9 Conference Ice Breaker and Energiser Ideas for 2026

Boomwhackers is a conference energiser that involves creating music with the unique musical instruments called Boomwhackers. Boomwhackers are percussion tubes which can be struck together or against a surface to create musical notes. The tubes are lightweight and colour-coded to represent all the musical notes. When played in unison, they create musical magic! Guided by a Boomwhacker expert, your conference attendees will learn how to play these fun and simple instruments. The result? Your conference is instantly transformed into sea of colour whilst teams work in perfect harmony to create a musical masterpiece.

Making music together through Boomwhackers creates a shared goal, inspires creativity and provides a fun music lesson that is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on your participants’ memories. This entertaining conference ice breaker or energiser is suitable for any conference, no matter the size or seating arrangements and is sure to delight your guests and invigorate your conference. Get in touch with our team to incorporate Boomwhackers into your next conference!

If you’re looking for a high-energy conference activity which will push your participants out of their comfort zone, the Haka is the perfect choice! The Haka is a unique group performance which involves rhythmic movements like feet stomping and chest slapping, aggressive facial expressions and load chanting. This vigorous dance originates from the ceremonial Māori traditions which were performed by the tribe people when going to war. Nowadays, the Haka is famously performed before rugby matches in New Zealand.

As a conference energiser, the Haka fosters confidence, motivation and solidarity. Our Haka team building activity fits any conference type and size and is run by Māori descent performers, so you know you are getting a 100% authenticity. Alongside a powerful Haka performance which is guaranteed to energise your audience, the session also includes an informative walk-through of what Haka truly is and its history that will leave your guests with an appreciation for another culture. Get in touch to find out more about this conference activity and to request a quote.

Dustbins, car wheels and drainpipes: some may call this junk, but we call it Junk Funk. Junk Funk is a unique conference team building experience which involves creating rhythms and music using random scrap objects as instruments such as saucepans, dustbins and hard hats. Choosing Junk Funk as your conference energiser will not only uplift and motivate your participants but will boost creativity, self-expression and networking.

As your participants join forces, the junk orchestra will quickly come to life in the collaborative act of drumming. If you want to create your own Junk Funk orchestra at your next conference, get in touch with our team for a professional and engaging experience.

Another musical conference activity, Drumming Workshop is a great way to energise and bring your audience together through the creation of music. Suitable for both smaller and larger groups, a Drumming Workshop requires participants to beat their own drum by following the rhythm played by our expert. This fun conference activity encourages active listening, collaboration and communication.

A Drumming Workshop is ideal for an internationally diverse audience as it transcends language barriers and promotes teamwork while creating a unique, tribal atmosphere which is guaranteed to resonate long after the conference concludes. If a Drumming Workshop sounds like the perfect energiser for your conference, we are here to help you bring the rhythm into your event!

If you’re looking for a hands-on conference activity to make your event truly fun and memorable, a Circus Skills workshop could help you amplify the success of your event. Many of us dreamed of being circus performers when we were young, so this conference activity is sure to put a large smile on your participants’ faces!

From juggling and plate spinning to more thrilling activities such as tightrope walking and stilt walking, we can customise your Circus Skills workshop to perfectly fit your conference goals, audience size and venue. Bring all the fun of the circus to your conference and create an interactive and unforgettable experience that will transform your event with the help of GOTO Events!

Bubble Art is a playful, visually striking conference ice breaker for 2026, designed to energise delegates the moment they step into the room. Led by a professional bubble artist, your audience dives into the surprising science behind bubbles: how they form, why they shimmer with rainbow colours, and what makes them stretch, float and hold their shape. With wands, hoops and custom bubble blends, participants experiment hands-on to create everything from tiny iridescent bubbles to spectacular giant spheres drifting through the space. It’s creative, light-hearted, instantly engaging and guaranteed to leave delegates smiling, talking and connecting within minutes.

Get in touch and we’ll send you a tailored proposal in under 45 minutes.

The Self-Massage Workshop is a calming, accessible conference ice breaker that works effortlessly with large audiences and any room setup. Guided by a specialist facilitator, delegates take a short, restorative pause to learn simple but powerful self-massage and myofascial release techniques, paired with gentle breathing exercises to ease tension, improve posture and even alleviate headaches. Whether your delegates are seated in rows, gathered around tables or on mats, the session fits seamlessly into your agenda and requires no equipment. Everyone leaves feeling clearer, more energised and equipped with practical skills, plus a massage ball and a take-home guide to continue the benefits long after the event.

Contact us today and we’ll send you a tailored proposal in under 45 minutes.

If your conference has a fully-packed schedule, consider giving your guests the opportunity to pause and unwind. Yoga is a great conference ice breaker or energiser because it provides a holistic approach to rejuvenating your guests and encourages them to be fully present and immersed in your conference. With a combination of meditation and breath control techniques, it promotes mental clarity and relaxation. This is also a shared experience, so it’s able to create a positive atmosphere, break down barriers and enhance the dynamic of the event.

A Yoga Class is a highly adaptable conference activity which can suit any group size and can even be practiced on theatre style seating. It’s also a fully inclusive activity which can be tailored to any ability, so your conference Yoga Class can focus on breathwork only or can include stretching and movement too. With a dedicated and certified yoga instructor and fully customisable packages, GOTO Events can help you harness the benefits of mindfulness and yoga, to ensure an effective conference ice breaker or energiser!

For a successful and unforgettable conference in 2026, organisers have to focus on inclusivity, sustainability, hybrid experiences and gamification.

Investing in accessibility arrangements is crucial, especially if you are holding a large-scale event. From ensuring you have great wheelchair access to on-screen captions, sign language interpreters and pre-sending out agendas, you create a welcoming environment for everyone, even those who may be reluctant to request them.

Embrace emerging technologies to improve the inclusivity of your conference. For example, an anonymous chat functionality could encourage even those participants who don’t like asking questions in front of a large crowd. This will also ensure that you don’t miss out on any questions which is common in large crowds.

Another way of promoting inclusivity within your conference is by having a diverse range of content, speakers and performers. Speakers with varied backgrounds and experiences can provide fresh perspectives, reflect a range of cultures, challenge conventional thinking and inspire problem solving.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is now at the forefront of global discussions and companies need to understand the importance of not only adopting sustainable practices into how they conduct their business but extending these to their corporate events. During the planning process of your next conference, you must ask yourself: “How can I make my conference more sustainable?”. This can be achieved by minimising waste, reducing energy consumption, using eco-friendly materials and promoting the use of public transport to your event instead of private vehicles. By adopting sustainable practices at your next conference, you will not only reduce your environmental impact, but will gain a positive brand image and set expectation for other companies.

In 2026 participants will expect conferences to adopt a hybrid model with both in-person and virtual sessions so they can benefit from more flexibility and accessibility, saving them time and money on travel, accommodation and other expenses. This approach also provides valuable benefits for organisers such as:

• Wider audience reach
• Increased engagement
• Reduced environmental impact
• Easier access to event analytics