Breakout moments at conferences have evolved far beyond their traditional role as a break from the main programming. These smaller, more intimate settings—ranging from thoughtfully designed breakout rooms to curated opportunities for relaxation—create spaces where creativity can truly flourish.
Whether it’s a chance for meaningful discussions, a playful activity that encourages fresh perspectives, or simply a moment to unwind, these offstage experiences often spark the most innovative ideas. See how some conferences have been reimagining these moments to inspire connection and creativity.
At C2 Montreal this past May, breakout rooms were transformed into labs for creative problem-solving. One standout session, led by Shi Diwen Zhu (CEO of Better Being), chef Michael Ho, and NĂĽense co-founders Melissa St-Louis and Fran Delhoume, used the metaphor of preparing a lasagna to explore neurodiversity. This unique approach highlighted inclusion and teamwork, showcasing how collective effort can overcome business challenges. See more: C2 Montreal 2024: How a New Venue Aimed to Inspire Networking and Connection
Photo: Courtesy of C2
Google Cloud’s "Generate" sales kickoff last January brought creativity to life through five immersive worlds designed for dynamic learning and connection. A standout was the (Re)Generate Garden, described by Mia Rovegno, group creative director at event producer Opus Agency, as a "sensory oasis" with the sights and sounds of real trees, enhanced with colorful lighting and immersive soundscapes. "We were pleasantly surprised that this immersive forest was such a hit that people kept returning for intimate conversations and impromptu meetings, engaging in shared experiences they felt welcome to initiate themselves." See more: Most Innovative Meetings 2024: Google Cloud Generate
Photo: Courtesy of Opus Agency
How's this for a cozy mid-conference break? During Hello Sunshine's second annual Shine Away event, held Oct. 5-6 in Los Angeles, attendees could stop by the on-site Reese’s Book Club Bookshop, presented by Sheraton Hotels, to explore all 100 book club selections.
Photo: Mirrored Media/Hello Sunshine
The space, which was outfitted with comfortable couches, allowed guests to engage with some of their favorite authors through book signings and meet-and-greets, while also recharging and getting inspired in between panel sessions. All books were available for sale in partnership with the female-founded Zibby’s Bookshop. Hello Sunshine worked with experiential agency Mirrored Media on the event. See more: How Hello Sunshine Made a 1,250-Person Gathering Feel Like a Close-Knit Community
Photo: Mirrored Media/Hello Sunshine
The 2015 TED Conference in Vancouver brought a playful twist to its lounges, where attendees could watch speaker simulcasts. A standout was the new ball pit, filled with beanbag chairs and beach balls, offering a relaxed and whimsical setting to absorb big ideas while fostering creativity and connection.
Photo: Ryan Lash/TED
At an event as large as the 2018 edition of the IBM Think conference—held in Las Vegas and produced by Drury Design—the 30,000 attendees could use some moments of calm. They found it in a unique breakout moment that also spotlighted the brand's capabilities: The Think Gallery showcased six of IBM’s projects using 18-foot-high digitally mapped video screens that surrounded visitors and allowed them to sit and think about what they were watching. See more: https://www.bizbash.com/bizbash-lists/meetings-conferences/media-gallery/13483268/most-innovative-meetings-2018-2-ibm-think
Photo: Richard Brian/Las Vegas Review-Journal
Here’s a truly unforgettable way to spotlight sustainability: dining in a dumpster. At the 2023 WasteExpo in New Orleans, attendees enjoyed a meal of repurposed leftovers inside a clean, repurposed dumpster on the show floor. Hosted by the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the unique breakout moment underscored the venue’s commitment to sustainability while inspiring attendees to embrace eco-friendly practices in their own lives and businesses. See more: Why This Convention Center Served Lunch Inside a Dumpster
Photo: Courtesy of Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
At C2 Montreal 2015, creativity soared—literally—with "The Nest," a 30-foot-wide, tree-branch structure perched 10 feet above the ground. Participants climbed a ladder into this elevated breakout space, where a moderator facilitated intimate discussions. The journey ended on a playful note, with attendees using a slide to get back to the ground, embodying the conference’s spirit of innovation and fun.
Photo: Sebastien Roy
Another cool breakout room from the 2015 edition of C2 Montreal was the “Cloud of Fog," a 40-foot tentlike structure filled with fog. Groups of seven attendees stood inside and participated in a moderator-led discussion—but they could not see one another. As the session progressed, the participants would take small steps forward, until the end when they were all gathered in the middle and close enough to see one another. Richard St-Pierre, then the president of C2 Montreal, said by removing the ability for participants to see one another, the experience “completely disconnected the person from the persona. Once everybody was out, you would see those groups coming back again to share coffee and such."
