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Managing Icebreakers

Set up conversation starters that help attendees network and connect with each other at your event.

Overview​

Icebreakers are pre-written messages that attendees can use to start conversations with other event participants. They reduce social friction and encourage networking.

Access: Event Settings → Networking Settings

What they do:

  • Provide conversation starters for shy or uncertain attendees
  • Set a friendly, professional tone for networking
  • Make it easy to initiate connections
  • Encourage structured, purposeful networking

How attendees use them:

  • Select an icebreaker from a list
  • Send it to another attendee with one click
  • Start a conversation without awkwardness
Minimum Required

Your event must have at least 1 icebreaker. You cannot save your event settings without at least one icebreaker message.

Creating Icebreakers​

How to Add an Icebreaker​

  1. Go to Event Settings
  2. Scroll to Networking Settings section
  3. Find Icebreaker Messages subsection
  4. Click + Add Message button
  5. Enter your message (minimum 10 characters)
  6. Click Add
  7. The icebreaker appears in your list
  8. Click Save Changes to save your icebreakers

Field requirements:

  • Message - Minimum 10 characters, no maximum
  • Should be friendly, professional, and encourage conversation

Examples of effective icebreakers:

  • "Hi! I noticed we're both interested in similar sessions. Would you like to connect?"
  • "I saw your profile and thought we might have great conversation material!"
  • "What sessions are you most excited about at this event?"
  • "I'd love to hear about your work in [topic]!"
  • "Are you attending the session on [topic]? Would love to discuss it!"

Managing Icebreakers​

Editing an Icebreaker​

  1. Find the icebreaker in your list
  2. Click the Edit button (pencil icon) or three-dot menu → Edit
  3. Modify the message text
  4. Click Save in the modal
  5. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page

Deleting an Icebreaker​

  1. Find the icebreaker in your list
  2. Click the three-dot menu → Delete
  3. The icebreaker is removed from the list
  4. Click Save Changes to finalize

Constraint: You must keep at least 1 icebreaker. You cannot delete the last one.

Reordering Icebreakers​

Desktop: Click and drag the drag handle (six dots) to reorder

Mobile: Long-press an icebreaker card, then drag to reorder

Why order matters:

  • Order determines how icebreakers appear to attendees
  • Put most relevant or popular options first
  • Consider the tone progression (friendly → professional)

Saving Changes​

Important: Changes to icebreakers require clicking Save Changes.

How it works:

  1. Make any changes (add, edit, delete, reorder)
  2. Save Changes and Cancel buttons appear at the bottom
  3. Click Save Changes to apply all modifications
  4. Or click Cancel to discard all changes

Until you save:

  • Changes are not applied
  • Attendees see the old icebreakers
  • Navigating away discards changes

Icebreaker Best Practices​

Writing Effective Icebreakers​

Good icebreakers:

  • Are friendly and welcoming
  • Reference the event or shared context
  • Open-ended (encourage response)
  • Brief enough to read quickly
  • Professional but not formal
  • Inclusive and positive

Examples:

  • ✓ "What brings you to this event? I'd love to learn more about your work!"
  • ✓ "I saw we have similar interests. Would you like to connect?"
  • ✓ "Are you attending any sessions on [topic]? Let's chat about it!"

Avoid:

  • ✗ "Hi" (too brief, not engaging)
  • ✗ "Let's network" (too vague)
  • ✗ Very long messages (over 200 characters)
  • ✗ Overly casual or unprofessional language
  • ✗ Messages that sound like spam or sales pitches

How Many Icebreakers?​

Recommended: 5-10 icebreakers

Why this range:

  • Provides variety without overwhelming attendees
  • Covers different networking situations
  • Allows for different tones and approaches
  • Keeps the selection scannable

You can have:

  • Minimum: 1 (required)
  • Maximum: No hard limit (unlimited)
  • Practical limit: 15-20 before it becomes too many

Types of Icebreakers to Include​

Mix different approaches:

  1. Interest-based

    • "I noticed we're both interested in [topic]. Would you like to connect?"

  2. Session-based

    • "Are you attending the session on [topic]? Let's discuss!"

  3. General networking

    • "I'd love to hear about your work. Can we connect?"

  4. Event-specific

    • "What are you hoping to get out of this event?"

  5. Profile-based

    • "I saw your background in [field] and would love to learn more!"

