--- title: "Monday Buzz: Boost Meeting Engagement Without Breaking the Bank" id: "38469" type: "post" slug: "monday-buzz-boost-meeting-engagement-without-breaking-the-bank" published_at: "2017-06-05T19:29:30+00:00" modified_at: "2026-11-09T16:18:38+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/06/05/monday-buzz-boost-meeting-engagement-without-breaking-the-bank/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/06/05/monday-buzz-boost-meeting-engagement-without-breaking-the-bank.md" excerpt: "You don’t have to make radical changes to improve engagement at your meeting. Here are a few simple things to try. Also: Does lowering the cost of membership dues lower your association’s value?" taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "event planning" - "Meetings" - "reengagement" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Manager" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Monday Buzz: Boost Meeting Engagement Without Breaking the Bank We all know the basic association meeting format by heart: morning keynote speech, followed by a few panels, then a break, followed by more sessions and a social hour. It’s a format that works, but you might want to shake things up a bit for your next meeting to increase attendee engagement. [Association Success shares a few low-cost tactics (opens in a new tab)](http://www.associationsuccess.org/article/5-low-cost-ways-to-boost-your-next-conference) you can try. Start by removing barriers between your speakers and the audience. Ditch the podium for a high-top table. And make sure you have as many Q&A sessions with each presentation as possible. “If you are afraid no one will speak up, pre-identify ‘audience advocates’—knowledgeable participants who are quick thinkers—and have them ask questions,” writes Doreen Ashton Wagner. Also consider reducing the number of speakers and panels on the schedule to help with information retention. “Too often participants walk away from conferences with packed schedules, feeling like they had little time to absorb material,” says Wagner. Give people longer breaks so they can check email and social media, making them less distracted and more able to focus during the sessions. ### Membership Dues > You might want to think twice before discounting your membership dues. [#nonprofit (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/nonprofit?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#association (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/association?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#bigredm (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/bigredm?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [https://t.co/FtOt8sAww5 (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/FtOt8sAww5) > > — JP Moery (@jpmoery) [June 5, 2017 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/jpmoery/status/871740602408415232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **At some point, most membership organizations** will probably consider reducing dues to attract more members. But a recent Moery Company blog post argues that [lowering dues could backfire (opens in a new tab)](https://moerycompany.com/planning-discount-membership-dues-reconsider/) . “We work hard at our organizations to build up the membership value proposition,” writes JP Moery. “So, when we discount it, it actually drives down the value of membership.” Lowering dues also might affect your renewals. A member signs up at a reduced rate, but when it comes time to renew, he or she may be less willing to stay at a higher price. ### Other Links of Note **Do you have a plan for recruiting baby boomers** to your organization?*Engaging Volunteers* shares ways to keep [boomer volunteers (opens in a new tab)](http://blogs.volunteermatch.org/engagingvolunteers/2017/05/23/from-recruitment-to-retention-modern-tools-that-engage-boomer-volunteers/) excited about participating. **Don’t let your smartphone addiction get any worse.** *CMSWire* reveals how to resolve [smartphone separation anxiety (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cmswire.com/digital-experience/mobile-phone-separation-anxiety-is-real-and-its-getting-worse/) . **Packing for business travel doesn’t have to be a hassle.** *Forbes* shares several tips and tricks for [packing like a road warrior (opens in a new tab)](https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2017/05/31/confessions-of-a-packing-expert-9-business-travel-hacks/#fd45993e7fd5) . (monkeybusinessimages/Thinkstock) [Raegan Johnson](https://associationsnow.com/author/raegan-johnson/) Raegan Johnson is a contributor to Associations Now. 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