Designing an Engaging Town Hall Programme Outdoors

Outdoors, attention spans are shorter and distractions are everywhere: cyclists, joggers, the sea, the food tent. A good outdoor town hall programme accepts that and is designed around it.

Keep the formal part tight

Plan the leadership message as a short, focused segment rather than a long presentation. Give each speaker one clear point. Visuals should be simple and large, or replaced with printed materials and storytelling.

Formats that suit the setting

• Fireside chat: a leader in conversation with a host, on a low stage or in the round.

• Open floor: staff ask questions with a roving microphone, moderated by an emcee.

• Circle sessions: small groups discuss a question and report back.

• Walk and talk: leaders join small groups for informal conversation during a walk along the coast.

A sample running order

1. Registration and welcome drinks.

2. Emcee opening and agenda.

3. Short leadership address.

4. Moderated Q&A or fireside chat.

5. Breakout circles on one or two questions.

6. Sharing and a summary of next steps.

7. Lunch, dinner or a team activity to close.

Make it inclusive

Provide shade and seating for everyone, not just leaders. Offer a written or anonymous way to submit questions. If some staff cannot attend, plan how you will share the key messages with them afterwards.

Link it to the rest of the day

Many companies follow the town hall with a team building activity or a beach barbecue. That works well, as long as the activity reinforces the message rather than replacing it.

Get Out! Events manages run-of-show, emcees, activities and on-site operations; read about its corporate townhall event planning support.

About this guide: Outdoor Town Hall at East Coast Park is written and maintained by Get Out! Events, a Singapore corporate event company at 14 Robinson Road #08-01A, Singapore 048545. It contains general planning guidance only; confirm current venue rules, permits and partner requirements before you book anything.