Also, did you catch those chairs suspended above? In another breakout, a moderator led guests in a seven-minute discussion of business topics while they sat in chairs suspended inside a net 18 feet in the air. “When you are physically at risk of something, your perception of who you are, the environment, the world, will change. So that’s what we wanted to accomplish,” St-Pierre said. See more: How C2 Montréal Challenged Attendees to Take Risks
Also, did you catch those chairs suspended above? In another breakout, a moderator led guests in a seven-minute discussion of business topics while they sat in chairs suspended inside a net 18 feet in the air. “When you are physically at risk of something, your perception of who you are, the environment, the world, will change. So that’s what we wanted to accomplish,” St-Pierre said. See more: How C2 Montréal Challenged Attendees to Take Risks
Photo: Sebastien Roy
At the 2020 edition of GO WEST—a conference for event and meeting professionals produced by Timewise Event Management—five themed breakout rooms created an immersive learning environment for attendees. A playground-themed room, for example, offered swing chairs and other colorful seating options, allowing guests to choose which setup was most comfortable and inspiring for them.
Photo: Leblond Studio Inc.
The playground-themed room also let attendees host small breakout sessions while seated in a ball pit.
Photo: Leblond Studio Inc.
GO WEST 2020 also embraced creativity with its "Darkroom" breakout session—a pitch-black space where attendees navigated using flashlights. With only the main screen illuminated, the unique environment encouraged focus, curiosity, and a sense of adventure, redefining how immersive learning can take shape. See more: Most Innovative Meetings 2020: #2 GO WEST
Photo: Leblond Studio Inc.
At Workday Rising 2019 in Orlando, creativity thrived in unexpected breakout moments, keeping the 13,000 attendees engaged throughout the large-scale conference. Produced by George P. Johnson Experience Marketing, highlights of the event included the MeetUp Café, where prescheduled topic-focused meetings fostered connection, and the Feedback Lounge, where attendees shared opinions via Post-it notes. For a more introspective pause, the Reflection Room offered meditation, yoga, and sound baths—proving that even at large events, intimate and thoughtful spaces can make a big impact. See more: Most Innovative Meetings 2020: #1 Workday Rising
Photo: Courtesy of George P. Johnson Experience Marketing
At business tech firm SAP’s Sapphire Now conference in 2019, clever breakouts were used to showcase the tech and bring the event’s themes to life. A fun moment came from a technology-equipped basketball court. Offering a break from the event’s more serious moments, participants could shoot baskets from a variety of angles, encouraged and coached by a comedian dressed as a referee. SAP technology provided stats on the players’ abilities and compared them to those of NBA professionals. See more: Most Innovative Meetings 2019: #4 SAP Sapphire Now
Photo: Courtesy of SAP
Sometimes, it’s as simple as offering calming—and colorful—spaces to relax. At Adobe Max in 2018, for example, the event’s 12,000 graphic designers could take a break from sessions in an unconventional space featuring pool floats as chairs—a fun, conversation-sparking moment that helped foster connections among the creative group as they waited for their next panel. See more: Most Innovative Meetings 2018: #1 Adobe Max
Photo: Courtesy of Adobe
What's more creativity-inducing than natural light and fresh air? While your meeting likely isn't taking place on the French Riviera, take a cue from this dreamy meeting room setup from Pinterest. As part of the brand's beachside activation at Cannes Lions in 2022, the Pinterest team and producers Amplify built several meeting rooms set along an adjacent pier. Slatted roofs and siding offered memorable ocean views and cooling breezes. See more: Cannes Lions 2022: How Top Brands Drew Attention at the Jam-Packed Festival of Creativity
Photo: Courtesy of Pinterest
And for the ultimate calming breakout space, look to the Overland Park Convention Center’s dedicated sensory room, open since 2022. Designed by medical professionals, the room features reduced lighting and noise, beanbag chairs, bubble walls, noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, weighted lap pads, and more. Perfect for attendees who feel overstimulated, this thoughtful space proves that sometimes, an unplugged, secure environment is all you need to recharge and return to the conference ready to engage. See more: Tips for Accommodating Neurodiverse Attendees at Your Next Event
Photo: Courtesy of Overland Park Convention Center
