10 Proven Ways to Boost Guest Engagement at Your Next Event

Guest engagement is the difference between a good event and an unforgettable one. When attendees are actively participating, sharing moments, and interacting with each other, the energy in the room is palpable. But achieving that level of engagement does not happen by accident. It requires intentional strategies and the right tools.

Whether you are organizing a wedding, a corporate conference, a charity gala, or a milestone birthday, these ten proven strategies will help you create an event that guests talk about long after it is over. Each tip is practical, actionable, and designed to work with modern event technology.

1 Set Up a Live Photo Wall

A live photo wall is one of the most powerful engagement tools you can add to any event. It displays guest-uploaded photos and videos in real time on a TV, projector, or any screen at your venue. As guests see their own photos appearing on the big screen, it creates a sense of excitement and community that keeps people snapping and uploading throughout the event.

The beauty of a live photo wall is that it turns passive attendees into active participants. Instead of guests simply watching the event unfold, they become content creators, capturing moments from their unique perspective and contributing to a shared visual experience. Position the photo wall in a high-visibility location where guests can easily see it, and watch participation grow organically.

2 Use QR Codes for Frictionless Participation

The easier you make it for guests to participate, the more of them will do so. QR codes eliminate virtually all friction from the photo sharing process. Guests simply point their phone camera at the code, and they are instantly connected to your event's upload page. No app downloads, no account creation, no URLs to type. It takes less than five seconds from scan to upload.

Print QR codes on table cards, event programs, signs near the entrance, and anywhere else guests might see them. The more visible and accessible the code, the higher your participation rate will be. Consider adding a brief instruction underneath the code, such as "Scan to share your photos," so guests immediately understand what it is for.

3 Enable Real-Time Voting on Photos

Adding a voting system transforms your photo collection from a passive gallery into an interactive competition. Guests can vote on their favorite photos, and real-time results show which moments are resonating most with the crowd. This gamification element drives significantly more engagement because guests are not just uploading photos but also browsing, voting, and cheering for their favorites.

Platforms like Glip include a built-in voting system that works seamlessly with the photo wall. The competitive element encourages guests to take better photos and upload more frequently, knowing their shots could top the leaderboard. It adds a layer of fun that keeps guests engaged throughout the entire event.

4 Create a Digital Event Program

A digital event program puts all the essential information at your guests' fingertips. Instead of printing bulky paper programs that guests lose or forget, create a mobile-friendly digital version that includes the event timeline, speaker information, venue maps, and any other details guests might need. When guests scan the QR code, they can access both the photo sharing feature and the event program in one place.

Digital programs keep guests informed and oriented throughout the event. They know what is happening next, where to go, and what to expect. This reduces confusion and keeps the energy high because guests are always aware of upcoming highlights they will not want to miss.

5 Place QR Codes Strategically Throughout the Venue

Location matters when it comes to QR code placement. Do not just put one code at the entrance and hope for the best. Think about where guests spend the most time and where the best photo opportunities arise. Place QR codes at every table, near the bar or drink station, by the dance floor, at the entrance to the venue, in restroom areas, and near any photo-worthy backdrop or decoration.

The goal is to make the QR code unavoidable. Wherever a guest is standing when they think "I should share this photo," the QR code should be within arm's reach. Multiple placement points also serve as constant reminders, keeping the photo sharing top of mind throughout the event rather than being a one-time interaction at the beginning.

6 Encourage Video Submissions, Not Just Photos

Photos capture a moment, but videos capture the energy. Encourage guests to submit short video clips alongside their photos. A 15-second clip of the crowd singing along to a song, a quick video message from a friend, or a slow-motion capture of confetti falling can add incredible depth to your event's content collection. These video moments often become the most replayed and shared content after the event.

Make sure your photo sharing platform supports video uploads. Glip, for example, supports videos up to 5 minutes long, giving guests plenty of room to capture meaningful moments. Mention video capability in your announcements and signage so guests know it is an option beyond just still photos.

7 Display a Leaderboard of Top-Voted Photos

If you have enabled voting, take it a step further by displaying a leaderboard of the top-voted photos. This can be shown on a dedicated screen or integrated into your photo wall rotation. The leaderboard creates a competitive dynamic that motivates guests to take their best shots and rally their friends to vote for their submissions.

Consider announcing the top photo at the end of the event and giving a small prize to the winner. Even a simple acknowledgment from the MC can generate buzz. The leaderboard turns your photo collection into a game, and games are inherently engaging. Guests will check back repeatedly to see if their photo has climbed the rankings.

8 Time Your Photo Wall to Key Moments

Strategic timing can amplify the impact of your photo wall. Draw attention to it during high-energy moments when guests are most likely to be taking photos. Have the MC point to the photo wall right after a big reveal, during the dance floor opening, or immediately after a toast. When guests see a wave of photos appearing on the wall at these peak moments, it creates a collective experience that amplifies the excitement.

You can also use the photo wall as a visual countdown or highlight reel during transitions between event segments. For example, display the best photos from the cocktail hour as guests move to the dinner area. This keeps the momentum going and reminds guests to keep uploading as the event progresses.

9 Make It Social — Connect to Social Media

While your photo wall collects content in a private, curated environment, you can extend the reach by encouraging guests to share their best shots on social media as well. Create a unique event hashtag and display it alongside the QR code. This creates a dual-channel engagement strategy: photos are collected on your platform for your private collection, while the social media posts generate buzz and extend the event's impact beyond the venue walls.

The social media angle also appeals to guests who are natural sharers. They get to contribute to your event album and their own social feeds simultaneously. Just make sure the QR code-based platform remains the primary collection method, since social media posts are harder to aggregate and often get buried in feeds.

10 Follow Up After the Event with a Shared Album

Engagement does not have to end when the last guest leaves. Send a follow-up message to all attendees with a link to the complete photo and video collection. This extends the life of your event and gives guests a reason to relive the memories. Many guests will browse the album, discover photos they had not seen before, and share their favorites with friends and family who could not attend.

A shared album also demonstrates that you valued your guests' contributions. They took the time to capture and upload moments, and by curating and sharing the collection, you are honoring that effort. Include a thank-you note with the album link and encourage guests to download their favorite shots. For corporate events, a follow-up album can also serve as valuable marketing material and a reminder of a successful gathering.

The most memorable events are the ones where every guest feels like a participant, not just a spectator. Give your guests the tools to contribute, and they will create an experience that no single photographer could capture alone.

Bringing It All Together

Guest engagement is not a single tactic but rather a combination of strategies that work together to create a participatory atmosphere. The ten techniques outlined above are most effective when used in combination. A live photo wall with voting and QR codes creates a self-reinforcing engagement loop: guests scan, upload, vote, and share, driving more and more participation as the event progresses.

The key is to reduce friction at every step. Make it effortless for guests to participate, give them a reason to keep coming back (like voting and leaderboards), and show them that their contributions matter (by displaying their photos on a live wall). When you get this right, the result is an event where guests are not just present but genuinely engaged.

Modern platforms like Glip make it easy to implement all of these strategies in one place. From QR code access and live photo walls to real-time voting and digital event programs, you can set up a complete engagement system in minutes. The free plan supports up to 100 uploads, giving you everything you need to test these strategies at your next event.