How to Measure Attendee Engagement and Event Value in Real Time Using Smartwatches

In today's data-driven event landscape, understanding the real-time emotional impact of your programming is no longer optional — it's essential. Traditional post-event surveys and feedback forms often fall short, capturing only what attendees remember (or are willing to write down) — and rarely the moments that truly mattered in the moment.

Enter Value Measurement with SIX: the neuroscience-backed approach to capturing in-the-moment attendee engagement and emotional response, using everyday wearable devices like Apple Watch, Garmin, Fitbit, Oura, and Whoop.

🎯 Why Traditional Event Feedback Falls Short

Surveys are subjective. Focus groups are filtered. And both are backwards-looking. Research shows that attendees forget more than 50% of what they experienced just one hour after an event — meaning most post-event feedback is incomplete at best, and misleading at worst.

If you want to know what really moved people — what built trust, sparked action, or fell flat — you need to measure emotional engagement as it happens.

🧠 Introducing Real-Time Value Measurement with SIX

SIX is a neuroscience-powered platform that uses biometric data from wearable devices and proprietary algorithms to measure the neurochemical signals associated with emotional engagement — in real time. Grounded in over 20 years of research led by Dr. Paul Zak, a pioneer in the neuroscience of human connection, SIX captures physiological indicators that infer the brain’s release of oxytocin — the neurochemical tied to trust, attention, recall, and emotional resonance.

By pairing with wearables like Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, Whoop, and Oura, SIX provides a continuous stream of anonymized, passive data that shows exactly when your audience is most engaged — and when they’re not. Whether you're designing a keynote, hosting a conference, or curating a group experience, SIX gives you in-the-moment insights into what works — backed by science and protected by full participant anonymity.

Ready to elevate your immersive experience? Here’s how you can start measuring value today:

• Set Up: Simply navigate to the 'Invites' tab in the SIX app, click 'Create an Invite,' and select 'Live Event.' Enter your event title and the time frame you want to measure, then customize any advanced settings to fit your needs. Once done, click 'Share' to generate a link and QR code that you can distribute to attendees. Some event hosts entice participation with a free swag bag or giveaway for those who join.
• Place Location Beacons (Optional): For more accurate location-based insights, consider placing beacons strategically throughout your venue. While the SIX App offers approximate location tracking that allows you to map insights to particular experiential elements, using beacons provides greater precision.
• Attendee Opts-In: Your attendee will download the SIX app, where they can opt-in to anonymously and passively share their experience with you. Participation is always voluntary, and data is fully anonymized to ensure privacy.
• Measure In-the-Moment: As soon as attendees opt-in, the app guides them to pair their smartwatch or wearable and start measurement. While they journey through your immersive experience, our advanced algorithms track the release of neurotransmitters like oxytocin and dopamine. This provides in-the-moment insights into the neurologic value they’re receiving, automatically capturing the key high and low moments for you.*
• Get Detailed Insights: After the measurement window closes, open the SIX App to receive a FREE Value and Safety Score along with a summary of actionable insights. For a more comprehensive analysis, you can purchase a detailed post-event report for $10 per person that includes a dynamic timeline of experiential impact, demographic summaries, and tailored insights. This allows you to fully understand and maximize the value your experience delivers, ensuring it resonates deeply with your audience and meets financial expectations.
  
  

📊 Why This Matters — And What It Means for ROI

As an event creator, proving value is essential — for sponsors, stakeholders, and future programming. SIX gives you:

• The power to optimize your content in real time.

• Credible, science-backed data to support ROI conversations.

• A way to validate experiences without relying on post-event surveys.

🔗 A 2024 Freeman report found that 91% of event professionals say proving ROI is a top priority — yet only 29% trust the metrics they currently use. SIX helps bridge that gap.

🚀 Ready to Make Your Event Smarter?

With Value Measurement, you can:

• Measure emotional engagement in real time using wearables

• Evaluate which moments are most (and least) impactful

• Show sponsors and stakeholders the value you’re delivering

📲 Download the SIX app and start measuring what truly matters.

Let your audience tell you what works — without saying a word.

*Note, Immersion can help you source wearables if you are interested in providing them to your visitors. Email info@getimmersion.com to learn more.