NYC Meet Up#25 - Gamestorming: Games That Get Groups Unstuck!
How many meetings this month actually moved something?
The best sessions you’ve ever been in probably had rules, a goal, a little tension and a lot of energy. In other words, they felt like a game.
That’s the idea behind Gamestorming: structured activities that help groups get creative, collaborate and crack complex problems. The authors call games “powerful and purposeful thought experiments.” They make the invisible visible, open up new possibilities, and make it safe to question assumptions and get things wrong.
L&D Shakers NYC and Voltage Control’s Facilitation Lab NYC are teaming up for an evening of it, led by Noelle Pourrat.
Here’s the twist: the facilitators are you.
After a quick look at why gamestorming works, Noelle hands the room over. Volunteers from the audience step up to run role-plays, scenarios and activities straight from the book with small groups. You’ll practice your facilitation live, try new moves in a low-stakes room, and hear straight from the people you facilitated what landed and what didn’t. Not up for leading? Jump in as a player and help a peer level up.
What you’ll walk away with:
A framework for thinking about the structure of your meetings, workshops, or learning sessions through the lens of a game.
First-hand experience with multiple activities you can use and adapt for your context.
Hands-on facilitation practice in a community of peers.
Insights from fellow L&D professionals and facilitators on the art, practice, and fun of facilitating groups.
About Noelle
Noelle is a facilitator and learning designer who loves figuring out how the right structure helps groups have the conversations that matter most. She’s spent 11 years in philanthropy, three of them in L&D, and now supports a grantmaking team with strategic planning, collaborative problem-solving and process improvement.
Two communities, one room, lots of sticky notes. No experience needed, just a willingness to play. Want to lead a group? Let us know when you register.
Spots are limited because the small groups are, so grab yours now.
Your NYC Catalysts,
Sally & Saad