How To Boost Employee Engagement And Retention At Your Corporate Events With A Trivia Host
- Oct 14, 2024
- 5 min read
Written by Mark Corona, Speaker & Game Show Host
Mark Corona is an international Speaker and Game Show Host focused on employee and customer retention. As the Chief Border Agent and co-founder of Slowjamastan, a satirical nation boasting over 20,000 citizens worldwide, Mark’s mission is simple: Retain, engage and entertain.
When it comes to creating unforgettable corporate events, there’s one thing that stands out above the rest—engagement. But how do you get employees to stop scrolling through their phones, lean forward in their seats, and actually connect with each other? The answer is simple: live trivia.
As an international trivia host with years of radio and live hosting experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with top brands like Mattel, MPI, Marriott, and Toshiba to engage their employees and create memorable experiences. Through trivia, I’ve seen departments that barely speak come together, fostering stronger communication, camaraderie, and most importantly—retention.
Let’s take a deeper dive into how trivia can be the game-changer your next corporate event needs.
Why trivia works: Entertainment meets engagement
Let’s face it—corporate events can be a drag if you don’t keep things lively. PowerPoints and speeches only go so far in terms of engagement. Trivia, however, is a unique tool that brings entertainment and engagement together in one exciting package.
When employees participate in a trivia game, they’re not just sitting back and listening—they’re actively involved. Trivia challenges their minds, boosts their energy, and sparks a sense of friendly competition. Plus, it’s fun! Who doesn’t love showing off their knowledge of random facts? Suddenly, that finance guy who barely speaks to marketing is shouting answers and collaborating with the team.
In every trivia event I host, I create customized questions that reflect your company’s culture, industry, and even your inside jokes. This ensures your employees not only engage with the game but also with your brand message in a way that sticks.
Building community: Trivia breaks down silos
One of the biggest challenges in any large company is the existence of silos—departments that don’t communicate with each other. This lack of communication can create inefficiencies, reduce collaboration, and even lead to employee disengagement. But with live trivia, those silos start to break down.
In trivia, people from different departments come together in teams, collaborating to answer questions that require a variety of knowledge. As they laugh, joke, and work together to win, they begin to see their colleagues in a new light. I’ve seen this time and time again: after a single trivia event, teams that barely interacted before are suddenly better acquainted and more willing to communicate in the workplace.
At past events for clients like Toshiba and MPI, employees left the trivia session not only feeling entertained but also better connected. By fostering these connections, trivia builds a stronger, more unified company culture.
Fostering retention: How trivia keeps employees engaged
Engagement is more than just getting employees involved for a few hours—it’s about making a lasting impact. This is where trivia as a retention tool truly shines. When employees feel connected to each other and to your company, they’re more likely to stay long-term.
As someone who has spent decades in radio and live hosting, I’ve mastered the art of keeping audiences hooked. It’s not just about the questions; it’s about the energy I bring, the fun I inject into the experience, and the way I get people involved—whether they want to or not!
In fact, at Mattel and Marriott events, we implemented regular trivia games as part of employee engagement programs. These recurring sessions gave employees something to look forward to, creating an ongoing sense of excitement and boosting overall morale. The results? Happier employees and higher retention rates.
When employees feel appreciated and engaged, they’re more likely to stick around—and trivia is a simple yet powerful way to ensure that happens.
A trivia host who knows engagement inside and out
Hosting trivia is one thing; keeping an audience truly engaged is another. Having spent over 25 years in radio and as a live event host, I understand what it takes to captivate an audience. Whether in a small boardroom or a ballroom packed with hundreds of employees, I know how to command attention, create an interactive environment, and make every participant feel like they’re part of the experience.
And it’s not just about hosting—I’m also a speaker. I incorporate trivia into my speaking engagements, using it as a retention method to demonstrate the power of engagement in a fun and unforgettable way. This combination of speaking and interactive trivia is perfect for corporate planners looking to offer something beyond the usual lecture format.
Related article: Employee Engagement Specialist
Real results with big brands: Mattel, MPI, Toshiba, and more
Over the years, I’ve worked with major brands like Mattel, MPI, Marriott, and Toshiba to bring the magic of trivia to their corporate events. The impact? Increased engagement, better communication, and improved retention across the board.
Here’s a quick example: At a corporate event for Mattel, I designed a customized trivia game that featured questions about the company’s history, products, and pop culture. Employees from all departments participated, from marketing to product development, working together to showcase their knowledge. Not only did the event receive rave reviews, but Mattel also saw a measurable boost in team collaboration after the trivia session.
With MPI, we took trivia global, hosting virtual events that connected employees across different countries. These trivia games not only entertained but also helped forge bonds between teams that had previously only interacted through emails. Trivia is truly a universal engagement tool, whether in person or online.
Ready to engage your team with live trivia?
If you’re a corporate planner, meeting organizer, or CEO looking to create a memorable, high-energy event that brings your employees together, trivia might just be the solution you’re looking for. With years of experience, international recognition, and a knack for turning ordinary meetings into unforgettable experiences, I’m ready to bring live trivia to your next event.
Whether you’re looking for a trivia host to spice up your corporate meeting or a speaker who knows how to entertain and engage through trivia, I’m here to help. Let’s break down silos, boost engagement, and foster a sense of community within your organization.
Ready to get started? Contact me today to book your next trivia event and give your employees an experience they’ll never forget!
Read more from Mark Corona
Mark Corona, Speaker & Game Show Host
Mark Corona delivers high-impact employee and customer retention solutions by combining interactive trivia, positive video messages, and creative engagement strategies. As a national game show host and co-founder of Slowjamastan, Mark blends fun with proven techniques to create memorable experiences that drive loyalty and lasting connections.
