When you are choosing team building activities for large groups, consider what people can accomplish together for the community. A shared volunteer project gives participants a clear task and a reason to connect. Packing snacks for local children is one way to put that idea into action.
At World of Workato (WOW) 2026, participating attendees packed 3,800 MATTERbox Snack Packs for the Boys and Girls Club in Las Vegas. The packs went to five branches throughout the city.
That is what giving back and making an impact can look like at a conference. People come together. They contribute what they can. And their actions reach beyond the room.
How WOW 2026 brought giving back into the conference
Held September 22–24 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, WOW 2026 brought together Workato customers, prospective customers, and partners to learn, connect, and advance their enterprise AI strategies.
The MATTERbox packing activation gave participating attendees another way to contribute during the event. They packed snacks and wrote notes of encouragement for children in the Las Vegas community.
One participant, Yuko, shared:
“Off stage, Ken Ng and I pitched in at Workato Cares with MATTER ® led by Heidi Urbauer, Brian Lemoine, June Lee, packing snack and writing notes of encouragement for kids in Las Vegas. Small seeds, planted with care. It was heart warming.♥”
Small seeds, planted with care. A snack. A note. A moment spent thinking about someone you may never meet in the community.
Many participants said they had never done anything like this before. They appreciated having the opportunity as part of the conference and described it as helpful.
For planners, that feedback is worth hearing. Your event can introduce people to a new way to serve. It can make giving back something they take part in, right where they are.
Choosing a charitable team building activity
Start with the people who will receive the support. Ask a nonprofit partner what is needed and how your group can help. Build the activity around that answer.
Then think about participation. Will people arrive together or join throughout the event? How much time can they comfortably give? Can someone understand the task quickly and contribute without previous experience?
For a large group, plan the flow before the first participant arrives. Consider table space, accessible participation, instructions, supplies, and how completed items will move out of the packing area. Give people a clear purpose as well as a clear task.
Finally, decide what you will report afterward. Count what was completed and explain where it went. At WOW, the result was specific: 3,800 Snack Packs for five local branches. Those details help participants understand what their efforts made possible.
Ways to include giving back in your event
A brief packing stop could fit between conference sessions. A dedicated volunteer block could bring people together, building teamwork around a shared goal, working in collaboration. A sponsor-supported activity could connect a company’s participation to local service.
Think about the experience you want to create before selecting a format. A short activity needs an easy entry point. A scheduled session needs time for an introduction, participation, and a closing explanation of the impact. In either setting, tell people who they are helping and why their contribution matters.
These are planning options for future events. The WOW story offers an example of the impact a packing activation can produce. For additional inspiration, explore MATTER’s conference activation page.
Frequently asked questions
What is charitable team building?
Charitable team building brings people together to complete a service project. At a conference, that could mean packing snacks and writing encouragement notes for a local nonprofit. The shared activity gives attendees a practical way to contribute together and create a shared culture of giving.
Can MATTERbox work for a large group?
Yes. MATTER designs activations for small conferences and large conventions. Share your expected participation, space, and schedule so the team can recommend a suitable setup.
How much time does a packing activity take?
A typical MATTERbox participant spends two to five minutes packing a kit. Dedicated volunteer sessions can run 30 to 90 minutes.
Who receives the completed packs?
Planners can support an existing nonprofit partner or work with MATTER to identify a recipient. At WOW 2026, the Snack Packs went to five Boys and Girls Club branches in Las Vegas.
How much does a MATTERbox packing event cost?
Pricing depends on event size, kit choice, branding, and logistics. Request a proposal based on your event’s needs. Sponsorship is also an option.
How do we start planning?
Contact MATTER with your date, location, estimated participation, and budget. Start early so there is time to coordinate the details.
Make your next gathering matter
Thank you to Workato and everyone who participated at WOW 2026. You helped provide snacks and encouragement for children across Las Vegas.
Your next gathering can give people an opportunity to care, too.
Inquire about a MATTERbox conference activation. Let’s turn your group’s willingness to help into something the community can use.
You matter. And what you do for someone else matters too!
