How to Increase Dwell Time at Exhibition Stands
Dwell time is one of the clearest indicators of exhibition success. The longer visitors spend on your stand, the more opportunity your team has to build rapport, explain what you do, and identify genuine opportunities. At Expo Play, increasing dwell time is one of the most common objectives we help exhibitors achieve.
Across sectors such as Exhibition Games for Tech Companies, Exhibition Games for Construction & Industry, Exhibition Games for Educational & Training Expos, and Exhibition Games for Logistics & Supply Chain Shows, the principles for increasing dwell time remain largely the same.
Why Dwell Time Matters
Exhibition halls are busy, noisy, and full of competing messages. Visitors often move quickly, scanning stands for reasons to stop. If your stand fails to give them a reason to pause, the opportunity for meaningful engagement is lost.
Longer dwell time allows for:
- More detailed conversations
- Better understanding of visitor needs
- Higher-quality lead capture
- Improved brand recall after the event
Exhibition games are one of the most reliable ways to turn passing interest into sustained engagement.
Use Games to Create a Natural Pause
The first step in increasing dwell time is encouraging visitors to stop. Interactive games provide a clear, visible reason to pause without requiring a sales approach.
Fast, intuitive games such as Strike a Light 2 Players, Batak Pro, and Pixel Play work particularly well because they are easy to understand and visually engaging. Even a short challenge can extend a visit from a few seconds to several minutes.
This initial pause creates the opening your team needs to start a conversation.
Choose the Right Type of Interaction
Not all games increase dwell time in the same way. The type of interaction you choose should align with how long you want visitors to stay.
Quick-play games are ideal for busy halls where footfall is high. They encourage short but repeatable engagement.
Competitive games from the Competitive Games range often lead to repeat visits, as visitors return to beat scores or challenge colleagues.
Social or relaxed games are better suited to conversation-led stands, where the goal is discussion rather than speed.
Position Games to Support Flow, Not Block It
Game placement has a direct impact on dwell time. Games positioned at the front or edge of a stand help draw people in without creating barriers.
For smaller footprints, options from the Small Exhibition Stand Games and Compact Games ranges help increase dwell time without restricting access or overwhelming the space.
Once visitors step inside the stand, additional engagement elements can encourage them to stay longer.
Link Games to Conversation
Games alone do not increase dwell time unless they are connected to human interaction. The most effective stands use games as conversation starters rather than standalone attractions.
A simple prompt from a team member—explaining the game, commenting on a score, or asking a follow-up question—can significantly extend the interaction.
This approach is especially effective at professional events such as Exhibition Games for Finance & Banking and Exhibition Games for Security & Cybersecurity Expos, where visitors value relevance and clarity.
Encourage Repeat Engagement
Dwell time does not always happen in one continuous visit. Competitive or score-based games often encourage visitors to return later, bringing colleagues with them.
This repeat engagement increases total time spent on the stand and helps spread awareness organically across teams attending the event.
Use Games to Support Lead Capture
Lead capture activities naturally increase dwell time by adding structure to the interaction. Prize-based options from the Prize Games and Lead Generation Games ranges give visitors a reason to stay, sign up, and wait for outcomes.
Games such as the Crack the Safe or Prize Crane Grabber extend engagement while supporting clear next steps, such as demo bookings or follow-up meetings.
Create Comfortable Spaces
Visitors are more likely to stay if the stand feels comfortable. Adding seating, tables, or relaxed social games can significantly increase dwell time.
Items from the Furniture & Furnishings and Hospitality & Relaxation ranges help create environments where visitors feel welcome to pause, talk, and listen.
This approach works particularly well at multi-day exhibitions and networking-focused events.
Match Dwell Time to Event Type
Different events support different engagement lengths. Outdoor or public-facing events often require faster interactions, while trade shows and conferences allow for longer conversations.
Understanding the event format helps determine whether the focus should be on quick engagement, sustained interaction, or a combination of both. Our guide Indoor & Outdoor Event Hire: What To Consider explores this in more detail.
Measuring the Impact
Increased dwell time can be measured through observation, lead capture rates, repeat visits, and post-event follow-up success. Many exhibitors notice improved ROI once dwell time increases, even if overall footfall remains the same.
For a deeper look at measurement, see Exhibition Games & Measuring ROI.
Turning Attention Into Engagement
Increasing dwell time is about more than keeping visitors busy. It’s about creating the right conditions for conversation, understanding, and follow-up.
When exhibition games are chosen and positioned correctly, they transform fleeting interest into meaningful engagement. At Expo Play, we help exhibitors use games with purpose—supporting longer visits, better conversations, and stronger outcomes.
If you’d like advice on increasing dwell time at your next exhibition, we’re always happy to help.