Avoiding ‘death by PowerPoint’: how to design engaging and inclusive events

We’ve all been there – sitting through hours of presentations while our attention drifts and our energy fades. Even the most motivated people can struggle to stay focused when information is delivered in long, uninterrupted blocks.

I recently attended a full-day workshop where the morning was devoted to a series of briefings, followed by afternoon focus groups. The day was well organised and the content was valuable, but it was clear that engagement dipped as the morning went on. By the afternoon, when the format became more interactive, the energy in the room noticeably lifted. It reminded me how much design matters, not just in what we communicate, but in how we do it.

Why format matters

Many of us have grown up in a culture of ‘death by PowerPoint’, where success is measured by how much information we can deliver in a short space of time. Yet research on attention, learning and engagement tells a different story. Long stretches of passive listening are not only tiring – they limit understanding, participation and retention.

Common barriers include:

• sustained passive listening, which leads to mental fatigue
• information overload, where key messages become lost in volume
• sensory strain from bright lighting, dense slides or crowded spaces
• lack of movement, which reduces energy and focus

These factors affect everyone to some degree, but they can be particularly challenging for neurodivergent colleagues, such as those with ADHD, autism or sensory sensitivities. Extended periods of passive listening, limited movement and intense sensory environments can make participation much harder – not because of lack of interest, but because the setting itself isn’t designed for different cognitive and sensory needs.

The hidden cost of disengagement

If the goal is to inspire, align or inform, then participation is as important as presentation. When people leave feeling that they’ve been ‘talked at’, rather than invited into the conversation, we lose opportunities for insight, collaboration and shared ownership.

Designing for engagement is about removing barriers and creating the conditions where everyone can contribute fully – regardless of their learning style, personality or neurotype.