Blog: Upcoming Tuesday Talk on Audience Engagement and Connection

Designing for Connection, Not Just Attendance by Richard Josey

Reimagining how we shape experiences that truly engage and Why Connection Matters More Than Ever 

I think of every experience, whether it is a gathering, a meeting, or a message, as a kind of container. 
Not just something that holds content, but something that shapes connection.

I believe our experiences do more when we design them for connection rather than solely delivering content. When we prioritize how people feel in the room, and how we connect with one another through the content, not just what they walk away knowing, we create space for something deeper to happen. 

This is not just a design preference. It is a response to the times we are living in. Loneliness, burnout, and social disconnection are at record highs. The U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory named social isolation a national crisis. Gallup reports rising burnout across education and nonprofit sectors. And trust in traditional institutions continues to erode. At the same time, younger generations are asking for more authenticity, more meaning, and more care. They want to feel something. They want to belong. 

From Information Delivery to Cultural Intervention 

As museum professionals, we are uniquely positioned to respond. We do not just deliver programs. We design moments that invite reflection, identity, and memory. Whether it is a conference session, a team meeting, a guided tour, a workshop, or a welcome email, we are always shaping containers. That is why designing with connection in mind is not just a professional skill. It is a cultural intervention. 

Pause and Reflect 

So before we go further, take a moment and ask yourself: 
What was the last session or experience you participated in? 
What did it actually do for you? 
Did it leave you talking about how impressive someone else was? 
Or did it leave you with a clearer sense of what you could do differently, more bravely, or more intentionally? 

The Difference Between Transactional and Relational Spaces 

Many of us have been part of spaces that felt transactional. The content may have been useful, and the logistics may have gone smoothly, but the experience itself felt flat. These are the kinds of sessions that check a box. People show up, but they are not necessarily invited in. I understand this well as I’ve created these before in my career. Relational containers feel different. They are shaped with care, guided by purpose, and designed to foster trust and meaning. It is the difference between a visitor touring an exhibit and a visitor feeling seen by it. 

What Relational Design Looks Like in Practice 

Relational design means shifting from a focus on what we deliver to how people experience it. 
It means:

• Thinking beyond content to include emotion, trust, and connection.
• Recognizing that engagement is not just about participation. It is about presence, resonance, and belonging. 

When we begin to treat all of our containers, like programs, conversations, posts, events, as opportunities for connection, we ask different questions. 
Not just: 

“What do I want people to know?” But also: 

• What do I want them to feel while they are in this space?
• What kind of trust do I want to build among us?
• What do I hope they are moved to do, try, or reflect on afterward? 

These are the kinds of questions that shift an experience from informational to transformational. 

About the Session 

That is the deeper invitation behind Tuesday Talk: Designing Programs for Audience Engagement. While this session focuses on program design, the practice we will explore reaches further. It is about creating containers that hold more than content. It is about building spaces, of any kind, that make people feel seen, safe, and connected. This 90-minute online workshop is not about theory. It is a hands-on space where we will walk through a clear, six-step process for designing experiences that center intention, connection, and care. 

You will learn how to: 

• Clarify your purpose
• Choose a format that fits your goals
• Shape the emotional flow of a space 

Whether you are preparing a presentation, leading a team, writing a welcome letter, or facilitating dialogue, this framework can support your process. 

Your Invitation 

We also know your time is valuable. This session is designed to be both practical and energizing. You will leave with more than a draft of a program. You will walk away with a framework you can return to again and again, no matter what kind of container you are shaping next. Because ultimately, connection is not something that happens by accident. It is something we can design for. The first step in creating a sense of connection and belonging is the invitation. So, we invite you to join us as we evolve our approach from membership to community.  

Who this is for ~ anyone ready to lead with clarity and care.