Conference Entertainment Ideas

Conference Entertainment Ideas

Conference Entertainment Ideas

Looking for conference entertainment ideas that give delegates something interactive to do between sessions, during networking or at the evening reception?

Boutique Party Hire provides arcade machines and interactive games for conferences, corporate events, exhibitions, networking events and brand activations throughout London and across the UK.

Conference entertainment can help turn otherwise quiet periods into opportunities for:

Networking

Competition

Delegate Interaction

Sponsor Engagement

Team Socialising

Informal Conversation

Evening Entertainment

Browse our wider Arcade Machine Hire London & UK Nationwide range for suitable arcade and amusement games.


Why Add Entertainment to a Conference?

Conferences can involve long periods of:

Presentations

Panel Discussions

Workshops

Meetings

Networking

Exhibition Visits

Interactive entertainment gives delegates something completely different to do between formal sessions.

It can work particularly well during:

Registration

Coffee Breaks

Lunch

Networking Sessions

Drinks Receptions

Post-Conference Entertainment

Evening Parties

The aim is not to distract from the conference programme.

The entertainment should complement it.


1. Reaction Games for Conferences

Reaction games are one of the strongest conference entertainment ideas because they can provide quick participation without requiring a large time commitment.

Our Catch It Reaction Ring Game Hire can create a simple high-score challenge.

Delegates can:

Approach

Play

Receive a Score

Compare With Colleagues

Try Again Later

A conference leaderboard can potentially operate throughout the day.


Why Reaction Games Work at Conferences

Conference traffic often arrives in bursts.

Hundreds of delegates might leave sessions simultaneously for a 20-minute coffee break.

That means entertainment needs to be:

Easy to Understand

Quick to Play

Competitive

Visible

Easy to Join

Reaction games can potentially fit this format particularly well.


2. Batak Hire for Conferences

Our Batak Lite Game Hire can provide a competitive speed and reaction challenge.

The concept is straightforward:

CAN YOU BEAT THE CONFERENCE HIGH SCORE?

Delegates compete against each other throughout the day.

Batak can work particularly well inside:

Networking Areas

Exhibition Areas

Breakout Spaces

Sponsor Zones

Drinks Receptions

Corporate Hospitality Areas


Conference Batak Leaderboards

A simple leaderboard can add another layer to the activity.

Possible categories include:

Highest Score Today

Fastest Delegate

Company vs Company

Department vs Department

Sponsor vs Delegate

Speaker vs Delegate

The organiser can determine the competition format and any prizes.


3. Basketball Arcade Game Hire

Our 2-Player Basketball Arcade Game Hire can provide direct head-to-head competition.

Two delegates can compete simultaneously, creating visible activity around the game.

Basketball can work particularly well for:

Large Conferences

Corporate Conferences

Sports Conferences

Employee Conferences

Sales Conferences

Networking Events

Evening Receptions


Basketball Challenges for Conferences

Simple competition ideas include:

DELEGATE VS DELEGATE

COMPANY VS COMPANY

SALES VS MARKETING

SPEAKER VS AUDIENCE

BEAT TODAY’S HIGH SCORE

This type of informal competition can help guests interact outside the formal conference programme.


4. Racing Simulator Hire for Conferences

Racing simulators can provide a premium entertainment feature.

Linked simulators allow two people to race directly against one another.

They can work particularly well for:

Automotive Conferences

Technology Events

Engineering Conferences

Corporate Events

Sales Conferences

Sponsor Activations

Evening Entertainment

A fastest-lap competition can run throughout the conference.


Fastest Lap Conference Competition

One easy format is:

FASTEST LAP OF THE CONFERENCE

Delegates attempt to set the best lap time.

The organiser could display:

Top 10 Drivers

Fastest Delegate

Fastest Company

Fastest Speaker

Daily Winner

This can encourage delegates to return later and see whether their score is still leading.


5. Prize Crane Grabber Hire

Our Prize Crane Grabber Hire can potentially combine interactive entertainment with suitable promotional products.

Depending on the machine and item dimensions, possible contents could include:

Branded Merchandise

Conference Merchandise

Sponsor Items

Promotional Products

Small Gifts

Suitable Product Samples

Vouchers

This can be particularly useful inside sponsor and exhibition areas.


Prize Cranes for Conference Sponsors

Conference sponsors often want delegates to interact with their activation rather than simply walk past a logo.

