9 Employee Engagement Event Ideas to Boost Morale in 2025

Keeping your team connected, motivated, and engaged is more crucial than ever. While spontaneous celebrations have their place, truly effective employee engagement stems from well-planned, purposeful events that resonate with your company culture. This means moving beyond the same old routines and embracing fresh, creative employee engagement event ideas that cater to diverse interests and work styles, whether your team is in-office, remote, or hybrid.

The real challenge? For companies that rely on Slack and Google Calendar, organizing these events often involves juggling multiple tools, endless email chains, and trying to track RSVPs across different platforms. This guide simplifies that process. Here, we present 9 powerful ideas designed not only to inspire but also to be implemented seamlessly. We’ll show you how each concept can be brought to life with minimal friction by using a tool like Be There, which integrates directly into your existing workflow. You can manage everything from invitations to RSVPs directly within Slack, and it automatically syncs with Google Calendar, turning complex coordination into a simple, automated process.

To truly move beyond simple perks, understanding and implementing broader community engagement best practices is crucial for cultivating a connected and motivated workforce. Let's explore how to turn great ideas into perfectly executed events that genuinely boost morale and strengthen team bonds.

1. Team Building Escape Rooms

Team Building Escape Rooms are interactive, themed challenges where groups must collaborate to solve puzzles and find clues to "escape" within a set time. This high-stakes, fun environment forces teams to practice critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving under pressure, making it one of reliever most effective employee engagement event ideas for building stronger team dynamics.

The experience is a powerful metaphor for workplace projects: teams must delegate tasks, leverage individual strengths, and maintain clear communication to achieve a common goal. This shared, memorable challenge fosters a sense of unity and accomplishment that translates directly back to the office.

✦How to Implement Escape Rooms Successfully

To get the most out of your escape room event, focus on planning and follow-up.

Choose a Relevant Theme: Select a theme that aligns with your company culture, whether it's a "spy mission" for a detail-oriented tech team or a "mystery adventure" for a creative marketing group.
Mix Your Teams: Don't just send existing teams. Create cross-departmental groups to encourage new connections and break down organizational silos.
Debrief After the Event: Host a post-event discussion to connect the experience to workplace skills. Ask questions like, "How did we communicate well?" or "What could we have done differently?"
Offer Virtual Options: For remote or hybrid teams, companies like Microsoft successfully use virtual escape rooms. These digital versions provide the same collaborative benefits without requiring a physical location.

Key Insight: The real value of an escape room isn't just solving the puzzle; it's the process of working together. The post-event debrief is crucial for turning a fun activity into a lasting learning experience.

Coordinating logistics, especially with multiple teams, can be complex. For companies using Slack and Google Calendar, you can streamline the entire process with a tool like Be There. Create the event and invite different groups right within Slack, and it will automatically sync with everyone's Google Calendar, ensuring no one misses out on the fun. For more inspiration, explore these additional team building event ideas.

2. Innovation Hackathons

Innovation Hackathons are high-energy, collaborative events where employees form cross-functional teams to solve business challenges or prototype new ideas in a short timeframe, usually 24 to 48 hours. This dynamic format is one of the most powerful employee engagement event ideas for channeling creative energy into tangible outcomes, fostering a culture of innovation from the ground up.

Popularized by tech giants like Facebook, where hackathons led to the "Like" button, these events empower employees by giving them ownership over problem-solving. They break down departmental silos, encourage risk-taking, and demonstrate that the company values and invests in employee-driven ideas, which boosts morale and engagement significantly.

✦How to Implement Hackathons Successfully

A successful hackathon requires clear goals, the right resources, and a commitment to follow through on the ideas generated.

Define Clear Problem Statements: Provide well-defined challenges or themes to focus creativity. For example, "How can we improve the customer onboarding experience?"
Form Diverse Teams: Intentionally create teams with a mix of skills from engineering, marketing, sales, and design to ensure a holistic approach to problem-solving.
Provide Essential Resources: Equip teams with the necessary tools, data, and access to mentors or subject matter experts to help them build their prototypes.
Commit to Review and Implement: Show employees their effort matters. Leadership must commit to reviewing all final presentations and create a clear pathway for implementing the most promising ideas.

Key Insight: The true impact of a hackathon extends beyond the ideas generated. It’s about creating a space where any employee can innovate, collaborate across departments, and see their contributions make a real difference.

