Mid-Year Check-In: Is Your 2025 Engagement Strategy Working?

We're halfway through the year—cue the moment of truth (and maybe a small existential spiral). Back in January, you set engagement goals full of hope and ambition. But let’s be real: is the vibe still vibing?

June is your perfect "ctrl+alt+refresh" moment. It’s time to reflect, reassess, and realign before the summer lull hits and Q4 starts breathing down your neck. Let’s take a strategic—and slightly humorous—look at how to do it right.

HOST Events owners, Amy & Jackie enjoying a brainstorming sesh

📍 1. Start with the Signals

If engagement is on the decline, you’ll feel it—like a slow Wi-Fi connection during a video call. Some red flags:

• Cameras off, voices silent — If every Zoom feels like you're hosting a séance.

• Fewer RSVPs for optional events — Especially if the event involves cookies and still no one shows.

• Feedback surveys? Crickets. — You’re starting to wonder if your “anonymous form” actually just got ghosted.

🔍 Try this: Use a 2-minute pulse survey, quick team huddles, or informal 1:1s to get a temperature check.

🗖️ 2. Compare Your Calendar to Your Culture Goals

Take a hard look at what you’ve actually done so far—not just what you meant to do.

Ask:

• Goal = Wellness
  💡 Did you host anything more restorative than a “no meeting Friday”?
  👉 Try a hosted mindfulness + plant care event like Nurtured by Nature.

• Goal = Inclusion
  💡 Did your team hear from diverse voices—or just a quarterly DEI newsletter?
  👉 Consider a cultural experience or virtual travel tour that opens new perspectives.

• Goal = Fun
  💡 Was your idea of fun another icebreaker that made people rank their favorite condiments?
  👉 Try a high-energy hosted game like Quiz Show.

🎯 3. Engagement Is Not One-Size-Fits-All

Not every employee wants to show up for yoga in the breakroom or post their “fun fact” on Slack. The most effective strategies include a mix of moments:

• Social impact + play
  Example: Build bee boxes for pollinators, then follow it with a hosted trivia session where everyone can buzz in. 🐝
  👉 CSR with a cause—and a good time.

• Education + downtime
  Example: Offer a Shark Science session over lunch (yes, it’s a thing), then let people log off early to decompress. 💈
  👉 Swim with sharks from your desk.

• Big activations + bite-sized boosts
  Example: Plan a summer cook-along with shipped kits, but also drop a 5-minute gratitude challenge in your team chat. 🍽️
  👉 Check out our remote chef-led classes with nationwide delivery.

🔄 4. Realign with Purpose

Ask your team directly:

“What would make you feel more connected to your coworkers, your work, and our mission?”

Yes, you might get a few joke answers (“more dogs at meetings”), but you’ll also get gold. Use this input to shape your H2 programming:

• Switch formats (virtual? hybrid?)

• Introduce surprise & delight moments

• Prioritize connection over perfection

Small tweaks make big impact.

🎉 5. Still Not Sure Where to Start? Get Hosted.

At HOST Events, we help companies create customized, meaningful, and ridiculously fun experiences that bring your people together—whether they’re at home, in the office, or somewhere in between.

You set the goal—we bring the magic.
👉 Explore our most popular hosted experiences.