Integrating Wellness into Conferences | Wisconsin Conference

By Shelby Deering

The idea of ​​“wellness” — people taking care of their brains and bodies through mental health management and self-care — has entered the workplace, and with it, has become a big part of meeting agendas.

Whether your meeting is big or small, there are many ways to promote wellness and incorporate these elements throughout your event. Think: yoga, meditation, outdoor activities, healthy eating, and more.

In fact, meeting participants can experience a variety of benefits from wellness-related activities, such as improved morale, calmer mindsets, renewed focus, increased energy, reduced stress, and improved mood.

To learn how to incorporate wellness into your next meeting, read on for tips and tricks gleaned from top wellness destinations across Wisconsin.

Why wellness is good for employees and employers

Tracie Toth, director of sales at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, believes employers have changed their priorities over the past few years, in part because

The need for employees to find balance and put health first in their lives is reflected in meetings, not just the workplace.

“Employers want and need to focus on retaining and rewarding their key employees while also attracting top talent,” Toth said. “In my opinion, wellness services help achieve all of those goals.”

Starr Hayden, director of health and leisure sales at Kohler Co., sees the wellness trend as a response to burnout and work-life balance challenges.

“Now more than ever, it’s important to take care of your employees so you can retain great employees, rather than dealing with the costs of employee turnover,” Hayden said. “When companies are taking employees away from home and their families, they have to structure their days so that employees come back stronger and more motivated to do their jobs.”

Meredith Baciak, wellness coordinator at Nina Miron Construction, has a front-row seat to scheduling wellness-focused events for the company’s employees. Too often, she says, meetings and events often involve long periods of sitting, and participants can feel tired, fuzzy, exhausted, and even sore.

“Making time for wellness helps change this sedentary mindset that has developed over the years,” she said. That mindset is now being replaced by popular wellness activities.

Alyssa Mullin, general manager of Sundara Inn & Spa in Wisconsin Dells, sees wellness as an overarching societal trend that extends beyond conferences and the workplace. “I don’t see wellness services as a trend that is integrated with events, but rather a greater awareness and need to promote the overall health of event attendees and provide event attendees with new experiences and tools to enrich their lives holistically,” she said.

How to Develop a Health-Centered Agenda

Movement and mindfulness are key elements of a healthy meeting agenda, Baciak said. At Miron Construction, every morning, employees across the company start the day with a stretching routine. Walking meetings are also common.

To bring that kind of movement into your meetings, she said, it could be “as simple as doing some stretches at the beginning of a meeting or having a meeting on a sidewalk or trail.” As for mindfulness, she said that at her company, participants often share a “positive moment” at the beginning of a meeting before moving into the agenda.

Osthoff Resort offers plenty of wellness-focused activities that can be incorporated into meetings. As Aspira Spa coordinator Heidi Brucker says, a group can visit the spa for a guided meditation or yoga session, or they can combine these activities with guided imagery, breathing or yoga during their break. Chair massages are also available.

When planning a health-focused meeting, Toth said agenda items should include “nutrition, activity and rest.”

“Incorporate foods that are good for your brain and body,” she says. “Work with your venue to assist you in achieving your goals. Don’t fill your schedule with content and no breaks. Many studies show that for adults, about 50 to 90 minutes of study time is the maximum amount of time they can spend without feeling fatigued.”

Wellness is a driving force in everything Sundara Inn & Spa does, including meetings. Mullin said they have a team of wellness coaches who can curate specific activities to meet the needs of a group, including meditation, yoga, chanting, sound baths, guided imagery and deep breathing. Groups can also head out to the woodland trails for walking sessions.

“The key element of a wellness-focused conference agenda is balance,” Mullin noted. “While some people may find happiness in group activities such as yoga classes, others may find wellness in private quiet time with a spa service or quietly watching wildlife while sipping tea. Balancing and offering different activities and scheduled free time or free choice gives all attendees the opportunity to choose their own path.”

At Destination Kohler, participants can participate in team-building activities that promote social wellness, such as cooking classes and pickleball. Participants can also take part in chair yoga, guided hikes, and a variety of fitness classes from Lakeside Yoga, BOLD Cycle, and Sports Core. There are also meditation and foundation classes, sound baths, Kundalini yoga, and customized essential oil sessions. And of course, there’s the five-star Kohler Spa.

Hayden believes there should be a balance between productivity and team cohesion, which can promote healthy social connections.

Try these exercises to keep your mind healthy

A healthy meeting space with team members can help you achieve your agenda, but consider these simple exercises experts share that can increase mental acuity in any meeting.

• The session begins with stretching and includes stretching breaks.
• Stand up and move around at least every 30 minutes. Take a walk, or dance to relax.
• Perform box breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds. Repeat several times.
• Practice meditation or incorporate yoga moves.

Boost your plans with brain-fueling foods

With all this activity going on, you need to provide meeting participants with energy for a group diet that boosts brain power and overall health.

For example, Brooke shared that during meetings, a yogurt or smoothie station is a great place to refuel. Also, at Sundara, Mullin said their executive chef and culinary manager work hand-in-hand with group coordinators to customize meeting dishes, highlighting products like Sundara Antioxidant Salad or Sundara Signature Granola.

But in general, Hayden said a brain-stimulating group meal would be any menu that includes whole foods.

“Whole Foods is not food from a box,” she said. “We have a great bistro — Awakening — that makes cold-pressed juices, smoothies and smoothie bowls. The best part about our team is that they present to our team about gut health, superfoods and cleaner, more sustainable living.”

Healthy Practice for Planners

As a planner, juggling the constant flow of events during meeting and event planning can sometimes be stressful. So we asked wellness experts to share their best tips for planners so you can de-stress before those big events.

“Event planners often schedule events because they are running around getting things ready for the event. However, many times planners don’t take the time to turn down the noise for a few minutes. Finding a quiet spot during event preparation or meetings and taking a moment to slow down and breathe can make a world of difference.”

– Meredith Baciak, Wellness Coordinator, Miron Construction

“Arrive earlier than the rest of the group. Arrive a night early and maybe stay an extra night. Get settled in and get ready. Schedule a spa appointment before and/or after the event.”

– Tracie Toth, CMP, Director of Sales, Osthoff Resort

“When you need to, pause and disconnect in a way that works for you. Whether it’s stepping away from your workspace for 10 to 15 minutes to get some fresh air, taking an afternoon to reconnect with family and friends, or spending time alone with a good book, take steps to avoid stressful moments.”

– Alyssa Mullin, General Manager, Sundara Inn & Spa

“Getting a good night’s sleep is essential. Sleep has been shown to be one of the most beneficial and restorative activities our bodies can use to recover and perform at their best.”

– Starr Hayden, Director of Health and Recreation Sales, Kohler Co.