A prize crane can potentially create an interactive feature within the sponsor space.

Visitors participate in the activity while sponsor branding and campaign messaging remain visible.


6. Gashapon Dispenser Hire

Our Gashapon Dispenser Hire provides another way to incorporate suitable promotional items into a conference activation.

Capsules can potentially form part of:

Sponsor Giveaways

Conference Merchandise

Promotional Campaigns

Product Launches

Delegate Gifts

Brand Activations

This can provide an alternative to simply handing items out from a table.


7. Retro Arcade Machines for Conferences

Our Retro Arcade Game Machine Hire can create a relaxed gaming area where delegates can unwind between sessions.

Retro arcade machines can work particularly well for:

Technology Conferences

Marketing Conferences

Media Events

Creative Industry Conferences

Corporate Events

Employee Conferences

Networking Areas

Several cabinets can potentially create a temporary arcade lounge.


Retro Gaming Areas for Delegates

Not every conference activity needs to be competitive.

A retro arcade area can give delegates somewhere to:

Relax

Play

Talk

Network

Challenge Colleagues

This can create a different atmosphere from the main conference rooms.


8. Interactive Games for Conference Networking

Networking is one of the most important parts of many conferences.

However, walking into a room full of strangers and starting conversations isn’t always easy.

Interactive games can create a shared activity.

Two delegates can:

Race Each Other

Compete at Basketball

Try a Reaction Challenge

Play Retro Arcade

without needing a formal introduction.

The game gives them something immediate to talk about.


Games as Conference Icebreakers

Arcade games can act as informal icebreakers.

For example:

“Have you tried the reaction game yet?”

or:

“Think you can beat that score?”

These are easy conversation starters.

This can be particularly useful where delegates come from multiple companies or offices.


9. Entertainment for Conference Coffee Breaks

Coffee breaks often produce concentrated footfall.

Delegates leave sessions and enter networking or exhibition spaces at the same time.

Quick-play entertainment can work particularly well here.

Suitable options include:

Batak Lite Game Hire

Catch It Reaction Ring Game Hire

These types of games can potentially allow delegates to participate without spending the entire break on one activity.


10. Entertainment for Conference Lunch Breaks

Lunch breaks tend to be longer.

This may allow for a wider range of entertainment.

Potential options include:

Basketball

Racing Simulators

Retro Arcade

Reaction Games

Batak

Prize Cranes

Delegates can move between food, networking and games.


11. Entertainment for Conference Drinks Receptions

A drinks reception can be one of the strongest periods for interactive entertainment.

The formal sessions have finished.

Delegates are more relaxed.

Arcade games can provide another activity alongside:

Drinks

Networking

Food

Music

Sponsor Areas

Other Entertainment

A dedicated games area can potentially operate throughout the reception.


12. Post-Conference Entertainment Ideas

Once the final presentation finishes, the event can transition into a more social environment.

A larger arcade setup might include:

Racing Simulators

Basketball

Batak

Reaction Games

Retro Arcade Machines

Prize Crane

This can create a complete post-conference entertainment area.

Browse our full Arcade Machine Hire London & UK Nationwide range when planning a larger games package.


13. Conference After-Party Games

For conferences with an evening party, arcade equipment can complement:

DJs

Live Music

Bars

Food

Photo Booths

Networking

Dancing

Games provide another option for guests who want something interactive rather than spending the entire evening on the dance floor.


14. Sponsor Activation Games for Conferences

Conference sponsors often need ways to attract delegates into their area.

Interactive games can potentially provide:

Competition

Visible Activity

Brand Interaction

Giveaways

Leaderboards

Conversation Opportunities

Suitable options could include:

Reaction Challenge

Basketball Competition

Prize Crane

Gashapon Dispenser

Racing Simulator


Branded Games for Conference Sponsors

Selected arcade machines can potentially incorporate:

Sponsor Logos

Campaign Artwork

Conference Branding

Product Graphics

Event Messaging

This can make the entertainment feel part of the sponsor activation.


15. Games for Conference Exhibition Areas

Many conferences include an exhibition alongside the speaking programme.

Interactive games can help exhibitors create activity around their stands.

Suitable options include:

Batak Lite Game Hire

Catch It Reaction Ring Game Hire

Basketball Arcade Game Hire

Prize Crane Grabber Hire

Retro Arcade Game Hire


16. Games for Conference Breakout Areas

Breakout spaces can be ideal locations for interactive games.

