Be it a meeting, conference, or even an outdoor celebration, wellness has become an almost inescapable topic for events in recent years, with more of a focus on attendees’ wellbeing and wellness alongside the overall event experience itself.
However, much like the variety that comes with the different types of events available to people, there is a lot of choice when it comes to the types of wellness in events too.
Add in many different people’s personalities and wants when it comes to wellness, event planners have a unique opportunity to tailor their programme to their attendees’ needs, providing a personal experience for all in attendance.
With that said, it can also pose some challenges. With wellness meaning different things to different people, an awareness throughout the planning process to cater to these various needs is vital to ensure a successful event – here’s what they mean and how you can tailor them to your next event.
The traditional approach to wellness in events
Wellness in events has typically focused on ensuring that attendees are in a space that is comfortable and not overwhelming. Events can be a very busy and stressful experience for many, so providing ways to give people some ‘breathing space’ and ways to reduce stress is what many have come to expect from a modern event.
How you can incorporate wellness in this sense will largely depend on the type of event you are hosting, as well as the space you are utilising. For meetings and conferences, it can be a good starting point to consider the overall agenda and the timings for presentations – are you giving attendees enough time to decompress and absorb the information provided, or are you more likely to leave them feeling overwhelmed with no time to compose themselves?
It’s also important to ensure there are spaces for people to break away from the hustle and bustle if needed. If there isn’t a dedicated space, an alternative is to directly incorporate a wellness activity into the day’s agenda. Be it a yoga session or even just a moment to grab some healthy food and drink, having a predetermined time to allow attendees to recharge is key.
Wellness and challenging yourself
While giving people the time and space to recharge is essential, modern approaches to wellness have seen people wanting to challenge themselves both physically and mentally.
According to the National Wellness Institute, “Wellness is an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence”. This specific focus on success has led many to seek out event experiences that actively encourage them to try new things as a way to improve wellness.
To plan for and appeal to these types of attendees, events should look to incorporate activities and opportunities that encourage people to step out of their comfort zone and try something new.
Food and drink, in this case, is often a good place to start, as you can look to bring in unusual or different foods for people to try, or even allow attendees to get hands-on, with ideas such as cocktail-making experiences or similar.
The key, like with any good event, is to provide new and exciting experiences for all in attendance, so consider ways in which you can incorporate these while still fitting in with the overall feel of your event.
Mental health in events
Finally, while wellness is not the same as physical and mental health, it’s almost impossible to separate the two.
As discussions around mental health become more normalised, it’s only natural this is now extending into the world of events.
This is particularly true when we focus on catering events to the needs of neurodiverse people whose brains process information differently. Data from The Neu Project suggests that almost 20% of the UK population is neurodiverse, meaning a fifth of people attending may welcome considerations to ensure they have the best experience.
Could you provide alternative seating arrangements? Could you provide any extra materials to help those make the most of the information being presented? Is the event space easily accessible and easy to navigate? These are all important considerations when it comes to making your event more inclusive for neurodiverse people.
Wellness and your next event
Whatever the occasion, make it an unforgettable one with wellness in mind for your next event at Regent’s. For more information, explore our range of events or get in contact with a member of the team today to discuss your needs.
