Disclosed are conferencing systems, devices, architectures, and methods for implementing a trigger-based conferencing system to facilitate increased productivity meeting participation. An exemplary method, in accordance with embodiments, of managing a workflow application in a conference, where the conference includes a plurality of events, can include: (i) creating a trigger by defining a predicate and action for the trigger; (ii) registering the trigger to at least one of a plurality of detection points; (iii) evaluating the trigger's predicate each time any of the detection points against which it is registered are encountered; and (iv) executing actions associated with the trigger if the predicate evaluation is positive, where execution of the actions can result in a state change in the conference.