8 Creative Meeting Formats Your Remote Team Can Try on SpatialChat

When your team is working together in a SpatialChat office, spontaneous conversations become part of the culture. Just like walking up to someone’s desk or running into a teammate in a hallway, SpatialChat’s spatial design makes it easy to strike up a quick chat—no formal meeting needed.

Of course, some discussions do call for a structured meeting—whether it's to brainstorm, align on decisions, or debrief after a project. One of the advantages of hosting virtual meetings on SpatialChat is the ability to move freely through a digital space. You can see where meetings are happening, drop in for a quick exchange, or shift between conversations naturally. It creates an environment where visibility and flexibility drive better communication.

These dynamic spaces also allow teams to explore creative meeting formats that reduce Zoom fatigue and encourage more engagement—like quick icebreaker games or fun 5-minute activities before diving into the agenda.

To help you reimagine your next virtual meeting, here are a few inspiring formats we’ve seen in action:

8 Creative Meeting Ideas to Try in SpatialChat

1. Fishbowl Meetings

In a fishbowl-style meeting, you create two groups: active participants in the “inner circle” and observers in the “outer circle.” Anyone in the outer circle can join the discussion when someone steps out, creating a natural rotation of voices.

One team adapted this format by color-coding chairs in their digital meeting room. Specific colors indicated who could speak and who should just listen—making it easy to guide participation without interrupting flow.

2. Approve/Disapprove Exercises

This is a simple yet effective way to spark discussion or take a quick pulse check from your team. Sometimes used for decision-making and other times just for fun, this format invites everyone to physically move their avatars to one side of the room or the other—depending on whether they agree or disagree with a statement.

It’s especially useful during retrospectives or as a lighthearted icebreaker. Facilitators can ask anything from “Should we implement this new feature?” to “Does pineapple belong on pizza?” and watch as opinions play out visually across the room.

3. Set Up a Debate Table

Whether you’re looking to tackle a real topic or just want a fun team-building activity, a debate-style setup can spark lively and engaging discussions. Designate two sides of a virtual table—each representing a position in the debate. Team members take a seat on the side they’ll argue for, which can either reflect their actual opinion or be chosen at random for a more creative twist.

This setup encourages participants to think critically, practice empathy, and engage in healthy dialogue—perfect for brainstorming sessions or as a high-energy icebreaker.

4. Speed Networking with a Twist

Turn a row of two-person tables into a fast-paced “speed dating” zone to help teammates connect. Whether you’re welcoming new hires, running a virtual retreat, or just want to strengthen team bonds, this setup encourages one-on-one conversations in a relaxed, low-pressure format.

A session host can guide the flow by using the Megaphone feature on SpatialChat to signal when it's time to rotate. While each pair chats privately at their own table, the host remains audible to all, helping keep things moving smoothly.

5. Run a “Rose, Bud, Thorn” Reflection Session

This exercise encourages thoughtful sharing and team reflection through simple prompts. By dividing the digital space into three themed areas—Rose, Bud, and Thorn—you guide participants through different layers of conversation as they physically move between topics:

• Rose: What’s going well? What’s something you’re proud of or grateful for?
• Bud: What’s just beginning to bloom? What are you looking forward to?
• Thorn: What’s been challenging? What do you need help with?

Visiting each space helps create a natural rhythm to the session. Visual cues on the screen keep everyone focused, and a thoughtfully designed environment adds a sense of calm and intention to the conversation.

6. Host an Engaging All-Hands or Town Hall Meeting

All-hands meetings and town halls are essential moments for alignment, transparency, and connection—especially for remote teams. But in traditional video conferencing platforms, it’s often hard to keep everyone engaged or create a sense of shared presence.

Here are a few ways you can make this kind of company-wide meeting more interactive and memorable in a virtual space:

• Create seating zones: Arranging virtual tables allows employees to "sit together" in groups, making the environment feel more personal. It also encourages side conversations and collaboration once the main meeting ends—fostering the kind of spontaneous interaction that’s often missing in remote work.
• Embed key resources throughout the space: Instead of pasting links in a chat box that quickly gets buried, you can link important documents, forms, or slides to objects in the space itself—like digital signs or interactive elements—so they’re easily accessible before, during, and after the meeting.
• Use the Megaphone for speakers: The Megaphone feature in SpatialChat lets presenters address the entire room without interrupting smaller discussions happening in other areas. It ensures everyone hears the important updates, no matter where they are in the space.

7. Try a “World Café” for Topic-Driven Conversations

Perfect for retreats, offsites, or brainstorming sessions, the World Café format encourages rich, rotating discussions across multiple topics.

Here’s how it works: Set up a series of tables, each labeled with a specific topic or question. Team members can join any table based on what they’re interested in discussing. After a set time—say, 10 minutes—they rotate to another table to dive into a new topic.

You can guide the flow by setting timers or having a facilitator gently prompt transitions. The Megaphone feature helps the facilitator check in with the whole group, give instructions, or share collective insights at the end.

With just a few well-labeled tables, some clear prompts, and a welcoming space, this format turns a typical meeting into a dynamic experience that taps into the wisdom of your whole team.

8. Swap Meetings for Casual Coworking Time

Not every interaction needs to be a formal meeting. Sometimes, your team just needs a shared space to work quietly alongside each other or have informal chats throughout the day. Setting up a relaxed coworking zone in your virtual office—something more laid-back than structured tables and chairs—can create that sense of togetherness.

For instance, one team created a cozy, visually calming koi pond area designed for casual hangouts and coworking sessions. Instead of scheduled meetings, teammates drop in throughout the day to work side by side, catch up, or simply enjoy a shared virtual presence. It’s a great way to foster connection without adding another event to the calendar.

Make Virtual Meetings More Dynamic and Human

From structured conversations to casual coworking, virtual spaces offer the flexibility to make meetings more engaging, personal, and productive. Whether you’re rethinking your all-hands format or experimenting with new icebreakers, the possibilities are endless.

Ready to reinvent your team’s virtual experience? Start building your own digital workspace today.