Brainstorming session
organise
Stimulating fresh ideas? How to organise a successful brainstorming session
If you thought: I'll invite some people, put up a whiteboard and provide a nice sandwich ... then something is not going quite right. In fact, a brainstorming session needs more. Really strong ideas emerge when the session is well prepared with the right guidance and in the right environment. We tell you what a brainstorming session is, what it achieves and how to organise one yourself (successfully).
What is the purpose of a brainstorming session?
Unleash that creative thinking! As individuals and as a group. A brainstorming session is all about letting creativity flow. You want to inspire people and give space to free thinkers. Create support. That is a bit different from a meeting, for example. The purpose of a workshop varies from one organisation to another, but usually it has something to do with:Thinking up new products, campaigns or services
Developing strategies
Analyse problems and come up with a new angle
Involving team members in decisions
Brainstorming rooms of Jaarbeurs
At Jaarbeurs, we regularly receive various organisers looking for a suitable space for their brainstorming session. Usually, our meeting rooms are used in MeetUp, but there are many more rooms to choose from.
What is a brainstorming session?
Brainstorm. Brainstorm. A gust of ideas. 'Invented' by well-known advertising man Alex Faickney Osborn. His thought: the more ideas, the better. And that's what it is: a creative meeting where participants come up with ideas together. About an issue, a strategy, a new product or a completely new business. The point is to gather as much input as possible in a short space of time. And note: without judgement. Because there are no wrong ideas.
How to foster creativity: tips
A brainstorming session is only successful if you are almost overflowing with good ideas afterwards. But ... creativity cannot be forced. But you can train it or call it off. You can do so by creating the right setting. For example, by starting the session with an 'energiser'. This is a short activity, often with a playful twist, that creates energy and grabs attention. For example, by shaking up your participants and saying, "Stand up if you haven't had your coffee yet. Or by asking, "Which of you is most likely to parachute first?
Music is also a good way to foster creativity. Or a role-play. Have participants think like the customer. Or as the CEO of a major competitor. By the way, colour is also a fine way to give creativity just that good push. Orange, yellow and purple are good colours to use. Orange creates a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere, where you encourage a sense of team spirit and cooperation. Yellow is energetic and perfect for sessions where concentration and mental activity are important. And purple? The colour of creativity. It stimulates the part of your brain that solves problems.
Organising a good brainstorming session in 7 steps
A good brainstorming session stands or falls with ... yes: preparation. Follow these steps and you will go a long way.
What do you want an answer to after the session? Write down that question. For example: 'How do we reach a new target group of customers?' 'How can we better deal with customer complaints?' Or: 'What will be the marketing strategy of 2026?' By formulating clear questions, your participants will know what the session is about.
Think beyond just your team. Who else can contribute to this issue? People from other departments, for example. Or experts from this field. An external partner you work with a lot. We always say: the more mixed the group, the better the result.
Turn your participants on. You don't do that at your own location. Different surroundings provide different insights. Not a standard meeting room, but an inspiring event location with all the tools you need.
Getting started can be difficult. A working form can help you. For example mind mapping where you visualise ideas around a central theme. Or Crazy 8: where people work out 8 rough ideas in 8 minutes. Pace yourself! Brainwriting also works well: here you write down an idea on paper, pass it on to someone else and complete your predecessor's. Receiving a lot of ideas? Then the 6-3-5 method is a good one. Here, 6 people, write down 3 ideas. They pass this on to another, who also writes down 3 ideas. And you do this 5 times. A different setting is also possible, by the way. For example, 4-3-2.
Do you find it difficult to lead the conversation? Then a facilitator can help you. This is someone who guards the time, makes sure everyone participates and steers the conversation in the right direction. No more long chats or the same people talking all the time. Moreover, this person can sometimes think along and come up with good ideas.
Good food can also be 'brain food'. Snacks and drinks that contribute to a creative mindset. Because let's face it: a cheese sandwich is tasty, but perhaps not inspiring. Provide healthy food, with a fun twist. Something your attendees don't often eat at home.
Before you are left with a gigantic list of ideas, it is smart to make a selection. Let participants think along: which ones are good to work on? And why? Make sure everyone has a say. And besides: who picks this up?
Organising a brainstorming session at Jaarbeurs
At Jaarbeurs we have already seen hundreds of brainstorming sessions and events pass by. It remains special to see everyone leave inspired. Smiling faces and happy people. With us, you create the perfect setting to think just that little bit differently. This is possible thanks to our flexible spaces in MeetUp. Convenient layouts and of course with everything you need: flipcharts, screens and ... delicious catering.
Want to organise a brainstorming session?
Get in touch and discover the possibilities of Jaarbeurs!
