How to source wellness services and mental health offerings for meetings
It seems nowadays that everyone is a wellness guru offering fun runs, yoga and meditation at events. Do you really know how to buy these services? In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of both physical and mental well-being has a newfound place in events of all types. The trend promotes connection and productivity, reduces stress and demonstrates an organization’s commitment to the well-being of all involved. Here are 5 questions to answer when choosing wellness offerings:
Why are You Adding a Wellness Offering?
There is no one right answer here. Naming the intention will help determine what activities to select, where to put your focus and how the activity fits into the flow of your event. If your event decision-makers are adding wellness because they think it is expected but have no commitment to people doing the event, understand that from the start will help you be realistic. If leadership expects people to participate and needs data to prove its value as an event investment, that is an entirely different prioritization.
What Types of Offerings Will Your Attendees Actually Use?
Offering a body practice (yoga, running, massage) may look different for suit-wearing CEOs. A mental health (mindfulness or meditation) activity may be different for a group of young children or military personnel. Does your group skew toward morning people or late-night people? That could impact when to offer the wellness activity. Choose carefully the activities with the end goal in mind.
How to Select an Offering?
What meeting professionals may not realize is teaching physical or mental well-being offerings requires an advanced level of education. Just as hiring a junior meeting professional means something different than a certified meeting professional. Take this into consideration when you hire well-being professionals. You are trusting these people with your most precious resource—the minds and bodies of your attendees.
Read More: Why Meeting Planners Should Put Wellness First
Always ask the wellness professional what accreditation, certificate or certification they have early in the conversation. Ask them how much training and personal practice they have had. Verify the qualifications and experience of the professionals you hire to ensure they can deliver meaningful, safe and impactful sessions. The effectiveness of wellness offerings greatly depends on the expertise of the instructors or facilitators leading the activities.
What is Your Budget?
Budget time for both staff and participants, space and money. Budget plays a crucial role in determining the extent of wellness and mental health offerings you can include in your event. Balance the cost of these activities with their potential benefits and the overall budget of the event. Remember that investing in the well-being of attendees can lead to increased productivity and satisfaction.
Are You Addressing Risk?
It’s crucial to assess and mitigate the risks associated with these activities to ensure a safe, inclusive and successful event. Your event wellness professional should know how to incorporate all levels of physical and/or mental ability. What steps are you taking to assess the potential risk associated with each ability and ensure that appropriate safety measures are in place? Keep in mind both physical and mental concerns such as allergies and health concerns, PTSD, ADD, ADHD. Provide alternatives and opt-out options for those who may be affected. Remember, not only does it contribute to a healthier and more engaged audience, but it also proves to be a financially wise decision with an impressive return on investment.
Read More: Event Safety PSA: Failing to Prepare Could Cost You
Integrating wellness offerings into your meeting or event can significantly enhance the experience for attendees. As a meeting professional, it is crucial to pause before jumping in and ask these five questions. The answers will save you time and money down the road. By prioritizing safety, considering attendees’ needs and working with experienced professionals, you can create a wellness program that fosters a positive and beneficial experience for all participants. You might even find yourself sneaking away to have a stress reduction, wellness-inspiring activity during the event.
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Holly Duckworth, CMP, CAE, CWMF is CEO of Leadership Solutions International with more than 20 years of industry experience offering leadership and wellness keynotes, wellness centers and workplace meditation at events such as IMEX America. Holly was named 2016 Smart Meetings Innovator of the Year for her work in industry wellness. She is the founder of the American Mindfulness Association advancing the ethics and professionalism of workplace secular and neuroscience-based mindfulness. holly@leadershipsolutionsIntl.com
This article appears in the September 2023 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
