Virtual meetings are common place as the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the way we work and interact with others. Virtual meetings do not have to consist of someone speaking at you the entire time. They can be interactive and engaging by using breakout rooms while minimizing the fatigue attendees often experience with large virtual events.
What are Breakout Rooms?
Breakout rooms are a powerful option to split attendees (either manually or automatically) into smaller groups for a more interactive experience. Each room has audio, video, screen sharing, chat and recording capabilities.
How to Use Them
Breakout rooms can be used to:
- Get to know meeting participants via small ice breakers in a more intimate setting
- Facilitate small group activities like brainstorming sessions or discussions
- Beak a larger conference or summit into more specific programming or tracks
- Host smaller committees as part of a larger board meeting
- Reflect on a larger presentation in smaller groups
As the meeting host, you can send updates to each room, jump in and out of specific rooms and bring everyone back to the larger meeting. Conversations are specific to each room and can be accessed at later time in most virtual meeting platforms.
Zoom currently offers breakout rooms and allows the host to create up to 50 breakout rooms with a maximum of 200 participants per room (requires Large meeting add-on).
Microsoft Teams is launching breakout rooms in mid-November, 2020. This is one of the most sought after features within Teams. Hosts can create up to 50 breakout rooms.
Finally, you should test out breakout rooms on your platform of choice before you use it. This will help you become more accustomed to the technology ahead of time.
Ticket Falcon works seamlessly with Zoom and Microsoft Teams’ breakout rooms functionality to help you collect RSVPs, sell tickets and raise money for your virtual and hybrid event. Schedule a free demo or create your next event today.