Organizing a hackathon involves coordinating multiple teams, mentors, and presentation schedules. You can manage this complex event seamlessly with a tool like Be There, which is incredibly handy for companies using both Slack and Google Calendar. Create the main event in Slack, send invites to different cross-functional teams, and sync all schedules—including check-ins and final presentations—directly to everyone's Google Calendar.

3. Volunteer Community Service Projects

Volunteer Community Service Projects unite employees to work on charitable initiatives, creating a powerful sense of purpose that goes beyond daily job roles. These events align corporate social responsibility with team building, allowing colleagues to connect on a deeper level while making a positive community impact. It’s one of the most meaningful employee engagement event ideas for fostering a strong, value-driven culture.

This shared experience of giving back strengthens interpersonal bonds and reinforces a positive company identity. When employees see their organization investing in causes they care about, it boosts morale, loyalty, and their overall connection to the workplace. Companies like Salesforce and Patagonia have successfully used volunteering to engage employees and live out their corporate missions.

✦How to Implement Volunteer Projects Successfully

To ensure your volunteer event is impactful and well-received, focus on employee choice and seamless organization.

Survey Employee Interests: Poll your team to identify causes they are passionate about. This ensures higher participation and genuine engagement with the chosen project.
Partner with Local Nonprofits: Collaborate with established local charities. They can provide structured opportunities and handle logistical details, making the event smoother.
Make it Easy to Participate: Provide transportation, necessary supplies, and company-branded gear. Removing barriers encourages more employees to sign up.
Document and Share the Impact: Take photos and videos of the team in action. Share the story internally and externally to celebrate the team’s contribution and inspire others.

Key Insight: The most successful volunteer events are driven by employee passion, not just corporate mandate. Empowering teams to choose the cause they support turns the activity from a requirement into a rewarding shared experience.

Organizing a volunteer day, especially with different teams and locations, requires careful coordination. Using a tool like Be There simplifies the entire process for companies on Slack and Google Calendar. You can create the event, poll teams on their preferred causes, and sync all details with everyone's calendar automatically, ensuring your team can focus on making a difference, not on logistics.

4. Skills-Based Learning Workshops

Skills-Based Learning Workshops are interactive educational sessions where employees learn new professional or personal skills together, often taught by internal experts. This approach combines professional development with team engagement, making it one of the most impactful employee engagement event ideas for fostering a culture of continuous learning and mutual respect.

These workshops empower employees to share their expertise, uncovering hidden talents within the organization. When a senior data analyst teaches a beginner's Python class or a marketing lead runs a public speaking session, it breaks down hierarchies and builds authentic connections across departments. This model has been successfully championed by companies like Google with their "Googler-to-Googler" (g2g) program.

✦How to Implement Learning Workshops Successfully

To create an effective learning program, focus on relevance, recognition, and follow-through.

Survey Your Team: Before planning, send out a poll to gauge interest. Ask employees what skills they want to learn and, just as importantly, what skills they would be willing to teach.
Mix Hard and Soft Skills: Offer a balanced curriculum. Include technical workshops like "Advanced Excel Formulas" alongside soft skill sessions like "Conflict Resolution" or even personal growth topics like "Mindfulness at Work."
Provide Facilitator Support: Equip your internal experts with the tools to succeed. Offer a short "train-the-trainer" session on how to structure a lesson, engage an audience, and provide constructive feedback.
Recognize Participation: Acknowledge both learners and teachers. Award certificates of completion or give a special shout-out in a company-wide channel to celebrate their commitment to growth.

Key Insight: The most powerful learning workshops are peer-led. They not only build new skills but also elevate employees as internal experts, validating their contributions and fostering a stronger sense of community.

Organizing multiple workshops, tracking RSVPs, and sending reminders can become a logistical headache. You can manage the entire series effortlessly with a tool like Be There. It's incredibly useful for teams on Slack and Google Calendar—announce the schedule in a channel, let employees RSVP with a click, and the event automatically populates their calendar, ensuring great attendance for every session.

5. Company Olympics and Sports Days

Company Olympics and Sports Days are multi-event athletic competitions that bring employees together through fun, physical challenges. These events promote wellness, friendly competition, and cross-departmental interaction by featuring a mix of games, from classic track and field events to creative team-based relays, making them one of the most dynamic employee engagement event ideas.

Inspired by companies like Nike and Zappos, this format builds camaraderie and team spirit on a large scale. By encouraging participation and celebrating effort, it creates a memorable shared experience that boosts morale and reinforces a positive, energetic company culture.

