Wellness is already in events’ DNA. See in action how planners can amplify it to multiply ROI.
Smart Meetings Wellness Experience brought not-a-buzzword, capital-W Wellness to life in word and action.
From keynotes and education about what wellness truly is (and why it matters for every planner, along with their attendees) to moments large and small that showcased what wellness looks like in an event, every attendee walked away with not only a greater understanding of what wellness is logically, but what it is in action, and what it feels like to be an attendee going home from an event that made wellness a priority.
Across the breathtaking 20,000+ sq. ft. of vibrant, distinct meeting space at La Fonda on the Plaza attendees made brilliant connections and took part in an experience that both refreshed and inspired, heading home with elevated understanding and ideas of how to incorporate wellness into their own events, for all of their own attendees. The ripple effect begins!
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Wellness, now. Here’s how!
The event kicked off with a keynote from Angela Minardi, founder of Fit City Adventures, who redefined wellness and broke down how planners can better incorporate it—easily.
“[Wellness] is not just 6 a.m. yoga anymore,” she explained. “It’s meeting people where they’re at, and there are so many ways we can do it.” One of those ways, she demonstrated, is incorporating water reminders (which is exactly what it sounds like—in the middle of her keynote, reminding everyone in the room to stop and take a sip of water, right then and there). Water is so crucial to everyone’s health, and hydrated attendees are happier, healthier and more energized, especially while meeting in a high-altitude destination like Santa Fe. It takes just a moment to tell the crowd, “Let’s take a water break.” Everyone takes a sip of water, and then you can continue right on.
So, why wellness, and why now? Minardi referenced a recent McKinsey study that found that wellness in the United States is now a $480 billion market, and it’s continuing to grow, with 82% of people agreeing that wellness is a top, or at least a very important, priority.
She broke down the top five trends planners should look out for, and explained how they can incorporate these trends into their meetings.
- Brain Breaks. Calming the nervous system through elements like quiet rooms or even just leading the crowd through a deep breathing exercise, enables people to be better engaged. Get creative and use the resources available to you.
- Healthy Hour is the New Happy Hour. Consider the rising popularity of juice bars, mocktails and collagen eye masks. These are activations you can do before dinner, around 4 to 6 p.m. Attendees can experience some “me time” in a space built into the conference where they will meet each other and connect, and you provide a great opportunity for sponsors to get that one-on-one connection with branding incorporated.
- Sweatworking is the New Networking. Give people the option to let down their walls in a fun, fit way, and get outside. Consider a “choose your adventure” day where attendees can do fun activities and network, without even realizing they are. Nothing builds bonds like embarking on an adventure; attendees who started the activity as strangers leave as friends.
- White Glove Wellness Works Wonders. There is a higher demand for wellness lounges, which can be done anywhere from expo booths to breakout rooms to cabanas. This is another opportunity for sponsors to incorporate their branding.
- Something for Every “Body.” Wellness is something different to everyone. Some people might want a 5K, but others might want a sound bath. Offer variety, and let attendees choose what works for them.
Most importantly, Minardi drove home the age-old point, “When our cup isn’t full, we really can’t give to others.” She went on to guide the audience through a few practices centered around three pillars: mind, body and breath.
After a quick grounding meditation, she walked attendees through a few easy Tai Chi movements and finished by leading the crowd through a quick box breathing exercise. As an added bonus, she had everyone take part in a manifestation exercise, writing a note describing where they are—yes, in present tense—one year from that exact moment, using “I am, I feel, I can see” phrases. Through these quick practices, she equipped everyone in the room with skills that will help them become healthier, more centered versions of themselves—and ultimately, better and stronger planners.
Read More: The Convergence of the Events and Wellness Industries: Why Event Planners Should Care
Self-Care as a Lifestyle
Liz Van Voorhis, founder and CEO of FIT COLLECTIVE, delivered the opening keynote for day two after spending the morning leading the morning movement, getting blood flowing and energy up for those lucky attendees who participated to enjoy a brilliant day. In an enriching keynote, she continued the theme of filling your own cup first, delivering key insights into self-care.
A former planner herself, she told the audience that she has been in their shoes, at their desks, doing the same work they do now; the self-care mindset she introduced to the audience is one tailored for them and the job they do.
“We are calm above water and paddling like hell underneath. That’s what this industry is all about. In fact, we’re praised for it. Things are going to go wrong, but we’re praised for how we handle it. Building resilience will better prepare you for the future—but not at the cost of your well-being,” she said. “How we learn, how we grow our careers, what gets us out of bed is resilience, and it primes us for adaptability, which is what allows us to create innovation in the future. But we cannot neglect our vessel; our body.”
She discusses self-care in three categories. Radical self-care is the life-altering changes you make, like transforming your overall lifestyle. Maintenance refers to the weekly and monthly habits, like establishing boundaries at work or scheduling more downtime into your calendar. Micro self-care is what you can do in the moment, like practicing breathing exercises or going on a walk when you feel overwhelmed; she suggests discovering your own versions of micro self-care, whether it’s making a gratitude list or buying yourself a favorite coffee drink and a snack.
Attendees walked away with their own journaled responses that gave them more insight into how they can implement self-care into their lives in the ways that work for them.
Read More: Hey, Busy Meeting Planner, you feeling stressed?
Wellness in Action
Throughout the three days of enlightening education and joyful connections, every moment reflected what wellness can look like in an event.
Wellness as Hospitality
Old friends and new made up the Smart Meetings signature gifting lounge. Reusable water bottles from La Fonda on the Plaza made sure attendees could stay hydrated and sustainable while visiting Santa Fe and La Fonda on the Plaza (not to mention serving as the unmatched space where all this wellness came to life!).
Through a craft-your-own-signature-scent by Scentex, attendees got to create something to make both home and their home-away-from home feel that much more elegant. Citizen Watch set the stage for feeling good and glamorous with unique necklaces and bracelets of semi-precious stones showcasing their jewelry line, while Select Shades kept attendees comfortable in the Santa Fe sunshine with a range of stylish sunglasses.
Bring in Local Culture; Fuel Connection
The Monday luncheon, after attendees had time to hash out all they’d learned so far with new friends, concluded with a Native American Hoop Dance by local performers. The Hoop Dance, an important cultural tradition across many Native American communities, is a performance by a solo dancer who begins with one hoop, representing the circle of life, and adds additional hoops throughout the dance to form a variety of shapes representing different elements including humans, animals, wind, water and more.
Not only is it an impressive feat—it’s an engaging way to familiarize attendees with the culture of the area they are visiting and the community they’ve entered, which, in its own way, is a form of wellness in the sense that attendees gain a more comprehensive connection to the destination.
All Aboard the Wellness Train
From there, attendees took to the Santa Fe Sky Railway, a unique train that immerses riders in Santa Fe’s railroad history. As passengers wandered throughout the historic train cars, they discovered different musical performances in each car by local artists.
Views from the open-air platforms, or through the windows, showcased the expansive natural landscape. Great music and a great view—who could say no?
It goes to show that events have an easier than expected opportunity to bring in wellness. In an industry that’s all about creating the opportunity for people to share moments of enjoyment, connection and relationship building, the whole point of events already hits on central pillars of wellness just by way of what events are.
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