Instead of positioning machines inside the main presentation room, games can be installed in areas where delegates already gather between sessions.

This helps separate:

Formal Conference Content

from:

Networking & Entertainment


17. Games for Employee Conferences

Businesses holding internal conferences can use arcade games to create interaction between employees.

This can be particularly useful when staff are attending from different:

Departments

Branches

Offices

Regions

Countries

Games can create informal company-wide competition.


Office vs Office Conference Challenges

A business with multiple offices could create:

London vs Manchester

North vs South

Sales vs Operations

Marketing vs Finance

Management vs Employees

Suitable games can produce scores that the organiser records throughout the conference.


18. Games for Sales Conferences

Sales conferences often involve competitive personalities.

Arcade games can fit naturally into this environment.

Potential challenges include:

Basketball High Score

Reaction Champion

Fastest Racing Lap

Team Leaderboard

This can add another competitive element to the event.


19. Games for Leadership Conferences

Leadership and executive conferences may benefit from a smaller number of premium attractions.

For example:

Linked Racing Simulators

Reaction Challenge

Retro Arcade Area

The entertainment can provide a relaxed environment for delegates to interact outside the formal programme.


20. Games for Technology Conferences

Technology conferences can potentially use:

Reaction Games

Racing Simulators

Retro Arcade Machines

Competitive Challenges

Branded Interactive Games

These can complement digital displays, sponsor activations and technology exhibitions.


21. Games for Marketing Conferences

Marketing and creative-industry conferences can potentially use visually distinctive entertainment.

Suitable options include:

Prize Crane Grabber Hire

Gashapon Dispenser Hire

Retro Arcade Game Hire

Reaction Game Hire

These can become part of a sponsor or brand experience.


22. Games for Automotive Conferences

Automotive conferences are naturally suited to racing entertainment.

Potential ideas include:

Racing Simulators

Fastest-Lap Competition

Reaction Games

Batak

Branded Arcade Challenges

The entertainment can reinforce the wider automotive theme.


23. Games for Sports Conferences

Sports-related conferences can use:

Basketball Arcade Game Hire

Batak Lite Game Hire

Catch It Reaction Ring Game Hire

alongside football and other competitive arcade equipment.


24. Games for Recruitment Conferences

Recruitment, HR and employer events can potentially use interactive games to create informal engagement between attendees.

Reaction games and retro arcade machines can provide an easy activity around networking areas.


25. Games for Multi-Day Conferences

For conferences running for several days, entertainment can potentially remain installed throughout the event.

This creates opportunities for:

Ongoing Leaderboards

Daily Competitions

Repeat Participation

Sponsor Engagement

Evening Entertainment

A delegate may play on day one and return later to improve their score.


Conference Leaderboard Ideas

Suitable leaderboard categories include:

Highest Basketball Score

Fastest Reaction Score

Top Batak Score

Fastest Racing Lap

Best Department

Best Company

Daily Champion

This can create an ongoing competition across the event.


Delegate vs Delegate Challenges

Arcade games can create direct competition between attendees.

Our 2-Player Basketball Arcade Game Hire is one example.

Potential matchups include:

Delegate vs Delegate

Client vs Supplier

Colleague vs Colleague

Speaker vs Delegate

Sponsor vs Guest


Speakers vs Delegates

A fun conference format could involve selected speakers or hosts competing against attendees.

For example:

Speaker Reaction Score

Speaker Racing Lap

Speaker Basketball Score

Delegates can then attempt to beat them throughout the day.


Conference Games for Lead Generation

Sponsors and exhibitors may use interactive games as part of a wider lead-generation process.

For example:

Delegate Approaches

Participates

Receives Score

Checks Leaderboard

Talks With Sponsor Team

The game provides the interaction.

Any collection and processing of attendee information should be handled appropriately by the organiser.


Promotional Giveaways at Conferences

Suitable promotional products can potentially be incorporated into:

Prize Crane Grabber Hire

or:

Gashapon Dispenser Hire

This can turn the distribution of conference merchandise into another interactive experience.


Branded Arcade Games for Conferences

Selected arcade equipment can potentially incorporate:

Conference Branding

Company Logos

Sponsor Logos

Campaign Artwork

Product Graphics

Event Messaging

This can be particularly valuable for sponsor-led entertainment.