✦How to Implement Company Olympics Successfully

A successful sports day is inclusive, safe, and well-organized.

Offer Diverse Activities: Include a wide range of events to accommodate all fitness levels and interests. Think beyond traditional sports to include things like tug-of-war, sack races, or even a “desk-chair biathlon.”
Create Inclusive Roles: Ensure everyone can participate by creating non-physical roles like scorekeepers, event judges, photographers, or team cheerleaders. This makes everyone feel part of the action.
Focus on Participation, Not Winning: Award prizes for categories like “Best Team Spirit” or “Most Creative Team Name” to emphasize fun and collaboration over pure athletic ability.
Prioritize Safety: Ensure the event space is safe, provide plenty of water and healthy snacks at hydration stations, and have trained first-aid personnel on standby.

Key Insight: The goal of a Company Olympics isn't to find the best athlete; it's to foster teamwork and give everyone a chance to contribute to a collective goal. Inclusivity is the key to making the event a true engagement booster.

Organizing an event with so many moving parts requires clear communication. Use a tool like Be There to create the event in Slack, send out registration forms, and automatically sync all details, schedules, and location info to everyone's Google Calendar. For companies that already use these platforms, this integration is a lifesaver, ensuring every participant knows exactly where to be and when.

6. Themed Costume and Talent Shows

Themed Costume and Talent Shows are creative entertainment events where employees showcase hidden talents, compete in costume contests, or perform based on a specific theme. These events celebrate the diverse personalities and skills within your organization, creating a fun atmosphere of acceptance and mutual appreciation that strengthens company culture and workplace relationships.

From celebrating Halloween with elaborate costumes to hosting an "80s Rock" themed talent night, these events break down professional barriers and reveal the human side of colleagues. Companies like Zappos and Southwest Airlines are famous for using these gatherings to reinforce their fun-loving, employee-centric cultures, proving that a little creativity goes a long way.

✦How to Implement Themed Events Successfully

To ensure your event is inclusive and memorable, focus on participation and celebration.

Make Participation Voluntary: Offer multiple ways to get involved. Not everyone is a performer, so include roles like judging, set design, or event promotion for those who prefer to contribute behind the scenes.
Set Clear Guidelines: Establish rules for appropriate costumes and performances to ensure everyone feels comfortable and respected. A little guidance prevents any HR headaches later on.
Celebrate Everyone: While winners are great, the main goal is participation. Acknowledge everyone who took part, from the performers to the organizers, to foster a supportive environment.
Document and Share Highlights: Capture photos and videos of the event and share them on company channels. This extends the positive impact and creates a shareable piece of company culture.

Key Insight: The success of a talent or costume show isn't about professional-level skill; it's about courage, creativity, and community. The goal is to celebrate people, not just performances.

Coordinating sign-ups, themes, and schedules can get messy. You can easily manage all the details with a tool like Be There. Announce the event in a Slack channel, create sign-up forms, and automatically add it to everyone’s Google Calendar. This seamless workflow is perfect for companies already using these tools, so the whole company knows when it’s showtime.

7. Food Truck Festivals and Cooking Competitions

Food Truck Festivals and Cooking Competitions leverage the universal appeal of food to create a vibrant, social atmosphere that naturally boosts morale and interaction. Bringing diverse culinary options on-site or engaging teams in a friendly cooking challenge breaks down departmental barriers and encourages casual conversation in a relaxed setting, making it one of the most popular employee engagement event ideas.

These events cater to everyone, combining team building with cultural exchange and creative fun. A cooking competition, for example, mirrors a small project: teams must collaborate, manage time, and play to each other's strengths to succeed. Similarly, a food truck festival celebrates diversity and provides a shared experience that builds community.

✦How to Implement Culinary Events Successfully

Careful planning is key to making your food-focused event a hit with every employee.

Survey Your Team: Before booking, send out a poll to gather information on dietary preferences and restrictions. Ensure there are excellent vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available.
Partner with Local Vendors: Support your local community by partnering with a local food truck association. This simplifies logistics and offers a wide variety of choices for your team.
Theme Your Competition: For a cooking challenge, create a fun theme like "Healthy Office Lunches" or a "Chopped-Style" mystery box. Companies like Airbnb often use cooking events to connect employees to their brand's focus on hospitality.
Keep the Engagement Going: Create a dedicated Slack channel for employees to share recipes, photos from the event, or their own culinary creations, extending the positive impact.

