How to get your Guests to Mingle! An Idea from the Party Goddess!

October 10th, 2007 | Unique Ideas

Well, today I’m proud once again to have some great party planning tips from Marley Majcher, The Party Goddess from Pasadena California. Majcher has orchestrated parties for the season opening of the Hollywood Bowl, the Critics Choice Awards, celebrities she can’t mention, as well as exclusive dinner parties and corporate outings. She is also a professional wedding planner and even if your not from the LA area she is also willing to travel!

Here’s an idea from Marley to get your guests to mingle…

The Goal: To get a large group (approximately 100+ people) to mingle beyond the hello my name-is-Joe usual awkwardness while really enjoying themselves in a fun environment, without spending tons of money on outside entertainment. Tough.

How They Pulled It Off: Upon checking in, guests were given a pencil and bingo card printed with 4 columns across and 5 columns down. Each box had things in it like “Had two parents who attended USC” or “Graduated after 1984″ or “Graduated before 1966″ or “Member of the Board of Regents” or “Speaks more than one language”. You get the picture. Each guest had to write in the name of a person at the event that fit the bill. Some were easy like finding people who spoke more than one language, but finding a Board of Regents’ member was a little tougher.

Born with a competitive streak, I zipped around that party like an Easter bunny on crack. I met more new people that night than I think I ever have. Why? Because it was fun. Even the uber-confident have trouble walking into a party by themselves and striking up a conversation more involved than “Nice shrimp, hugh?” The bingo provided a networking excuse, a fun activity and actually got guests to just hang out and chat without the usual quick duck and run. This game could be adapted to any kind of event where you want people to interact.

Thanks Marley for letting me use this!

Any other icebreaking ideas out there?