Guide to Set Up a Social Media Wall for an Event

Are your event attendees scrolling through their phones instead of engaging with your content? You’re not alone. Event planners struggle with keeping audiences actively participating, but there’s a solution that turns passive attendees into active contributors.

A social media wall for an event displays real-time posts, photos, and videos from attendees directly on screens throughout your venue. Whether you’re hosting an in-person conference, hybrid meeting, or virtual event (through website embeds or event apps), social walls create instant connection and engagement.

Why Every Event Needs a Social Media Wall

Social walls solve the engagement problem by making attendees the stars of your event. When people see their posts displayed live, they become invested participants.

Immediate Benefits Include:

• Higher attendee participation rates
• Increased social media mentions and hashtag usage
• Extended event reach beyond physical attendees
• Real-time feedback and sentiment tracking
• Professional content creation from user-generated posts
• More opportunities to sell sponsorships at your event

Choosing the Right Social Wall Platform

Not all social media walls are created equal. The best platforms support multiple content sources and offer real-time updates without technical headaches.

Essential Features to Look For:

• Support for major social networks (Instagram, X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook)
• Real-time content updates
• Content moderation tools
• Custom branding options
• Multiple display layouts
• Easy setup and management
• Features that can help with engagement, like leaderboards, announcements, and polls

Everwall’s event social wall solution supports 15 different content sources, including popular platforms like Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Bluesky, and even SMS submissions. You also get a social media hub at no extra cost, perfect for embedding on websites or in event apps.

Setting Up Your Event Social Wall

Step 1: Plan Your Content Strategy

Before your event begins, decide which social platforms your audience uses most. Create a memorable event hashtag that’s short, unique, and easy to remember.

Step 2: Configure Your Sources

Connect your chosen social media accounts and set up content filters. Most platforms allow you to pull content from:

• Event hashtags
• @mentions of your organization
• Direct submissions through web forms
• SMS messages from attendees

Step 3: Design Your Display

Choose layouts that match your event’s visual identity. Whether you need a single-column feed for lobby displays or a multi-panel layout for main stages, customization ensures your social wall fits seamlessly into your event design.

Content Moderation Best Practices

Automated Filtering
Set up keyword filters to automatically approve or reject posts containing specific terms. This prevents inappropriate content while allowing positive mentions through instantly.

Manual Review Process
For high-stakes events, consider manual moderation where team members approve posts before they appear. This adds a delay but ensures complete control over displayed content.

Real-Time Monitoring
Assign staff members to monitor the social wall during your event. They can quickly address any issues and engage with attendees who are actively participating.

Learn more about effective social wall moderation strategies to keep your content on-brand and engaging.

Maximizing Engagement During Your Event

Getting attendees to participate requires more than just setting up the technology. You need to actively encourage interaction.

Pre-Event Promotion
Include social wall information in your event communications. Show examples of how posts will appear and explain how attendees can participate.

Live Announcements
Have speakers and moderators remind audiences to share their experiences. Consider displaying submission instructions on slides between presentations.

Incentives and Contests
Run contests for the best posts, most creative hashtag usage, or being at the top of the leaderboard. Recognition motivates more attendees to participate throughout your event.

For virtual and hybrid events, social walls work equally well when embedded in event apps or displayed during live streams.

Post-Event Social Media Strategy

Your social wall’s value doesn’t end when your event does. The content generated becomes valuable marketing material for future events.

Content Repurposing
Compile the best posts into highlight reels, blog posts, or social media campaigns. User-generated content often performs better than branded content alone.

Attendee Follow-Up
Thank participants who contributed to your social wall. Personal acknowledgment builds stronger relationships and increases the likelihood they’ll engage at future events.

Performance Analysis
Track metrics like post volume, engagement rates, and hashtag reach. This data helps you optimize social wall strategies for upcoming events.

Technical Requirements and Setup

Modern social wall platforms prioritize ease of use, but you’ll still need basic technical preparation.

Display Requirements:

• Large screens or projectors for visibility
• Reliable internet connection for real-time updates
• Backup display options for critical events

Staff Training:

• Brief team members on moderation processes
• Assign roles for monitoring and engagement
• Create contingency plans for technical issues

Most professional social wall services, like Everwall, offer technical support and can provide custom design services for complex setups.

Social Media Walls for Different Event Types

Corporate Events and Conferences
Professional social walls help with networking and knowledge sharing. Attendees can ask questions, share insights, and connect with speakers in real-time. They can also be great for driving additional sponsorship revenue.

Weddings and Celebrations
Personal events benefit from social walls by capturing memories and including guests who couldn’t attend. Wedding social walls create lasting digital scrapbooks, and make it easy for the couple to access the photos and videos from their wedding after the event.

Trade Shows and Exhibitions
Social walls at trade shows amplify booth activities and create buzz around product demonstrations. They help exhibitors reach attendees throughout the venue, not just those who visit their booths.

Measuring Social Wall Success

Track these key metrics to evaluate your social media wall’s impact:

• Number of posts displayed
• Unique contributors
• Hashtag reach and impressions
• Engagement rates on social platforms
• Attendee feedback scores

Successful social walls typically see 40-60% of attendees participating in some form of social media activity.