Traditional training often explains what to do. Escape-room-style learning forces participants to apply it.

In this interactive session, you’ll experience a short, table-based micro escape challenge built around a realistic workplace scenario. Working in small groups, you’ll solve interconnected tasks that mirror real performance behaviors: prioritizing information, identifying risks, and making decisions under constraints.

Then we’ll rewind the clock and dissect what just happened. You’ll see how puzzle dependencies map to learning objectives and learn how to prevent cognitive overload and how to structure challenge sequences without creating chaos. We’ll also explore how generative AI can accelerate drafting clues and scenario variations while keeping human control over alignment and difficulty.

In this session, you will learn about:

• A repeatable framework for designing escape-room-style learning tied to real performance tasks 
• Guidelines for mapping puzzles to objectives without overcomplicating logic
• Practical tips for managing logistics in conference rooms or workplaces
• Strategies for securing stakeholder buy-in for experiential formats

If you’ve ever wanted to make learning more active without sacrificing substance, this session will show you how to design for both engagement and impact.

This session is appropriate for learning professionals familiar with basic instructional design principles but who are new to applying game mechanics in structured learning environments. No prior experience with escape rooms or game design is required. The focus is on mapping mechanics to objectives and designing manageable, scalable experiences.