Our Popular Conference Entertainment Ideas

Quick Reaction Challenge

Catch It Reaction Ring Game Hire

Batak High-Score Challenge

Batak Lite Game Hire

Head-to-Head Basketball

2-Player Basketball Arcade Game Hire

Promotional Prize Crane

Prize Crane Grabber Hire

Capsule Giveaway Experience

Gashapon Dispenser Hire

Retro Gaming Lounge

Retro Arcade Game Machine Hire

Complete Conference Arcade

Arcade Machine Hire London & UK Nationwide


Entertainment Ideas for Small Conferences

A smaller conference may only need one or two games.

For example:

Reaction Game

or:

Batak + Retro Arcade

or:

Linked Racing Simulators

One good interactive attraction can provide plenty of entertainment for smaller delegate numbers.


Entertainment Ideas for Large Conferences

A major conference can potentially use several entertainment zones.

For example:

Reaction Zone

Batak + Catch It.

Sports Zone

Basketball + other competitive games.

Racing Zone

Linked racing simulators.

Retro Zone

Several arcade cabinets.

Sponsor Zone

Prize Crane + Gashapon Dispenser.

This can provide variety for larger delegate numbers.


Conference Entertainment Packages

Single Feature Game

One interactive attraction.

Small Conference Package

2–3 games.

Medium Conference Package

4–6 games.

Large Conference Arcade

7–10+ suitable machines.

Branded Sponsor Activation

Selected equipment incorporating suitable campaign or sponsor branding.

The package can be built around delegate numbers, venue space and event schedule.


How Many Games Should a Conference Hire?

The correct number depends on:

Delegate Numbers

Available Space

Break Length

Event Duration

Number of Entertainment Areas

Conference Format

A conference with 100 delegates has very different requirements from one with 2,000 attendees.


Where Should Conference Games Be Positioned?

Good locations can include:

Networking Areas

Exhibition Halls

Breakout Spaces

Drinks Reception Areas

Sponsor Zones

Evening Entertainment Areas

Games should generally not be positioned where noise or activity interferes with presentations.


Conference Game Hire London

Boutique Party Hire can discuss suitable interactive game hire for conferences throughout London.

This can include conferences inside:

Hotels

Conference Centres

Exhibition Venues

Corporate Offices

Event Venues

Universities

Hospitality Venues

When enquiring, provide venue loading and access information for larger equipment.


Conference Entertainment Hire Across the UK

Suitable conference bookings can be discussed throughout the UK, including:

London

Birmingham

Manchester

Leeds

Liverpool

Bristol

Cardiff

Nottingham

Leicester

Coventry

Sheffield

and other locations.

Browse the wider Arcade Machine Hire London & UK Nationwide range when planning your conference entertainment.


Multi-Day Conference Game Hire

Suitable machines can potentially remain installed throughout a multi-day conference.

When requesting a quote, send:

  • Conference Name
  • Venue
  • Event Dates
  • Delegate Numbers
  • Setup Date
  • Setup Time
  • Breakdown Time
  • Games Required
  • Available Floor Space
  • Loading Information
  • Branding Requirements
  • Sponsor Requirements
  • On-Site Contact

Conference Entertainment Ideas FAQs

What are good entertainment ideas for a conference?

Reaction games, Batak, racing simulators, basketball, retro arcade machines, prize cranes and leaderboard competitions can all work depending on the conference.

What entertainment works well during conference breaks?

Quick-play reaction games can be particularly useful during coffee breaks and session changes.

What entertainment works well for conference networking?

Head-to-head games, racing simulators, reaction challenges and retro arcade machines can provide informal shared activities.

Can you provide games for conference evening entertainment?

Yes. Suitable conferences can hire multiple arcade and interactive games for drinks receptions and evening events.

Can sponsors brand the arcade games?

Selected machines may offer branding opportunities depending on the equipment, artwork requirements and lead time.

Can promotional merchandise go inside a prize crane?

Potentially, depending on the machine, item dimensions and project requirements. See our Prize Crane Grabber Hire.

Can we use a Gashapon dispenser for conference giveaways?

Suitable campaigns can consider our Gashapon Dispenser Hire.

Can delegates compete against each other?

Yes. Suitable games can be used for high-score and head-to-head competitions.

Can you create a complete conference arcade?

Yes. Larger conferences can potentially combine multiple machines into a dedicated networking or entertainment area.

