Conference Gamification Examples: Best Ideas and Strategies to Boost Attendee Engagement

Creative ways to engage attendees using the conference app ScanHunt gamification

At today’s medical and scientific conferences, keeping attendees energized is no easy task. But event apps like EventPilot allow meeting planners to easily deliver more interactive experiences. EventPilot’s ScanHunt Gamification is one of the easiest pieces of event technology you can use — and it’s way more exciting than your typical “scan-and-go” expo passport game.

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Themed Learning Journeys

Create a ScanHunt trail tied to your educational tracks. Attendees collect “knowledge badges” by scanning codes at select sessions, posters, and panels. It’s a fun way to guide them deeper into your conference program.

Spotlight Exhibitor Challenges

Instead of every booth being a stop, highlight key sponsors or the newest innovations. Add a quick trivia question that prompts attendees to engage with booth staff — encouraging real conversations, not just point collecting.

Session Loyalty Rewards

Place event gamification QR codes at the end of key sessions to reward conference attendees who stay until the end, even as crowds start to thin — ideal for those last-day afternoon slots.

Lunch Table Conversation Starters

Place clues on lunch tables that hint at hidden QR codes at the venue. Instead of everyone silently staring at their mobile phones, the treasure hunt clue sparks conversations and connections.

Wellness and Movement Hunts

Turn wellness into a game at your medical conference. Place codes at stairwells, hydration stations, or quiet zones. Reward healthy habits and exploration with bonus points.

Scientific Poster Explorations

Create clues about late-breaking research or featured researchers. Attendees must track down the correct scientific poster with the QR code to earn points, turning exploration into a fun, educational challenge.

Expert Networking

Print a QR code on the back of expert or speaker badges for those open to networking. Attendees who spot and scan these special badges earn points — creating organic conversation starters and making it easier to connect with key thought leaders.

Sponsor Passport with Depth

Level up the expo passport game. Require attendees to watch a demo or ask a question at a sponsor booth before scanning. It’s up to the booth staff to take advantage of the opportunity.

Social Media Photo Missions

Encourage attendees to post a photo on social media, then find event staff wearing badges with a special QR code on the back. To earn points, attendees must show their post to staff and scan the code — turning photo sharing into a fun, in-person interaction.

Expo Hall Traffic Boost

Place high-value QR codes in quieter areas in the exhibit hall to pull meeting attendees toward back booths — a smart way to boost traffic and help exhibitors in less busy spots.

Survey Completion Incentive

Set up onsite survey stations—once conference attendees submit their feedback, display a QR code on the screen they can scan to earn points, boosting both responses and engagement.

Member Education

Pose a history question—“In what year was our first meeting?”—then direct attendees to the booth bearing that year to collect their points.

Best strategies for a winning conference scavenger hunt game

Warm-Up Pre-Conference

Hide a QR code on your event website and prompt attendees to scan it with their phones in the app—earning points and building excitement before the conference even begins.

Generate Revenue

Offer a limited sponsorship—up to 10 booths—where exhibitors pay a minimum of $1,000 to participate in the conference game, creating exclusive visibility and driving additional sponsor revenue for your organization.

Promote the Event Game

Live leaderboards, clues on lunch tables, printed gameplay tips on the back of badges, and a ScanHunt QR code at badge pickup help kick off early engagement.

Streamline Activities

Cap your event gamification activities at 50 tasks or fewer. A concise list prevents attendee fatigue, maintains focus on learning, and ensures each activity feels meaningful rather than a chore.

Set Time Windows

Make each QR code valid only during its scheduled time slot—so to earn points for the reception, conference attendees must scan while it’s happening, not stumble on an old code later.

Offer Catch-Up Bonuses

Award increasing points for ScanHunt activities later in the conference, so meeting attendees who missed early sessions or time limited activities can catch up and stay in the game.

Amp Up Incentives

Deploy tiered rewards and daily giveaways—think mini drones, complimentary future registrations or memberships, and VIP coffee chats with your president. Creative, high-value perks don’t require a huge budget.

Celebrate Champions

Announce conference ScanHunt gamification winners with in-app alerts, session shout-outs, and social media posts. Display leaderboards across the meeting venue and share winner photos to keep excitement going.

Monitor & Adapt

Use real-time ScanHunt analytics to track which activities are hot or hiding in the shadows. Add new activities on the fly in the conference app builder to keep engagement balanced and dynamic.

Get your Game On! Use ScanHunt in Your Event Technology Strategy

EventPilot’s ScanHunt gamification makes it easy to drive attendee behavior, increase time spent in your conference app, and provide value to exhibitors and sponsors. It’s fully integrated, works offline, and captures analytics you can use to demonstrate ROI to stakeholders.

Ready to create an unforgettable experience? Plan a ScanHunt that challenges, entertains, and educates — and watch your attendee engagement soar.

Try the game

ScanHunt install app from Apple App Store or Google Play Store

1. Install app ScanHunt

Install the app on your mobile Android or iOS device.

Use code PLAY to try the ScanHunt event gamification free

2. Enter code PLAY

When you create your own game, you define your own code.

Free event game play - try scanning this sample QR code

3. Log in and scan

Scan the QR code to collect points.

Start your own mobile scavenger hunt app – add activities and points