Nine conference planning ideas for 2026

Written by Ellie Cashmore from Blackberry Events

Planning your first corporate conference?

Are you preparing to host your very first corporate conference in 2026? Or perhaps you’re an experienced event planner searching for fresh, creative ideas to elevate your delegates’ experience?

Wherever you are in the planning process, one thing is certain — audiences today expect more.

Conferences can no longer be long, uninspiring gatherings. Attendees want dynamic, immersive experiences that leave a lasting impact, not just another run-of-the-mill event.

It’s all about standing out and finding imaginative ways to deliver messages. Conferences, too, offer an incredible opportunity to surprise, inspire, and engage your audience in new ways.

Why face-to-face conferences still matter

The workplace has transformed dramatically, and many of us see our colleagues and clients far less frequently than before.

While virtual meetings and remote work bring undeniable benefits for the planet and logistics of your event, they also highlight the value of in-person gatherings.

Whether it’s an internal company summit or an external industry event, face-to-face conferences are more important than ever for sharing knowledge, aligning goals, and strengthening connections.

“85 per cent of professionals say in-person meetings with colleagues are essential.” - Accor.

Get value from your conference

Even though the benefits of conferences are clear — fostering alignment, motivation, and communication — leadership teams are increasingly demanding measurable results.

Event planners are now tasked with demonstrating not just impact, but tangible returns.

To achieve this, your conference needs to deliver genuine engagement.

When attendees are actively participating and connecting with your message, they’re far more likely to retain information and act on it. In short, engagement should be your top metric when evaluating event success.

Here are some new planning ideas you could try in 2026

1 Bring the energy

Ever heard of a conference energiser? If not, it’s time to add one to your agenda.

These short, interactive sessions can transform the mood of your event — ideal for kicking off with enthusiasm or reigniting energy after lunch when attention typically dips.

From motivational moved in a Haka workshop to Musical moments with Samba Beats or Drumba, energisers are designed to get people moving and feeling re-focused.

They break down barriers, lift spirits, and help set the right tone for collaboration. Speak to the Blackberry Events team for a free proposal featuring the latest energiser ideas tailored to your conference.

2 Inspire with standout speakers

A skilled speaker can completely change how your message lands. The best presenters don’t just inform — they connect, motivate, and inspire.

Whether you hire a motivational host, a subject expert, or a humorous storyteller, make sure they align with your organisation and event objectives.

If your agenda includes complex or serious topics, a charismatic or entertaining speaker can make all the difference in keeping your audience engaged and attentive throughout the day.

3 Add conference-friendly indoor team building activities

Team building has evolved far beyond outdoor obstacle courses.

Modern formats are sleek, tech-driven, and perfectly suited for conference schedules. Compact tabletop challenges or digital games can be incorporated seamlessly into your agenda, requiring little space or setup.

Including even an hour of team building can strengthen relationships, encourage cross-departmental collaboration, and spark networking opportunities. These shared experiences often carry long-term benefits that extend well beyond the event itself.

4 Choose a space that inspires

As the saying goes — location is everything. Your venue choice can make or break the overall feel of your conference. That’s why many organisers turn to experts like Blackberry Events for professional venue sourcing.

To impress your delegates, look for a space that tells a story. Venues with natural light, sustainable features, high-quality AV setups, or unique surroundings instantly elevate the atmosphere and make your conference feel special from start to finish.

5 Create impactful breakout sessions

Take it from us — after organising hundreds of successful conferences, we can confidently say that sitting in the same spot all day just doesn’t cut it anymore.

The most engaging events feature inspiring breakout sessions and workshops. These smaller, interactive sessions are usually led by subject experts who help delegates turn theory into practice.

By giving your audience, the opportunity to apply new knowledge to real-world situations you’ll not only boost engagement but also help key messages stick long after the event is over.

6 Wow with stunning audio-visual design

Whether you’re using in-house AV or partnering with an external production team, your technical setup can completely transform your conference atmosphere. Don’t just project slides — bring your content to life.

Ask Blackberry Event’s AV professionals how lighting, sound, and visuals can be used strategically to complement your message.

Simple touches walk-on like music for speakers or immersive lighting effects can elevate the energy in the room.

Or take it a step further — hire a creative agency like Blackberry Events to design custom animation and video that adds emotion, storytelling, and flair to your presentation.

7 Make impact outside your event

There’s something incredibly powerful about using an event to create positive change. Conferences can be more than just informative — they can be a platform for giving back.

You don’t need to stage the next Live Aid, but adding a simple CSR or charity element can make a big impact.

This could include hosting a charity raffle, inviting a local food bank to collect donations, or running team-building activities that raise awareness of environmental or social issues.

These initiatives not only support your ESG strategy but also leave attendees feeling proud to have contributed.

If you’d like creative charity-focused ideas for your next event, our team at Blackberry Events can help you design the perfect give-back experience.

8 Elevate engagement with AI

Engagement is still the number one success metric for any conference — and AI is fast becoming one of the most effective ways to enhance it.

Artificial intelligence can be used to improve both the attendee and organiser experience. Think AI-powered chatbots that answer FAQs instantly. Or live translation and subtitle tools that make your conference more accessible to all.

AI can even help before the event begins — automatically generating promotional content for social media and helping delegates share their excitement online. The possibilities for smarter, more connected events are only just beginning.

9 Add some fun with gamification

When we say gamification, we don’t mean board games or consoles — we’re talking about clever, interactive tools that make learning and networking more exciting.

Apps like Kahoot! or Slido let you quiz your audience throughout the day, collect instant feedback, and reward participation with small prizes. You can also create event challenges or live leaderboards through your event app to encourage social sharing, collaboration, and friendly competition.

Gamification turns passive delegates into active participants — and as any good organiser knows, more engagement equals better results.

For tailored support with your next conference, reach out to our expert conference organisers at Blackberry Events or call 01527878761 — we’d love to help you bring your ideas to life.