Breakout sessions are another way to help attendees relax before refocusing on the main presentation. Offer a break from passive listeningīecause attendees can tire from long hours of passive listening, many conferences schedule meals and short rest periods. Participants can learn something new and gain new perspectives from other members, which can help them better understand the material and feel a sense of community.

They might share ideas they thought of during the presentation or ask questions if something was unclear. Related: Encourage Participation in Team Meetings With This Agenda Facilitate in-depth discussionsĭuring a breakout session, groups can discuss the conference's topics in more detail. The group hears what the participants have to say, and the conference coordinators may even collect their comments to use them in the broader discussion. In a breakout session, everyone gets the chance to share their ideas in front of a less intimidating audience. Here are some benefits of hosting breakout sessions: Encourage participationĪttendees may feel more comfortable participating in a smaller group rather than a larger group. Virtual breakout sessions use breakout room functions in online conferencing tools, giving them a similar sense of privacy to talk to their fellow group members. Once they complete their breakout sessions, groups can reconvene in the main gathering area. This privacy allows groups to facilitate meaningful discussions while minimizing distractions. To facilitate in-person breakout sessions, conference leaders send attendees to different areas of the venue. Note that you may hear people refer to breakout sessions as breakout workshops or meetings.īreakout sessions can occur in person or virtually. Conferences tend to organize several breakout sessions, ensuring each group is small enough to encourage participation from all attendees. During these sessions, participants may also complete an activity or listen to a presentation to learn more about a relevant topic. What is a breakout session?Ī breakout session is a short meeting where participants of a larger meeting have more detailed discussions in a smaller group. In this article, we define what a breakout session is and discuss its benefits, types and provide tips for implementing one in your next meeting. These more intimate meetings allow them to have in-depth discussions with peers, ask questions and meet new people. One way to accomplish this is through breakout sessions, which occur when meeting attendees separate into smaller groups. Conference leaders often look for ways to make their meetings more engaging.

Session meaning