The Most Engaging Types of Content for Digital Screens in Gathering Spaces

The Most Engaging Types of Content for Digital Screens in Gathering Spaces 6 minute read \| Updated April 15, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, commercial properties have an opportunity to transform everyday gathering spaces—like building lobbies, waiting areas, lounges, and seating areas—into dynamic hubs of information, engagement, and entertainment. Strategically placed digital screens can create a more welcoming atmosphere, improve visitor satisfaction, and even boost the perception of a brand or building. But what content actually works in these spaces? Let’s dive into the most effective types of both static and interactive media content that capture attention and deliver real value.
Static Content That Informs and Captivates Static (or scheduled looped) content is easy to manage and requires no user interaction, yet it can still be highly effective in high-traffic areas. Here are some impactful examples: 1. Digital Directories & Wayfinding Maps A must-have in lobbies and large buildings, digital directories help visitors find their way quickly and reduce the burden on front desk staff. Include: Company or tenant listings Suite numbers and floors Interactive floor maps with clear navigation paths 2. Building or Campus Announcements Keep visitors and tenants up to date with: Upcoming events Scheduled maintenance Holiday hours or closures Health and safety protocols 3. Local News & Weather Live feeds provide relevant, constantly changing content: Live news feeds and weather updates are common in waiting areas, offering timely and dynamic content. They keep visitors informed with constantly changing information relevant to their day. This type of content encourages engagement, giving people a reason to look up and stay attentive. 4. Branded Visuals & Promotional Messaging Use high-quality visuals to promote: Onsite amenities (like cafes, fitness centers, or retail stores) Sustainability efforts or green building certifications Community involvement or charitable initiatives 5. Live TV Integrating live cable TV into your digital signage creates a dynamic and engaging experience that keeps audiences informed, entertained, and more likely to stay connected to your content. Live TV draws attention and keeps viewers watching longer. Provides up-to-date news, sports, and entertainment that’s always relevant. Eye-catching broadcasts can pull people in and encourage them to linger. Combine TV with custom messaging or promotions on split screens. 6. Art & Scenic Photography Digital art displays or rotating scenic photography from local artists or landmarks can elevate the ambiance and create a sense of place. This works especially well in lounges and upscale lobbies. Interactive Media That Engages and Entertains Interactive digital screens invite visitors to touch, explore, and discover, making their experience more personalized and memorable. These work especially well in seating areas, lounges, or multi-use public spaces. 1. Interactive Wayfinding with Search Functions An enhanced version of static wayfinding, these screens let users: Search for specific tenants or departments View ADA-compliant accessible routes Send directions to their phone via QR code or text 2. Event Calendars and Room Booking Let tenants or visitors view: Conference room availability Building or community events Registration info or RSVP options 3. Social Media & Entertainment Interactive screens can pull in real-time social media feeds to engage viewers in multimedia content, trivia, fun facts, and other entertainment and lets users browse local happenings and even tenant newsletters. 4. Use Data-Driven Scheduling For maximum impact, tailor content to match the time of day and audience. For example: Morning commuters may appreciate news and traffic Lunchtime might feature local restaurant promos After-hours? Highlight amenities, safety reminders, or relaxing ambient visuals The Key Takeaway The best digital screen content in gathering spaces balances useful information with engaging visuals and interactive opportunities. Whether static or interactive, content should be thoughtfully curated to match the environment and serve the needs of visitors, tenants, and staff alike. Done right, these displays do more than just inform—they enhance the entire experience. Explore itouchinc.com for more information on our solutions or contact us for needs unique to your property or project.

6 minute read | Updated April 15, 2025

In today’s digital-first world, commercial properties have an opportunity to transform everyday gathering spaces—like building lobbies, waiting areas, lounges, and seating areas—into dynamic hubs of information, engagement, and entertainment. Strategically placed digital screens can create a more welcoming atmosphere, improve visitor satisfaction, and even boost the perception of a brand or building.

But what content actually works in these spaces? Let’s dive into the most effective types of both static and interactive media content that capture attention and deliver real value.

Static Content That Informs and Captivates

Static (or scheduled looped) content is easy to manage and requires no user interaction, yet it can still be highly effective in high-traffic areas. Here are some impactful examples:

1. Digital Directories & Wayfinding Maps

A must-have in lobbies and large buildings, digital directories help visitors find their way quickly and reduce the burden on front desk staff. Include:

Company or tenant listings
Suite numbers and floors
Interactive floor maps with clear navigation paths

2. Building or Campus Announcements

Keep visitors and tenants up to date with:

Upcoming events
Scheduled maintenance
Holiday hours or closures
Health and safety protocols

3. Local News & Weather

Live feeds provide relevant, constantly changing content:

Live news feeds and weather updates are common in waiting areas, offering timely and dynamic content.
They keep visitors informed with constantly changing information relevant to their day.
This type of content encourages engagement, giving people a reason to look up and stay attentive.

4. Branded Visuals & Promotional Messaging

Use high-quality visuals to promote:

Onsite amenities (like cafes, fitness centers, or retail stores)
Sustainability efforts or green building certifications
Community involvement or charitable initiatives

5. Live TV

Integrating live cable TV into your digital signage creates a dynamic and engaging experience that keeps audiences informed, entertained, and more likely to stay connected to your content.

Live TV draws attention and keeps viewers watching longer.
Provides up-to-date news, sports, and entertainment that’s always relevant.
Eye-catching broadcasts can pull people in and encourage them to linger.
Combine TV with custom messaging or promotions on split screens.

6. Art & Scenic Photography

Digital art displays or rotating scenic photography from local artists or landmarks can elevate the ambiance and create a sense of place. This works especially well in lounges and upscale lobbies.

Interactive Media That Engages and Entertains

Interactive digital screens invite visitors to touch, explore, and discover, making their experience more personalized and memorable. These work especially well in seating areas, lounges, or multi-use public spaces.

1. Interactive Wayfinding with Search Functions

An enhanced version of static wayfinding, these screens let users:

Search for specific tenants or departments
View ADA-compliant accessible routes
Send directions to their phone via QR code or text

2. Event Calendars and Room Booking

Let tenants or visitors view:

Conference room availability
Building or community events
Registration info or RSVP options

3. Social Media & Entertainment

Interactive screens can pull in real-time social media feeds to engage viewers in multimedia content, trivia, fun facts, and other entertainment and lets users browse local happenings and even tenant newsletters.

4. Use Data-Driven Scheduling

For maximum impact, tailor content to match the time of day and audience. For example:

Morning commuters may appreciate news and traffic
Lunchtime might feature local restaurant promos
After-hours? Highlight amenities, safety reminders, or relaxing ambient visuals

The Key Takeaway

The best digital screen content in gathering spaces balances useful information with engaging visuals and interactive opportunities. Whether static or interactive, content should be thoughtfully curated to match the environment and serve the needs of visitors, tenants, and staff alike. Done right, these displays do more than just inform—they enhance the entire experience.

Explore itouchinc.com for more information on our solutions or contact us for needs unique to your property or project.

The Most Engaging Types of Content for Digital Screens in Gathering Spaces