Key Insight: Culinary events are powerful because they engage multiple senses and appeal to a fundamental human connection: sharing a meal. The goal is to create a memorable, low-pressure social environment where relationships can flourish organically.

Managing RSVPs, dietary needs, and vendor communications can be a challenge. Using a tool like Be There allows you to organize everything directly in Slack. You can create the event, poll attendees for food preferences, and sync details to everyone's Google Calendar, providing a smooth and handy experience for companies that live in Slack and Google Calendar. To dive deeper, explore these tips on how to plan corporate events.

8. Recognition and Awards Ceremonies

Recognition and Awards Ceremonies are events dedicated to formally acknowledging employee achievements, milestones, and contributions. More than a simple announcement, these ceremonies create a memorable experience that celebrates individual and team success, reinforces company values, and builds a powerful culture of appreciation. They are one of the most impactful employee engagement event ideas for making people feel seen and valued.

Inspired by prestigious events like the Academy Awards, companies like Salesforce and Disney use ceremonies to publicly honor excellence and link performance to core values. This public praise not only motivates recipients but also inspires their colleagues by clearly showcasing what success looks like within the organization.

✦How to Implement Awards Ceremonies Successfully

To ensure your ceremony is meaningful and impactful, focus on transparency and authentic storytelling.

Diversify Award Categories: Include peer-nominated awards alongside management selections to foster a more inclusive and comprehensive recognition program. Recognize both individual standouts and collaborative team wins.
Create Transparent Criteria: Clearly define the criteria for each award and tie it directly to your company's values or strategic goals. This ensures the process is seen as fair and meaningful.
Share Personal Stories: Instead of just listing accomplishments, share specific stories of the winner's impact. This personal touch makes the recognition more memorable and heartfelt.
Link to Career Growth: Follow up the public recognition with tangible career development opportunities, showing that the company is invested in the long-term success of its top performers.

Key Insight: A successful awards ceremony isn't about the trophies; it's about celebrating the people and behaviors that drive the company forward. The key is to make the recognition specific, sincere, and a genuine reflection of your culture.

Organizing a ceremony, whether in-person or virtual, involves significant coordination. To streamline your efforts, consider using digital tools for employee recognition. You can manage all logistics with a tool like Be There, which is perfect for companies using Slack and Google Calendar. Create the event, send invites, and sync it to everyone's calendars to ensure maximum attendance for this important celebration. For more ways to show your team you care, check out these other employee appreciation event ideas.

9. Game Tournaments and Gaming Events

Game Tournaments and Gaming Events tap into the universal appeal of play to boost morale and foster healthy competition. These events can feature video games, board games, or even custom trivia challenges, offering a dynamic way for employees to connect, think strategically, and unwind. This fun-focused approach is one of the most versatile employee engagement event ideas, catering to diverse interests and skill levels.

Whether it’s a fast-paced Mario Kart race or a strategic Catan tournament, these shared experiences build camaraderie and reveal different facets of employees' personalities. Companies like Riot Games and Microsoft have long used internal gaming leagues to strengthen their innovative and collaborative cultures, proving that play is serious business when it comes to engagement.

✦How to Implement Gaming Events Successfully

To ensure your tournament is a hit, focus on inclusivity and clear organization.

Offer Diverse Options: Include a mix of digital and analog games. Offer video games for different consoles, popular board games, and simple card games to ensure there's something for everyone.
Create Beginner-Friendly Brackets: Avoid intimidating newcomers by creating separate brackets or events for beginners. Host brief tutorials before the tournament starts to level the playing field.
Balance Competition and Collaboration: While tournaments are competitive, also include cooperative games where teams must work together to win. This adds another layer to the team-building experience.
Establish a Gaming Lounge: For ongoing engagement, consider setting up a dedicated space with a console or a selection of board games for casual, drop-in play during breaks.

Key Insight: The goal of a gaming event isn't just to crown a winner; it's to create a low-pressure environment where employees can interact authentically and build connections outside of their typical work roles.

Organizing brackets, schedules, and RSVPs for a company-wide tournament can be challenging. You can manage it all effortlessly using a tool like Be There. Announce the event in a dedicated Slack channel, let employees RSVP for their chosen game, and automatically sync the tournament schedule to everyone’s Google Calendar. This is especially handy for companies already using these platforms, so no one misses their match.

