The Walking Billboard is an informal icebreaker which is very useful when opening a meeting. Participants prepare and wear a personal "billboard": a sheet of flip chart paper with their name and answers to interesting questions about themselves. They then mingle for a short time; the billboards help catalyse conversations.
WHEN TO USE IT AND WHY
The Walking Billboard is best used at the beginning of a meeting or workshop. Participants
can converse with previously unknown persons more easily thanks to the personal responses (to
previously selected, common questions) which are written on the billboards. This exercise strikes a note of informality and, with the paper billboard covering participants’ outfits and name tags, helps even out implied hierarchies and cultural barriers.
can converse with previously unknown persons more easily thanks to the personal responses (to
previously selected, common questions) which are written on the billboards. This exercise strikes a note of informality and, with the paper billboard covering participants’ outfits and name tags, helps even out implied hierarchies and cultural barriers.
HOW TO?
- Ask participants to propose questions that they would like to ask others at the event. Give them examples to begin with, such as "What is your favourite book?", "What movie did you see most recently?", "What is your main area of work?", "Where have you worked the longest in your life?", "What is the source of your interest in the theme of this event?", etc. The key is to have a healthy mix of light-hearted and substantive (but short) questions.
- Write the proposed questions on a flipchart, and stop once you have at least 8 - 10. Read out the list and have a vote (a quick show of hands) among participants as to which ones they would like to select. Choose 3 – 5 popular questions.
- Give each participant a sheet of flipchart paper and ask them to create attractive billboards using colour markers, clearly writing their names and their brief responses to the selected questions. Allow 5 minutes.
- Have participants tape their billboards on their shoulders, covering the chest. Ask them to move around the room and mingle. Encourage everyone to talk to at least 5 people in 15 minutes, and to use the answers written on the billboards as conversation starters.
- Gather the group back in plenary and ask one or two volunteers to share their insights on the activity, whether they met anyone interesting, and any other highlights.
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
- A facilitator
- Flipchart paper (one sheet for each participant)
- Colour marker pens
- 15-50 participants
- 30 minutes
MORE INFORMATION / SOURCE
- UNICEF, 2019. Knowledge Exchange Toolbox. A collection of tools "for anyone who needs to make effective decisions, facilitate or guide effective decision-making processes, or manage or coordinate group work in development that requires the knowledge of multiple persons to succeed." The Waling Billboard and other tools are found under "Icebreakers".