets close and the numbers are running high, we look at the F&B lines and start to cut back. Maybe we don’t need coffee all day. Maybe we can pair back the afternoon snack to just a trail mix bar.
Perhaps we can just get away with bagels on the breakfast buffet. Instead, map out the agenda and the attendees’ energy levels throughout the day and match the offerings to their needs. Early morning coffee is a must-have, but maybe instead of all day coffee at $200/gallon, you could do smoothie shots at mid-day and have a pay-for-it-yourself coffee cart.
And if you load your attendees up with all carbs for breakfast, they’re going to tank by lunch, so decide what’s more important: the budget or your attendees’ ability to focus on the content at your event.
Something people need.
Be aware of and alert to attendees’ food allergies. It’s not super difficult to menu plan for low-carb, high protein, gluten-free, lactose-free, vegetable-rich, shellfish-free options that everyone can enjoy, and then manage the special requests for Kosher and other needs.
Trust me your chef can do something amazing.
The fastest way to engage your attendees is to make sure they have something they can eat without dying.
Something surprising.
But instead of just putting this on a buffet, imagine serving it family style. Now you allow your attendees to share, serve each other, and break bread together, giving them an opportunity to connect and create conversation, rather than sit politely and make small-talk with their pre-plated salad and cheesecake. Your meal feels more like a dinner party at each 72” round than an awkward forced-conversation zone.
Here's a few more fun “surprising” ideas:
What if you reevaluated your breaks and added some surprise elements like a crepe bar for the afternoon snack?
Or what if you put the gelato break at 11am along with a yogurt parfait option?
Or what about for your afternoon cheese cube and charcuterie, you ratcheted up the networking component by adding toothpicks with conversation starter flags on them?
How are you using food as a strategic connection tactic at your events?
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