Hackney Homes used audience engagement technologies from LiveInteractive at its recent three-day staff conference, the main objectives of which were to prepare for an Audit Commission inspection in November 2008 and communicate the 2009 business plans to the 900 staff at the event.
300 staff attended the event each day and were split into 30 groups of ten, each sharing a table with one digital engagement tablet. Full free-text feedback can be entered into the tablet, which can also be used for internet access or viewing digital documents and multimedia files. All staff were also given a handheld ‘palmlet’, which lets delegates vote on multiple-choice questions.
The event facilitator used the digital tablets to run group exercises, distribute pictures, instructions and examples. The groups could then answer immediately via a touch-screen keyboard on the tablet, allowing their responses to be instantly discussed. The digital tablets were also used as a communication channel, letting delegates ask questions instantly and anonymously.
The palmlets were employed as a feedback tool; questions were displayed at the front of the venue and then voted on in multiple-choice format using the palmlets. The palmlets were also used for a light-hearted quiz to break up the day and keep the delegates involved and animated.
Chloe Goddard, head of communications, Hackney Homes, said, “The audience engagement tools gave the staff more confidence to get involved, resulting in a decent amount of feedback which we used to ensure the event was relevant and informative. The tablets and palmlets were easy and entertaining to use, helping to break up the day and heighten interest levels.”
