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Unofficial Start
Engaging icebreaker strategy to connect people before programs.
- Simple
- Engaging
- Leverages idle time
- Promotes connections
- Tons of options
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Engaging Icebreaker Strategy
This unique strategy gets people connecting and relaxing before your program even starts by giving them something interesting to do as they arrive. An Unofficial Start is an engaging icebreaker strategy that transforms that awkward arrival time into valuable relationship-building moments. As an engaging connection strategy, people naturally start chatting and feeling comfortable instead of standing around feeling nervous or bored.
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Original post March 2019, last updated November 2025.
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I agree! No matter that you use or whether the audience is a group of adults or schools students, the Unofficial Start sets up the program ahead for success from the beginning. This strategy alone has yielded some incredible results and I cannot recommend it’s use enough!
I agree. Mark has helped me completely shift the way I “start” programs, namely with staff, and staff are no longer late! I carry a bag of rope with me EVERYWHERE. Thank you.
This si so great to hear Emily, well played. Unofficial starts just make so much sense, and if for no other reason, they can be fun 🙂
Have had the opportunity of observing Mark do this a few times now and it is amazing to watch how this works. As Mark welcomes and guides or participants slide in and guide themselves to the activities are fantastic. With a few puzzles, cards and other self-led activities, it becomes enough and easy for the group to start as they focus on the task rather than awkwardly engaging with each other. Just a little bit of pre-planning and some props is just what’s required and the magic just happens