Breakout session
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Breakout session (called also as a breakout meeting or workshop session) a workshop or short seminar that take place during large conference or symposium in which participants discuss particular topics related to the general theme of the conference. Sessions occur simultaneously with all participants gathered in a small group for a certain period of time before returning to the conference.
All attendees are interested in the same subject and want to deepen the chosen knowledge base. Breakout meetings allow attendees to take discussions to a more detailed level and reflect on those topics in more specialized and intimate setting (Build a Better Program Agenda With Breakout Sessions 2019).
Breakout session can be also used as a preparation for the entire conference. During the meeting participants create list of questions that will be used during the conference or they make a report.
Advantages of breaking sessions
Short sessions can give people many opportunities (Everything you need to know for killer conference breakout sessions 2018):
- By organizing sessions during an event, audience can choose topic related to the whole theme of conference which they find the most interesting and learn more about it. So that, audience is much more engaged.
- Meetings give people opportunities to share their knowledge and personal opinions with others and they can make new connections, which may be useful in the future.
- Sessions can involve disparate levels of knowledge of some topic. The audience can learn topic from initial to advanced level, step-by-step. After all they will understand the topic deeper and they will broaden their horizons.
- Sessions give audience add value to their experience and knowledge, they leave conference with positive feeling of learning something relevant to them.
- All participants can behave more actively and feel more comfortable in smaller group that in front of the entire audience. Dynamic exchange of knowledge can lead to a productive and fruitful meeting.
- Conference organizers have a possibility to meet needs and opinions of their attendees
The most popular mistake in planning breaking session is an unclear objective. Without clearly defined aim it is almost impossible to create a useful and well-organised discussion (Build a Better Program Agenda With Breakout Sessions 2019).
Ways how to enrich breakout workshops
There are many different ways for speakers to make session more interesting, engaging and interactive. Here are some tips to get more attention of the audience (5 ways to breathe new life into stale breakout sessions 2019):
- Collaborating with speakers, integrating with them
- Figuring out what audience really want
- Adapting meetings to the main target (establishing goals which will be clear to everyone
- Integrating new ways of dealing
- Preparing the room to facilitate attendees their conversations
- Using new technology such as social media to simplify and streamline a workshop
Examples of Breakout session
- Brainstorming sessions: A breakout session in which a team of people gather together to think of creative and innovative new ideas for a project or task.
- Problem-solving sessions: A breakout session in which a group of people come together to discuss and identify possible solutions to a problem or issue.
- Networking sessions: A breakout session in which participants have the opportunity to meet and get to know other people in their field or industry.
- Training sessions: A breakout session in which participants learn new skills or techniques related to their profession.
- Role-playing sessions: A breakout session in which participants simulate different scenarios or situations in order to gain a better understanding of the different roles and responsibilities involved.
Limitations of Breakout session
Breakout sessions can be a great way to engage large groups in discussion of important topics, but there are some limitations to consider. Below are some of the limitations of breakout sessions:
- Time constraints: Breakout sessions typically have a limited amount of time to run, making it difficult to delve deeply into complex topics.
- Group size: Depending on the size of the conference, breakout sessions may be limited to a small group of people, making it difficult to include a wide variety of perspectives.
- Inattentiveness: In a large conference setting, it can be difficult to keep attendees engaged and focused on the topic at hand.
- Lack of structure: Without a facilitator to guide the conversation, breakout sessions can become disorganized or unfocused.
- Difficulty replicating: Breakout sessions are usually one-time events, making it difficult to replicate the results or gain insights from the discussion.
A Breakout session can be approached in various ways:
- Brainstorming - to generate a wide range of ideas and solutions to a specific problem.
- Fishbowl Discussion - to explore a topic in-depth and to provide an opportunity for participants to share their expertise and insights.
- Role-playing - to practice and develop skills related to the topic of discussion.
- Fishbone Diagram - to explore a problem in detail and identify the potential causes of it.
- Group Problem-Solving - to create a strategy and plan of action to address a particular issue.
In conclusion, a Breakout session provides a platform for participants to collaborate, exchange ideas, and develop solutions to a particular problem. It is an effective way to gain new perspectives and create innovative solutions.
References
- Ferry J. (2005), 5 ways to breathe new life into stale breakout sessions, Northstar Travel Group.
- Hard R. (2019), Build a Better Program Agenda With Breakout Sessions, The Balance Small Business.
- Moreno J. (2018), Everything you need to know for killer conference breakout sessions, Endless events.
- What Is a Breakout Session?, Evenues (2019).
- Pizam A. (2010), Basics Site ManagInternational Encyclopedia of Hospitality Managementement, Butterworth-Heinemann.
Author: Agata Drabik