Tailoring to Your Event​

Consider your event type:

Professional Conference:

  • More formal, industry-focused
  • Reference sessions, speakers, topics
  • Emphasize learning and knowledge-sharing

Networking Event:

  • Emphasize connections and relationships
  • Focus on common interests
  • Encourage ongoing conversation

Workshop/Training:

  • Focus on learning together
  • Emphasize collaboration
  • Reference skills or topics being taught

Community Event:

  • More casual and friendly
  • Emphasize shared interests or values
  • Build community feeling

Common Scenarios​

Scenario 1: Setting Up Icebreakers for a New Event​

Goal: Create a good set of icebreakers before launch

Steps:

  1. Go to Event Settings → Networking Settings
  2. Click "+ Add Message" for each icebreaker
  3. Create 5-8 varied messages:
    • 2 interest-based
    • 2 session-based
    • 2 general networking
    • 1-2 event-specific
  4. Reorder them from most to least relevant
  5. Click "Save Changes"

Scenario 2: Updating Icebreakers During an Event​

Goal: Add more relevant icebreakers based on event activity

Steps:

  1. Monitor which sessions or topics are most popular
  2. Add new icebreakers referencing those topics
  3. Example: "The AI panel was fascinating! Did you attend? Let's discuss!"
  4. Reorder to put new ones near the top
  5. Save changes

Scenario 3: Refreshing Icebreakers for Different Event Types​

Goal: Tailor icebreakers to match event format

Professional Tech Conference:

  • "What technologies are you most excited to learn about?"
  • "I saw your background in [tech area]. Would love to connect!"
  • "Are you attending the keynote on [topic]? Let's chat after!"

Casual Networking Meetup:

  • "Hey! What brings you to this meetup?"
  • "I'd love to hear about what you're working on!"
  • "Have you been to one of these before? Let's connect!"

Scenario 4: Fixing Low-Quality Icebreakers​

Goal: Improve icebreakers that aren't working well

Signs of poor icebreakers:

  • Too short or vague
  • Sound spammy or sales-y
  • Don't relate to the event
  • Too formal or too casual for your audience

Fix:

  1. Review your current icebreakers
  2. Edit weak ones to be more specific and engaging
  3. Delete any that don't fit your event
  4. Add new ones based on best practices
  5. Save changes

Scenario 5: Accidentally Deleted All Icebreakers​

Goal: Recover from deleting all icebreakers

What happens:

  • You can't delete the last icebreaker (protected)
  • If you try to save with zero, you'll get an error
  • "At least one icebreaker message is required"

Solution:

  • The validation prevents saving with zero
  • Keep at least one, then edit or replace it

Troubleshooting​

Can't Save Without an Icebreaker​

Problem: Error message "At least one icebreaker message is required"

Solution:

  • You must have at least 1 icebreaker
  • Add a new icebreaker before deleting the last one
  • Or keep the last one and edit it instead

Changes Not Saving​

Problem: Modified icebreakers but attendees don't see changes

Solutions:

  • Make sure you clicked Save Changes at the bottom
  • Changes are not applied until you save
  • Check for validation errors preventing save
  • Try refreshing the page and check if changes persisted

Message Too Short Error​

Problem: "Icebreaker message must be at least 10 characters"

Solution:

  • Icebreakers must be at least 10 characters long
  • Expand your message to be more descriptive
  • Example: "Hi!" → "Hi! I'd love to connect and chat!"

Can't Delete an Icebreaker​

Problem: Delete option not working

Solutions:

  • If it's the last icebreaker, you can't delete it (minimum 1 required)
  • Add a new one first, then delete the old one
  • Check your permissions (must be admin or organizer)
  • Make sure to click "Save Changes" after deleting

Drag-and-Drop Not Working​

Problem: Can't reorder icebreakers

Solutions:

  • On desktop: Click and hold the drag handle (six dots)
  • On mobile: Long-press the card, then drag
  • Make sure you're clicking/pressing on the drag handle, not the text
  • Try refreshing the page if still not working

Best Practices Summary​

Writing​

Do:

  • Keep messages friendly and professional
  • Reference the event or shared context
  • Make messages 50-150 characters (sweet spot)
  • Use open-ended questions
  • Be inclusive and positive

Don't:

  • Make them too short (< 10 characters won't save)
  • Make them too long (> 200 characters hard to read)
  • Sound spammy or sales-y
  • Use overly casual slang
  • Make assumptions about attendees

Management​

Do:

  • Create 5-10 icebreakers for variety
  • Tailor to your event type and audience
  • Review and update before each event
  • Put most relevant ones first
  • Save changes after modifications

Don't:

  • Delete all icebreakers (minimum 1 required)
  • Forget to click "Save Changes"
  • Use identical or very similar messages
  • Create 20+ options (overwhelming)

Strategy​

Before event:

  • Set up 5-10 icebreakers
  • Test them with your team
  • Make sure they reflect event tone and topics

During event:

  • Monitor which topics are popular
  • Add icebreakers referencing trending sessions
  • Update outdated references

After event:

  • Review which icebreakers work well
  • Save successful ones for future events
  • Update for next event's topics
Icebreaker Strategy

Create 6-8 icebreakers: 2 general networking messages, 2-3 referencing specific sessions or topics, 2 based on shared interests, and 1 event-specific. Order them from most to least relevant, and update during the event as topics trend.