How This Company Is Successfully Revamping the Old-Fashioned Event Ice Breaker

JabberYak founder Gail LevinthalPhoto: Courtesy of JabberYakAttendees are the lifeblood of events. Without guests, there would be no one to participate in the activations, enjoy the entertainment, sip on the curated cocktails or experience the magic event professionals work so tirelessly to create. However, one of the most tried-and-true–yet occasionally forgotten-about–methods of increasing attendee engagement is facilitating connection and conversation between guests themselves.

As technology has challenged the art of face-to-face interaction, Gail Levinthal sought to fill the gap as live events returned—and in October 2021 founded JabberYak, a unique ice-breaking experience designed to get conversation flowing by connecting guests with similar interests.

Prior to an event, attendees will receive a JabberYak link in their email inbox prompting them to select seven personal interests from an extensive list on an event-specific template, which are then printed on name tags, T-shirts or badges and worn to the gathering. “This visual cue allows individuals to know something relevant about someone else before the first word is even exchanged,” Levinthal explains.

Dubbed the “seven degrees of interest concept,” Levinthal says “the idea is that, given the opportunity, people will connect and identify with at least one out of seven interests,” thus prompting opportunities for interaction between guests “the old-fashioned way–talking, without relying on personal devices.”

The CEO notes that she finds “going back to the basics is the best approach. You can provide the best food, entertainment and decor, but if an individual attending a function does not make a quality connection, for them it is not a positive experience.”Levinthal says that the concept was designed to increase attendee engagement “the old-fashioned way–talking, without relying on personal devices.”Photo: Courtesy of JabberYak

Levinthal was inspired to jumpstart JabberYak by her own social anxieties. “I was that person who felt vulnerable and awkward,” she recalls, and toyed with the idea of using technology to help feel more comfortable socializing, but ultimately found “that the key was to simplify.”

The seven personal interests guests select prior to an event from JabberYak's extensive list are printed on name tags, T-shirts or badges and worn to an event in efforts to spark conversation between two guests with common interests.Photo: Courtesy of JabberYakThe proof? A T-shirt Levinthal’s son wore while on a family vacation, which donned the name of the medical school he attended. “He was approached by so many people who simply identified with the logo on his shirt, which triggered a friendly, on-topic conversation,” Levinthal says. “And so an idea that had long been incubating was born!”

Now, JabberYak also offers a free online event registration tool to complement its offerings. It minimizes the hassle of signing up to attend an event, processing payments or donations, and gathering attendee information the day-of—which leaves room for more face-to-face chit-chat.

And to further assist organizers, there’s an Analytics Dashboard, which provides a comprehensive report of guests’ interests selections. The dashboard is made available prior to an event so planners can craft relevant activities and experiences geared towards what they know their attendees enjoy.

“We are constantly evolving by listening and reacting to the needs of our customers as well as the changing market. We have (also) added new products that carry our concept into the work environment and hospitality industry,” Levinthal says, referencing JabberYak’s office name plates, which serve as the ultimate team-building tool by allowing workers to know more about each other and inspire office camaraderie.