How to keep attendees engaged and combat decision fatigue?
**How to keep attendees engaged and combat decision fatigue?**
Short answer: Reduce and personalize choices up front, guide attendees to a focused agenda with AI-driven recommendations and timed nudges, simplify discovery with curated catalogs and goal-based agendas, and use automated, segmented communications plus in-app engagement to keep attention focused and reduce overload.
Why this works and how to do it (actionable tactics)
- Use AI to narrow options and assemble a full, relevant agenda (e.g., “Fill My Day”) so attendees aren’t overwhelmed by hundreds of choices. [Introducing Event Advisor](https://certain.com/blog/introducing-certain-event-advisor)
- Start recommendations at registration by asking goal-oriented questions so agendas and suggestions already have momentum before the event. [Introducing Event Advisor](https://certain.com/blog/introducing-certain-event-advisor)
- Present curated catalogs and themed tracks (clear, modern session catalogs) so attendees can discover relevant content quickly rather than scanning everything. [Transform Cold Leads Into Hot Opportunities with Certain](https://certain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/certain-cold-to-hot-opportunities.pdf#page=1)
- Send timed nudges and push notifications when attention is highest to prompt attendance, booth visits, or meetings (reduce indecision by surfacing the right option at the right time). [Introducing Event Advisor](https://certain.com/blog/introducing-certain-event-advisor)
- Limit visible choices and surface “recommended” or “high-value for you” options rather than every possible session/booth — fewer, clearer choices reduces fatigue. (Covered in event personalization guidance.) [Introducing Event Advisor](https://certain.com/blog/introducing-certain-event-advisor)
- Match and schedule meetings/appointments automatically to remove the back-and-forth and make decision = action. [10001_ce22_wheres_your_event_roi_infographic.pdf](https://certain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/10001_ce22_wheres_your_event_roi_infographic.pdf#page=1)
- Keep attendees informed with automated, segmented messaging so they know what to expect and how to maximize their day (pacing reduces stress). [Transform Cold Leads Into Hot Opportunities with Certain](https://certain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/certain-cold-to-hot-opportunities.pdf#page=1)
- Provide in-app engagement (discussion boards, games, downloadable content) to maintain attention across devices and across the event lifecycle. [Transform Cold Leads Into Hot Opportunities with Certain](https://certain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/certain-cold-to-hot-opportunities.pdf#page=1)
- Turn behavior into follow-up signals (track sessions, booths, connections) so you can prioritize outreach after the event and measure what content actually drove engagement. [From Attendee to Advocate](https://certain.com/resource/attendee-to-advocate)
Sources
- [Introducing Event Advisor: How AI Is Transforming Event Personalization](https://certain.com/blog/introducing-certain-event-advisor)
- [Event Center For Marketers and Event Planners (On-Demand sessions)](https://certain.com/event-type/on-demand)
- [Transform Cold Leads Into Hot Opportunities with Certain (PDF)](https://certain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/certain-cold-to-hot-opportunities.pdf#page=1)
- [Where's Your Event ROI? (Infographic PDF)](https://certain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/10001_ce22_wheres_your_event_roi_infographic.pdf#page=1)
- [From Attendee to Advocate: Mastering Buyer Engagement at Events with AI & Event Intelligence](https://certain.com/resource/attendee-to-advocate)
What type of event are you planning (in-person, virtual, or hybrid)?