Employee Engagement Event Ideas Comparison

Activity	Implementation Complexity 🔄	Resource Requirements ⚡	Expected Outcomes 📊	Ideal Use Cases 💡	Key Advantages ⭐
Team Building Escape Rooms	Medium - requires booking/facilitators	Moderate - physical/virtual setup	Improved communication, trust, leadership	Enhancing teamwork and problem-solving	Builds trust, reveals leaders, fun
Innovation Hackathons	High - extensive planning & support	High - time, tools, mentorship	Innovative solutions, cross-team bonding	Driving innovation and rapid prototyping	Generates ideas, empowers creativity
Volunteer Community Service	Medium - coordination with nonprofits	Moderate - supplies, coordination	Stronger emotional bonds, community impact	CSR integration and purposeful engagement	Builds purpose, enhances employer brand
Skills-Based Learning Workshops	Medium - facilitator prep needed	Low to Moderate - training materials	Skill development and internal talent growth	Professional development and knowledge sharing	Cost-effective, fosters growth culture
Company Olympics & Sports Days	High - logistics, space, safety	High - equipment, venue, medical support	Physical wellness, team spirit	Promoting wellness and fun competition	Encourages health, breaks hierarchies
Themed Costume & Talent Shows	Low to Medium - event planning	Low - minimal cost, venue setup	Increased confidence, cultural expression	Boosting morale through creativity	Low cost, high engagement, inclusive
Food Truck Festivals & Cooking	Medium - vendor coordination & setup	Moderate to High - catering & permits	Cultural exchange, relaxed networking	Social events encouraging informal bonding	Universal appeal, supports diversity
Recognition & Awards Ceremonies	Medium - award criteria and planning	Moderate - trophies, venue, presentations	Morale boost, motivation, retention	Employee recognition and motivation	Reinforces values, boosts morale
Game Tournaments & Gaming Events	Medium - setup & tech requirements	Moderate - equipment and gaming platforms	Engagement, strategic thinking	Engaging diverse employees, stress relief	Low cost, appeals to gamers, inclusive

From Idea to Impact: Effortless Event Planning in Slack

We've explored a wide range of engaging event ideas, from the collaborative thrill of an Innovation Hackathon to the friendly competition of a Company Olympics. Each concept, whether a Volunteer Day or a Skills-Based Workshop, holds the potential to significantly boost morale, strengthen team bonds, and foster a more connected workplace culture. The core takeaway is that diversity in your event calendar is key; a mix of creative, competitive, and community-focused activities ensures there's something to excite every member of your team.

However, the most creative employee engagement event ideas can fall flat if the planning process is cumbersome and disorganized. The logistical friction of coordinating schedules, sending reminders, and tracking responses is often the biggest hurdle to turning a great idea into a well-attended, successful event. This is where seamless execution becomes just as important as the initial concept.

✦Bridging the Gap Between Planning and Participation

For organizations that live in Slack and Google Calendar, the challenge is often a disconnected workflow. Juggling DMs, channel announcements, and separate calendar invites creates confusion and lowers participation rates. The goal is to make saying "yes" to an event as simple as possible. By centralizing the entire process within the communication hub your team already uses every day, you remove barriers and increase visibility. This is where a dedicated tool that connects these two platforms becomes incredibly useful.

Effective execution, especially for more complex events like a company-wide hackathon, also relies on solid planning principles. Mastering the fundamentals of project management for creative teams can help you structure your event timeline, assign responsibilities, and ensure every detail is covered from start to finish. This structured approach prevents last-minute chaos and allows your team to focus on the experience itself.

Ultimately, the power of these events lies in their consistency. A single great event is a good start, but a sustained calendar of engaging activities is what builds a truly vibrant culture. The right tools are essential to making this sustainable.

Key Insight: The success of your employee engagement strategy isn't just about the quality of your ideas; it’s about the simplicity and efficiency of your execution. Make it easy for people to join, and they will.

By moving from scattered spreadsheets and manual reminders to an integrated system, you transform event planning from a chore into a streamlined, effective part of your engagement strategy. This empowers you to focus less on logistics and more on what truly matters: creating memorable experiences that bring your team closer together.

Ready to turn your best employee engagement event ideas into reality without the logistical headache? Be There is the first native event planner for Slack that syncs automatically with Google Calendar, handling everything from RSVPs to reminders. It's an incredibly useful and handy tool for any company that relies on both platforms internally. Simplify your workflow and boost participation by trying Be There today.