Wellness is evolving.
Since live events started opening up again, we’ve all been focused on masks, hand sanitiser and social distancing as part of event wellness goals. Before that, we were talking about yoga classes, relaxing spa treatments and show stopping food and beverage options to keep attendees engaged and provide the wow factor.
Now discussions are moving on, to include health and safety, mental wellbeing, physical comfort, healthy and ethically sourced food and, of course, a revived and renewed focus on sustainability. These are all going to impact the attendee experience at events in the future.
COVID CONCERNS
Many of us haven’t travelled to far-flung locations or been in very large groups for over 18 months now. Even those who have taken the plunge, might be worried about new virus variants and how these could change the events landscape.
Lots of delegates will be anxious about being in a new environment that’s unfamiliar or that they don’t have any control over. This is why foundational safety elements will always need to be considered first by planners. After this, other aspects of wellbeing can be fulfilled.
Existing and evolving logistical concerns for avoiding Covid outbreaks include:
- Hotel and venue cleaning standards: Making sure these are maintained to the same high level, even in a ‘post-pandemic’ era
- The consistency of regulations: Enforcing and checking procedures such as masks, vaccines, ventilation, contact tracing, health questionnaires, and temperature stations have been followed as these can vary widely
- Social Distancing: Delegates might still need to be encouraged or reminded to follow distancing requests, with many not practicing this anymore outside of official settings.
There is an increasing amount of tech that is constantly evolving, to help with health and safety. Interactive floor plans which update in real time, contactless check-in and custom-built or customisable apps for everything from agendas to food service, all prevent unneeded close contact.
These are even more important when attendee’s concerns about returning home and making loved ones sick or passing on the virus to vulnerable members of the community is factored in. Hopefully you’ll be able to contact everyone afterwards with the good news that there were zero cases, if all physical wellness protocols are followed properly.
MENTAL HEALTH
After these practical health concerns have been taken care of, you can start thinking about how your event aligns with mental health provisions.
Making delegates feel cared for has always been a top priority: after all, events are about providing hospitality and reassurance of your company’s integrity, as well as education and networking.
The pandemic has increased awareness of emotional wellbeing. Coming back into meetings and events is an exciting development, but can be an anxious one too after so long away. A greater degree of flexibility over the agenda, breaks and spacing can offer a more personalised experience for attendees and a greater sense of control.
Creating more time for breaks, with opportunities for guests to be alone either outside in nature or in their room, or to be in smaller groups if they prefer, can help with a sense of mental wellbeing.
It also avoids overloading attendees with too much information in one go, or who might not be used to so much social interaction anymore. Having a hybrid option forms part of this mental health care, opening up the option of remote attendance for anyone who doesn’t want to be there in person.
Mood boosting activities and content sessions focused on dealing with stress, anxiety and other mental health concerns, can easily be incorporated into event agendas and incentive programmes. Talks, workshops and classes led by experts will increase a sense of trust, comfort and being looked after.
Classic wellness rewards might need a rethink, such as spa time, when this often means close contact in a confined, and not very well ventilated, space. There are plenty of venues who will be happy to accommodate and adjust, with individual rewards and small group rewards growing in popularity.
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
Eating and health habits changed during lockdown and across the course of the pandemic, due to long periods of working from home and a resulting shift in people’s daily routines and priorities.
Without long commutes and having to be in an office, many people now had the time to exercise more and prepare their own healthy, substantial meals. They no longer relied on fast food options near their offices to grab lunch or snacks, and many moved away from processed foods as an easy and quick evening meal after a long day.
Serving plated food during a proper sit down meal will become more popular than grabbing something from a buffet, as attendees continue to see eating as an occasion rather than just a necessity.
Personal and lifestyle choices and differences are being prioritised. Delegates will still expect a high quality catering experience, but the focus should be on healthy options and catering for individual dietary requirements, which is also now more expected than before.
Inclusivity has taken centre stage too. Providing less activities and networking where the focus is alcohol, caters for those who can’t or don’t want to drink.
GOING GREEN
Authentic and accountable sustainability initiatives contribute to wellness too. Climate change has been thrown into even sharper focus and could be weighing on people’s minds as increased hygiene standards result in more plastic waste.
Holding meetings locally, signposting recycling points, cutting out non-essential paper and plastic and encouraging delegates to reuse towels and bedsheets will help them feel they are making a difference.
This can also be done with food. Providing locally sourced produce gives attendees a taste of the region and lets them feel good about supporting the local community and economy.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Each delegate has a different set of needs and wants. This is why it’s so important to consider physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and work towards holistic solutions.
Traditional wellness initiatives will always be popular mainstays, but interest in self-care and personal safety can’t be overlooked.
It’s time for planners to look to the horizon and embrace the wellness event of the future.
