Best Corporate Ice Breakers for Conferences and Meetings

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Starting a conference or meeting on the right note can set the tone for the entire day. That’s where corporate ice breakers come in. Group ice breakers are fun, engaging activities designed to ease initial awkwardness, spark energy and encourage interaction among attendees. They’re especially effective for large groups, creating a shared experience that gets everyone talking and building connections from the get-go.

At GOTO Events, we have a diverse range of mobile ice breaker activities suitable for groups of all sizes, whether you’re looking to kick start a large conference, a business meeting or a staff event. Our business ice breakers are designed to fit seamlessly into your schedule and venue, with fully customisable sessions ranging from 15 minutes to three hours.

Discover five of our top conference ice breakers and energisers to transform your event into an unforgettable experience.

1. Boomwhackers

Boomwhackers is a unique musical activity guaranteed to break the ice naturally. Studies show that music stimulates the brain’s reward system, helping to reduce stress and boost creativity – ideal for uniting large groups at corporate events.

Boomwhackers brings people together as they learn to play these simple, tube-like instruments. Each lightweight, colour-coded Boomwhacker represents a musical note and produces sound when tapped together or against a surface. Played in unison, they create a magical harmony. No musical experience is needed – our expert host will guide everyone step by step, helping the group quickly get in sync.

As the mood lifts and everyone joins in with familiar tunes like We Will Rock You and The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Boomwhackers energises the room, enhancing engagement, communication and teamwork. It’s the perfect meeting ice breaker to set the tone for a successful event.

With flexible sessions to suit your schedule, from quick energisers to more in-depth workshops, we’ll bring Boomwhackers straight to your venue. Get in touch today for expert advice and pricing!

Happy audience playing Boomwhackers

2. Drumming Workshop

Collective drumming is a powerful and proven way to bring people together, using rhythm to synchronise brain activity and strengthen group cohesion. Studies show that rhythmic coordination activates our mirror neurons – the brain cells that help us mimic and connect with others – encouraging empathy and unity. With our Drumming Workshop, everyone gets their own drum and joins in sync with the beat, led by our expert drummer.

No musical skills are needed; it’s all about tapping into the natural rhythm innate to all humans. The conductor will lead with different beats and the group will follow along to create an impactful sound. We bring everything to your venue, anywhere in the UK, including a professional events management team and an expert drummer to transform your conference or meeting.

This Drumming Workshop not only boosts collective focus, creativity and communication at your event, but also reduces stress, improves mood and promotes a sense of relaxation and wellbeing.

Contact us today to discuss your corporate ice breaker requirements and discover how a drumming workshop can help achieve your goals.

close-up of team building participants drumming

3. The Haka

The Haka is a traditional Māori performance from New Zealand, known for its powerful chants, rhythmic movements and fierce energy, originally performed by warriors to intimidate opponents and now famously showcased by the All Blacks rugby team.

The Haka workshop is an incredible way to break the ice at a conference or large corporate event with our talented performers coming to any venue in the UK to teach your audience the iconic Haka. The bold gestures, strong vocal expressions and synchronised movements will energise the room and push participants out of their comfort zones, helping them develop confidence and a sense of shared achievement.

We can tailor The Haka to fit into your schedule, whether you need a quick ice breaker or a more immersive experience. Whichever format you choose, one thing is certain – the chants and physicality of the Haka will inspire participants to fully engage and embrace the intensity of the moment. The result is an unforgettable experience that sets the tone for a successful event.

Get in touch today to explore how we can customise The Haka to suit your needs.

Two Maori men posing during a Haka

4. Yoga Class

Incorporating an ice breaker into your conference or meeting isn’t just about breaking the silence, it’s about boosting engagement, collaboration and making participants feel comfortable and included.

A Yoga Class is an excellent way to set a positive tone and prepare your audience for meaningful interactions and collaborations. Fully customisable to suit your schedule and group’s needs, our sessions are accessible to all fitness levels so that everyone can participate and enjoy the benefits. Led by our certified yoga instructor who will come to your venue anywhere in the UK, the class can be more dynamic, or adapted to any seating style and ability level, with gentle stretching and more focus on breathwork and mindfulness.

As a corporate event ice breaker, yoga helps participants relax and focus, creating a positive and engaging atmosphere right from the start. The benefits will extend throughout the rest of your event, helping to alleviate stress and encouraging continued engagement. With its calming yet energising effects, Yoga Class sets the perfect tone for meaningful collaboration and connection. Get in touch today to request a free, bespoke proposal for your meeting ice breaker.

