Intro: Why “In‑Between” Time Matters as Much as the Keynotes
As an event planner, you already know the importance of lining up powerful speakers, thought‑provoking panels, and valuable breakout sessions. But here’s the secret the best planners understand: What happens between sessions can make or break the entire conference experience.
When attendees head into breaks or transitions, you have two options:
- Let the energy dip while people stare at their phones, or
- Fill that time with moments that recharge, reconnect, and reignite the room’s enthusiasm.
The second option doesn’t just keep people engaged—it improves networking, boosts attendee satisfaction, and even increases retention for your core content.
Over my years performing comedy mentalism at conferences across North America, I’ve seen how “in-between” moments can transform a standard event into an unforgettable one. In this article, I’ll walk you through a detailed plan to keep your guests buzzing between sessions—with proven techniques you can adapt to your own agenda.
1. Understand the Conference Energy Curve
Every conference has a natural rhythm. Energy typically starts high during the opening session, dips mid‑morning, spikes again before lunch, then plummets in the early afternoon.
Your goal: Plan energizers at the lowest points in the curve.
Common low points to target:
- After a heavy technical presentation
- Immediately after lunch (a.k.a. “the graveyard slot”)
- Late in the afternoon when the day is winding down
By placing intentional engagement activities in these slots, you’ll keep your audience present, awake, and happy.
2. Make Breaks Feel Like Mini‑Events
Most conference breaks are wasted opportunities. Coffee, pastries, and small talk are fine—but why not turn that 20 minutes into a memory?
Ideas for mini‑event breaks:
- Pop‑Up Performances – Have a performer (like a comedy mentalist 😉) appear in the lounge or coffee area, interacting casually with small groups. This breaks up cliques and gets strangers talking.
- Theme Stations – If your conference has a theme, set up fun themed challenges or photo ops.
- Live Polling Games – Use the conference app to run quick, funny polls attendees can vote on while mingling.
The trick is to keep it optional. Not everyone wants to engage every moment, but offering something fun ensures those who do will create positive energy for the rest.
3. Use Roaming Entertainment to Spark Conversations
One of my specialties at conferences is roaming mentalism. Instead of standing on stage, I weave through the crowd performing short, mind‑reading‑style routines for small clusters of people.
Why this works:
- It’s personal—attendees feel like they’ve had a one‑on‑one VIP experience.
- It naturally starts conversations: “How did he know that?”
- It turns waiting time into entertainment time.
Example: At a medical industry conference in Toronto, I spent a 30‑minute coffee break circulating among attendees. By the end, people were laughing together, introducing each other, and carrying the energy into the next breakout session.
4. Create Engagement Touchpoints for Sponsors
If your conference has sponsors, between‑session entertainment is a golden branding opportunity.
For example:
- Sponsor a “Surprise Mentalism Break” where I perform a short 10‑minute stage piece before a session starts, and the sponsor gets a shoutout.
- Branded mentalism props—such as predictions in envelopes with the sponsor’s logo.
Sponsors love these moments because they get remembered in the most fun part of the day.
5. Plan for Multiple Attention Styles
Not all attendees recharge the same way:
| Attendee Type | What Engages Them Between Sessions |
|---|---|
| Extroverts | Interactive entertainment, games, meet‑and‑greets |
| Introverts | Quiet viewing spots for short performances, one‑on‑one interactions |
| Social Sharers | Instagram‑worthy photo ops, surprising moments they can post |
The best between‑session plan hits all three categories.
6. Keep It Short and High‑Impact
Remember, these are breaks—not a second keynote. Your between‑session content should be punchy, memorable, and easy to join in on.
Recommended formats:
- 5–10 min stage energizer before the next session
- Roaming performer for 15–20 min in mingling areas
- Interactive game or challenge lasting 3–5 min per participant
7. Use Entertainment to Reinforce Core Messaging
One of the best parts about my work is customizing my routines so they connect directly to a conference’s theme.
Example: For a leadership summit, I performed a prediction that revealed the phrase “Vision Creates Victory”—the conference’s slogan. Attendees remembered that line because they experienced it in an unforgettable way.
When you link entertainment to your core message, you amplify both.
8. Turn Breaks Into Social Media Moments
Between sessions is when attendees are most likely to post to social. Give them something worth sharing:
- A jaw‑dropping magic or mentalism moment
- A branded photo booth with fun props
- A surprise group activity that looks great on video
Encourage posting with an event hashtag and maybe even a prize for the best post of the day.
9. Think Beyond the Stage
Between‑session engagement doesn’t always require a performer—it can be environmental:
- Live sketch artists drawing attendees
- Interactive digital displays
- Pop‑up lounge games (trivia, puzzles)
But—and I say this with total honesty—few things beat the buzz created by a skilled live entertainer interacting directly with your crowd.
10. The Payoff: Better Reviews, Happier Sponsors, and Higher ROI
Event planners who prioritize between‑session engagement consistently see:
- Higher attendee satisfaction scores
- Increased sponsor renewals
- Stronger networking outcomes
- More attendees staying for the entire day instead of slipping out early
It’s not “filler”—it’s fuel for your event’s success.
In Closing…
If you want your conference to keep energy high from the first keynote to the final farewell, between‑session engagement is your secret weapon.
I’ve helped conferences from Vancouver to Miami transform their breaks into the most talked‑about part of the event. Whether it’s quick stage energizers, roaming mind‑reading, or theme‑customized routines, I can help make your conference unforgettable.
Let’s talk about how we can make every moment of your event matter. [Click here to check my availability.]
