MPI
Wellness wins for meeting professionals
MPI CORRESPONDENT PAUL COOK DISCUSSES HOW , BY INTEGRATING WELLNESS THROUGHOUT THE PLANNING PROCESS , EVENT PLANNERS AND ORGANISATIONS CAN REDUCE STRESS AND BURNOUT
T he meetings and events industry is known for its demanding nature . This can lead to stress , burnout and health issues if not managed effectively . Similarly , attendees are frequently on the receiving end of tightly packed agendas , extensive travel and long hours in conference rooms , which can take a toll on mental and physical health .
Wellness initiatives mitigate these challenges by fostering environments that prioritise balance and wellbeing . A focus on wellness can result in better engagement , higher satisfaction and improved outcomes for all stakeholders .
The wellness market is growing . According to McKinsey & Company ’ s report , The Trends Defining the $ 1.8 Trillion Global Wellness Market in 2024 , “ Consumers are taking more control over their health and looking for products and services that empower them to do so . The companies that can help consumers with solutions that are personalised , relevant and rooted in science will be bestpositioned to succeed .”
Baked-in wellness The size of this market demonstrates that there is money in the sector . This is good news for those venues and event service providers that bake
Above : Kristine Iverson
Above : Tanya Philyaw
wellness into their products and services .
For event planners , adding wellness into the DNA of meetings can make a difference to clients as the event becomes an extension of the attendee ’ s wellness programme , at no added cost . Wellness-infused events can help to grow existing business and develop new opportunities .
The major impediment event planners face is time . According to John Toomey , global chair of GWI ’ s
Workplace Wellbeing Initiative , “ When considering busy onsite schedules , there is often a desire to cram so much technical content into a conference agenda that items such as soft skills are squeezed out . Wellbeing sessions restore energy and build greater capacity to absorb the other sessions on the agenda .”
Holly Duckworth , CEO , Leadership Solutions International , wants planners to go further . “ Wellness today goes beyond yoga and fun runs . Planners who have provided broader programming know that when wellness is integrated , attendees often rate the event more positively ,” she says .
Looking after attendees and other stakeholders is one thing , but making sure meeting professionals look after themselves is quite another . Planners spend time and energy caring for others , so it ’ s easy for their own wellbeing to take a back seat .
Kristine Iverson , founder and visionary at CROW Practice , has this advice for planners : “ Start by setting aside five minutes to breathe deeply , stretch , or step outside for fresh air . These mindful pauses help recalibrate your energy and boost mental clarity , which can make a significant difference in how you show up for your work and your team .”
Tanya Philyaw , senior meeting planner , MPI , believes you need to take a holistic approach : “ You have to stop , listen to what your mind / body is telling you and evaluate what you can do to make an immediate change . If you don ’ t , your body will shut you down .”
Integrating wellness throughout the planning process means organisations can reduce stress and burnout , promoting a culture that values the human element . This focus on wellness ensures that connections created during events are meaningful and lasting . In other words : wellness wins . n
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