Do you provide conference entertainment nationwide?

Suitable conference bookings can be discussed throughout the UK.


Hire Interactive Entertainment for Your Conference

Whether you need entertainment for conference networking, coffee breaks, exhibition areas, sponsor activations, drinks receptions or an evening after-party, arcade machines can provide delegates with something interactive to do throughout the event.

Explore:

Batak Lite Game Hire

Catch It Reaction Ring Game Hire

Basketball Arcade Game Hire

Prize Crane Grabber Hire

Gashapon Dispenser Hire

Retro Arcade Game Machine Hire

Or browse the complete Arcade Machine Hire London & UK Nationwide range.

Send us your conference date, venue, postcode, delegate numbers, required games, available space and branding requirements for a quote.

Email Us: info@boutiquepartyhire.co.uk
Call Us: 0208 087 3788

Client Testimonials

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Dawn Pritchard profile picture
Dawn Pritchard
2 years ago
We hired a claw machine through Boutique party hire for our corporate event and it was brilliant! It went down a treat with guests. It was simple to use, dropped off on time and picked up as soon as we were done. The process couldn’t have been simpler. Would definitely recommend.
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Abigail Hosseini
2 years ago
Charlotte and her team are FABULOUS! I am the owner of Abigail Lucy Design, a Luxury Wedding + Events company. We recently started planning, designing and managing Luxury Children’s Parties. We have used Charlottes services a couple of times now and we couldn’t be happier, she will always be our go to person from now forth because she always delivers even when we have super last minute bookings. They are professional, helpful and reasonably priced – we love working with Charlotte and her team! I would highly recommend! Love A x
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John Heredea
2 years ago
Excellent service and top quality supplies. Highly recommend!
A really friendly and helpful team. They stayed to ensure everything was put together beautifully and were very efficient. I would highly recommend.
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Ryan Tyler
3 years ago
Amazing prop supplier, I used them for a themed event in a prestigous venue in London and not only were their props excellent but their service and conduct on-site was second-to-none. Would definitely recommend.
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Nisha Ajaz
3 years ago
I hired kids chairs and tables from this company, brilliant smooth seamless service from beginning to end. Thank you Charlotte, will definitely use again.
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OJ C
3 years ago
We hired the powder blue slide bouncy castle and a set of kids white table and chairs for my daughter’s Peter Rabbit themed 3rd birthday party and they were a huge success! Looked beautiful and set up and take down teams were great. Arrived on time, super friendly, and helped the day run smoothly! Highly recommend, and I’m sure we’ll be using them again!
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Stacey TC
3 years ago
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Eleanor
3 years ago
We used Boutique Party Hire for my daughter’s 1st Birthday Party. We hired a bouncy castle and soft play. Right from the point of inquiry to the point of delivery & collection the process was easy and professional. They are also reasonably priced. The bouncy castle and soft play looked lovely and was exactly what we wanted! The kids also loved it! We will definitely be using this company again and recommending them to friends and family.
Charlotte was very responsive and accomodative of my very late request and change that had to be made. Will recommend and use again.
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rebecca cissell
4 years ago
I would highly recommend the Boutique Hire company the staff were so friendly & professional they couldn’t do enough for me when setting up they helped me reorganise my furniture in order to fit the items in. They also come the next day to take it down at a reasonable time and refunded me my deposit within 24 hours. The children absolutely loved the set up and I would definitely use them again x
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Penny Gracey
4 years ago
Boutique Party Hire were great to deal with for our party. Super professional and very quick at responding. Would highly recommend for hiring kids furniture. Thank you!
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Hannah Pham
4 years ago
I just had my babys 1 year old birthday party and hired a baby blue bouncy castle. They delivered on time, not only that I needed a
‘ONE’ table last minute and they came back to deliver it pretty fast and efficient on the same day. I will definitely be using them again for future parties and highly recommend them! Thank you boutique party hire team x
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Kamilla Luck
4 years ago
Absolutely amazing service from start to finish, I got the white soft play, ball pit, bouncy castle and balloon garland and the quality was class. My guests were wowed and the kids were fully entertained all day. The garden looked beautiful all set up. It was a ‘no fuss’ drop off and pick up and I found the price really reasonable. Will always use boutique party hire now and highly recommend. So glad I found you guys. Thank you so much for making my daughters birthday special x

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