Open Forum

1. Meaningful opportunities for physical activities: Consider introducing exciting activities that can help attendees to stick to their wellness routines. While yoga, swimming, and Zumba are popular options amongst travelers, you can experiment with meditation sessions, salsa dancing, and hiking, as per the larger interest of your audience. This will help your attendees stay energetic and recharged as you go about your event!
2. Self-care and spiritual retreats: When someone talks about 'self-care' - spas, massages, and facials come to our mind. However, today, attendees are seeking wellness sessions beyond the traditional means. Here, you might want to explore bowl therapy, numerology, palm reading, and tarot card reading. Your audience might also enjoy partnering with local charitable organizations to support worthy causes.
3. Healthier meal choices: No event is complete without food and opting for healthier options is proven to increase concentration. Options such as a superfoods smoothie instead of a pastry snack will keep attendees energized throughout the day. It's time to ditch sodas and cocktails, instead offer coconut water. Pick a catering service that is sure to impress as guests love locally produced products.
4. Serene views and breathtaking locations: Wellness could be as simple as a breath of fresh air. Moreover, an inspiring environment prompts physical activity and helps to clear the mind. You can opt for meeting destinations that offer the right mix of excellent backdrops, activities flora and fauna, and local traditions.

• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events?
• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years?

If you're a Cvent user, we have an amazing opportunity for your to help shape the future of Cvent's product experience and participate in research activities. Join our UX Research Panel today by filling out this short survey!

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#Miscellaneous
#ManagingOn-site

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Ridhima Krishan
Sr. Associate, Customer Marketing
Cvent
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• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events? We offer morning stretching and walks-  preferably outside if the location allows. In addition to offering healthy snacks, and meals. I've also seen gifts such as USB essential oil diffusers given to attendees.
• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years? I think a shift to focus on mental health is a huge driver, and I hope that companies understand that being at events, while fun, can be stressful as they put work and family aside - so offering activities or stress relief swag, in beautiful destinations can be a huge impact.

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Beth Vriesen
Events Registration Admin
Associated Bank Corporation
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How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events?

• We almost always have free time during our trips and we suggest a few options of activities for registrants, including relaxing and calm activities. We also try to offer pampering gifts, depending on the clientele.

How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years?

• I didn't see much demand, apart from a few activities, from my end, but we'll see!

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Cassandre Therrien
Technology Coordinator - Groups, Meetings and Events
Les Voyages Laurier Du Vallon
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• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events? We offer morning walks/runs as a group activity in the mornings before the meeting or group yoga. For virtual events, build-in break time or lead stretching. The stretching "classes" are helpful because attendees can use them on their own to keep limber at their desks.
• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years? I do think there will be more demand for wellness at meetings in the future. More and more people are becoming more cognizant of their health and want to see options at meetings for both breaks/physical activity and healthier foods.

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Gina Allega, CMP
Senior Program Manager
BCD M&E
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We've had a variety of solutions to this for our Emerging Leaders Conference. We offer the options of yoga or fun runs in the mornings (lead by some of our attendees) and our typical breaks are pitched as wellness breaks, which not only offer refreshments but also stretches/physical elements. In previous years we've also had healthy cooking demonstrations from one of our speakers during the lunch break.

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Jessica johnson
Web Site Editor
APCIA
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• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events? OUr events are only one-hour webinars, so that's not something necessary for such a short time period.
• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years? I hope that event planners will take into consideration that some "spiritual retreat" ideas may be very poorly perceived by attendees that view the suggested ideas as occult or worse. There are plenty of great wellness ideas that will appeal to a broad audience and not make some attendees feel extremely uncomfortable. 

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Lori Wildman
Senior Marketing Operations Manager
DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc.United States
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• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events? WESTIN IS THE BRAND FOR WELLNESS!!!  Ours menus include unique wellness eats and breaks for meditation, yoga, bikes  etc. Some Guest rooms feature fitness equipment 
• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years? Continued stronger then ever! 

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Colleen Beck
Director of Sales & Marketing
The Westin Tampa Bay
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This is great information to have

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Lisa Venne
Meting Manager
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS)United States
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2022 12:58
From: Colleen Beck
Subject: Weaving wellness into meeting and events!

• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events? WESTIN IS THE BRAND FOR WELLNESS!!!  Ours menus include unique wellness eats and breaks for meditation, yoga, bikes  etc. Some Guest rooms feature fitness equipment 
• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years? Continued stronger then ever! 

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Colleen Beck
Director of Sales & Marketing
The Westin Tampa Bay
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Since our company heavily sponsors marathons anything that is longer than one day we offer a morning 5K fun run.

In our biggest events we've offer an array of afternoon activities one of the days to get people out and exercising (Yoga, Golf. Kayaking, etc). We also tend to always host our largest conference on the water or near a serene location and give people a chance to get away from the loud-hub bub of the cities and into a more serene location.

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Rachel
NJ
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Health and wellness should be pervasive throughout the event - healthy meal/snack options, water bottle stations, special events  - to  really make an impact and show that it's not a gimmick but a part of corporate culture. One of my favorite elements is when a short session is built into an event program, such as a 15 minute meditation or stretching session, or a brief talk about mental health, wellness, etc. I think the demand for this type of content is only going to increase, especially after the toll the pandemic has taken.