Corporate team participating in Yoga team building class doing stretches on the floor

5. Junk Funk

Junk Funk is a truly unique conference ice breaker that will be a fantastic conversation starter, sparking laughter and meaningful connections at your corporate event.

The concept is simple yet exciting: we take everyday scrap objects like saucepans, dustbins, hard hats, drainpipes and even car wheels, and transform them into instruments. Everyone will collaborate to create vibrant rhythms and music, coming together as the Junk Funk orchestra.

We bring everything directly to your venue, with our professional host guiding participants through this fun, high-energy activity that fosters creativity and self-expression. Junk Funk encourages attendees to see ordinary items in a new light, giving them a fresh perspective on collaboration and innovation. By transforming what’s considered “junk” into a cohesive orchestra, Junk Funk inspires out-of-the-box thinking and teamwork. Who knew that drainpipes could produce such a captivating resonance, or that old car wheels could create a surprisingly vibrant metallic sound?

Adaptable to your goals and needs, Junk Funk is an ice breaker for conferences that will leave a lasting impression. Contact us today to get a free, bespoke quote!

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FAQs

What is a corporate ice breaker?

A corporate ice breaker is a group activity designed to help people get to know each other, build rapport and break down social barriers at the start of a meeting, conference or event. Ice breakers are often fun, engaging and interactive, allowing participants to relax, feel more comfortable and set a positive tone for the rest of the event. At GOTO Events we offer a range of fun ice breakers for meetings to make your event truly unique and memorable.

What is the difference between a conference ice breaker and a conference energiser?

A conference ice breaker is typically used at the start of an event, while a conference energiser is added during longer sessions to re-energise attendees. A conference ice breaker is designed to create a comfortable atmosphere, helping participants interact and break the initial awkwardness at the start of a conference or meeting. In contrast, a conference energiser is aimed at revitalising attendees during or after sessions, boosting morale, refocusing attention and maintaining engagement throughout the day. At GOTO Events, we offer unique activities to engage your audience, whether you're looking for a conference ice breaker or an energiser.

How long should a corporate ice breaker last?

The duration of a corporate ice breaker varies depending on your event's schedule and objectives. Typically, ice breaker activities last between 15 minutes to 2 hours, but we can fully customise the length to fit your specific needs. Whether you need a quick energiser to kick off the event or a more in-depth experience, we offer flexible options. If you're unsure of what would work best for your event, feel free to get in touch with us for more ideas and bespoke recommendations tailored to your schedule and goals.

What’s the ideal group size for an effective corporate ice breaker?

Our ice breaker activities can be tailored to any group size, ensuring they remain effective no matter how many participants are involved. We specialise in connecting large groups with unique activities that promote engagement, fun and immediate results. Whether you're working with a small team or hundreds of attendees, our ice breakers are designed to bring everyone together, break the ice and set a positive tone for your event. Feel free to reach out for more details on how we can customise an ice breaker for your specific group.

Why is it important to start a conference with an ice breaker?

An ice breaker at the start of a corporate event helps set a positive vibe, making everyone feel comfortable and ready to connect. It breaks the ice, so people can mingle without the awkwardness and get into the right mindset for the day. It’s a great way to boost energy, get everyone talking and create a more relaxed atmosphere, so participants are more engaged and ready to collaborate throughout the event.

What makes GOTO Events the best choice for your corporate ice breaker?

H3: What makes GOTO Events the best choice for your corporate ice breaker? At GOTO Events, we specialise in creating fun and engaging ice breakers for small and large groups specifically designed to kick off your event on the right note. Our activities are fully customisable to meet your unique requirements, whether you're looking for something high-energy, creative or wellbeing-focused. Plus, we’re fully mobile and can bring the ice breaker to any venue across the UK. To make things even easier, we offer a free venue-find service for corporate events. Get in touch today to speak to our expert events team!

What are some unique and engaging ideas for corporate ice breakers?

The best corporate ice breakers are those that spark engagement, foster teamwork and bring plenty of fun. Popular choices include The Haka, a high-energy cultural experience that unites and motivates; Yoga Class, which offers a calming yet energising start to your event; Junk Funk, where teams transform everyday items into a lively percussion orchestra; Drumming Workshop, where groups synchronise through powerful rhythms; and Boomwhackers, where participants use colour-coded tubes to create magical harmonies. Each activity is fully customisable to your event’s needs and can be delivered at any venue across the UK.