Interactive seminars are team-building activities that encourage communication and cooperation among participants. These types of seminars help to develop strong working or personal relationships among individuals who share a similar mission. Often, interactive seminars are part of retreats or special training sessions that provide an environment away from the day-to-day routine, so that individuals can express themselves and learn from one another in a different way. With proper planning, you can create an interactive seminar that is educational and engaging for all involved.

Determine the number of people that will be attending the seminar, along with the desired goals and objectives from the exercise.

Gather additional information about the organization, as well as the preferences of the group that you will be facilitating. Knowing who you'll be working with and what exactly you want to achieve will play a key role in creating an interactive seminar that addresses the issues of the group.

Structure the interactive seminar so that there is an ice breaker activity during which everyone introduces themselves. If everyone participating already knows one another, conduct an ice breaker in which participants share with the group something about themselves that everyone else may not already know.

Share information about who you are as the seminar facilitator. This will establish your credibility and help the group become comfortable with taking the directions that you give them.

Break up a large group of participants into smaller groups, but give all groups similar assignments. Small-group assignments can include discussing a specific topic or completing a project.

Provide clear directions, along with a specific start and finish time. Monitor the activities of the group or groups and provide input as needed.

Allow seminar participants to talk to one another in their small groups and then to discuss their team experiences in the larger group. Encourage people to ask questions and frequently solicit responses from those who do not readily volunteer.

Tip

Allow for breaks in team-building exercises lasting longer than 45 minutes.

Prevent interactive seminars from becoming too tense by adding humor and fun activities.