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Bouran Qaddumi
Sr. Manager, Training
Church's Chicken
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Very true!  We need to do more of this at meetings

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Lisa Venne
Meting Manager
Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS)United States
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-08-2022 11:40
From: Bouran Qaddumi
Subject: Weaving wellness into meeting and events!

Health and wellness should be pervasive throughout the event - healthy meal/snack options, water bottle stations, special events  - to  really make an impact and show that it's not a gimmick but a part of corporate culture. One of my favorite elements is when a short session is built into an event program, such as a 15 minute meditation or stretching session, or a brief talk about mental health, wellness, etc. I think the demand for this type of content is only going to increase, especially after the toll the pandemic has taken.

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Bouran Qaddumi
Sr. Manager, Training
Church's Chicken
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• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events? We ensure healthy meals and snacks, as well as, stretch breaks during longer sessions. 
• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years? As the concerns for wellness continue to rise, I foresee continuing to add new opportunities into our events. I am still looking for an opportunity to do a "puppy break" ;-)

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Erika Noyes
Meeting Manager
Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.United States
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How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events? stretch breaks during long  sessions.

How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years? strong

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Jonathan stanaj
Events Manager
United Federation of TeachersUnited States
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• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events? We have offered a "sensory kit" to compliment some of our virtual sessions that included items such as mints, a scented candle, and stress putty; all items designed to provide a positive sensory experience while attending a virtual session. 
• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years? Maybe not fully wellness-centric, but much higher demand for wellness elements woven throughout the entire meeting / event experience. 

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Jennifer Jones
Senior Event Specialist
Corning IncorporatedUnited States
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This is really helpful to think about. We haven't seen a demand in feedback and surveys, but I believe that's because we just haven't offered it before. We have tried to shift to healthier meal options for our in person attendees, as well as scheduling more breaks throughout the agenda. I love the ideas that have been shared, and I can't wait to bring this topic to our planning meeting for our next sales meeting, especially because it will be virtual going forward! Adding wellness into the mix will, I think, improve the focus during the content & training sessions.

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Kaitlin Feist
Marketing Programs & Events Specialist
Dakota Supply Group, USA
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• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events?
  • I like having a get up and stretch moment, I work a desk job and so do my colleagues so it's really nice to get up and stretch
• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years?
  • I think it will be big in the next decade or so. I recently attended a large conference and they had the typical exhibitor floor, but an entire corner of this exhibit was all about wellness and recharging. It was the highlight of the conference! They had massage tables, tables with light that help to rejuvenate you, singing bowls, leg compression things, mini aqua facials and so much more. It really was just so amazing because after a day of running around the gigantic hotel from session to session relaxing and laying on a water massage table was just so relaxing! 

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Teresa James
Director of Sales and Marketing
DoubleTree Gainesville
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• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events?

For our in-person events, we allot time for attendees to focus on the content pieces of the event, then provide an activity for them to participate in that is unrelated to the content, such as fly fishing, golf, or mindfulness meditations. 

• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years?

As more people begin to recognize the need for wellness centric meetings, I think planners will need to start sourcing the sourcing areas for activities that attendees can participate in but can still drawn the group back in for more content. I think network dinners and cocktail hours are going to shift to physical and mental challenges that allow people to use a different side of their brains to relive meeting fatigue.

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Vicki Clancy
Event Coordinator
CDWUnited States
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-How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events: I am a Sales Manager for a CVB and work mostly with third-parties like HelmsBriscoe, Maritz, and Conference Direct. Recently, I have seen groups ask for nontraditional meeting space like outdoor space and creative spaces not just regular ballrooms. They ask for tours that are hands-on with some sort of activity that guests can take part in. They also want hotel locations that are walking distance to restaurants and nightlife so their attendees can be immersed in the culture without getting in an uber or shuttle. 
-How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years?: I think this is a huge market that planners will be looking for more and more. With technology and busy schedules, people don't want to sit in a ballroom from 8-5 everyday. They want networking opportunities and the chance to explore the town they are in. They want to travel without putting a hold to their workout plan and healthy lifestyle.

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Virginia McCoy
Sales Associate
Visit Savannah
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Recently I have seen a lot of morning group fitness sessions sometimes an event walk, but a lot of times a group yoga session. I think it is great! Although, sometimes it is hard to get up early since your already sleep deprived when attending and event.

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Katie Dreifus
Registration Manager
PwC Management Services LPUnited States
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• How do you add wellness elements to in-person and virtual events?
  • We love adding morning workout activities like yoga, local running groups and biking. If we are not able to go outside the venue for activities we also like incorporating wellness breaks into our schedule for attendees to be able to rest and recharge between long sessions. Wellness snacks (vs straight up junk food) is also incorporated into breaks. 
• How do you see the demand for wellness-centric meetings and events getting shaped in the coming years?
  • Since onsite events are so non-stop we like to prioritize wellness breaks and activities to help balance our attendees time. Everyone is also so exhausted from travel and non-stop networking so we like to try and reshape our agendas so our attendees can also to go back refreshed and ready to hit the ground to be able to share everything they learned at our events.

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Megan Ridgway
Sr. Specialist, Internal Events
S&P GlobalUnited States
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