Venue : Sedgebrook Hall , Northampton
Consider sustainable and ethically sourced options to help delegates feel happy about their choices ; many organisers are choosing plant-forward options to help with the carbon ‘ foodprint ’ of their food .
Food that has been created to be slow-release and keep blood sugars stable will help to balance energy and reduce fatigue and tiredness , and you may wish to offer a low-calorie option too . The Venues Collection has introduced meals with fewer than 500 calories to our delegate menus .
From April 2022 , new legislation states that most restaurant menus will have to show calorie counts for each of their meals . There are certain caveats ; it ’ s not a legal requirement if a menu is available for fewer than 30 days or if a restaurant has a small number of staff , for example . Having calorie counts enables delegates to make informed decisions , but we often find that delegates welcome a few treats while away from home , so the opportunity for delegates to ‘ treat ’ themselves at an event should not be removed completely .
Treats don ’ t all have to be totally calorific though ; make sure that home-baked treats are in mindfully sized portions and include a variety of wholegrains , good fats , seeds , and fruit .
We are working with an organisation called Klimato to develop climate-impact labelling and calculate the calorie counts of the food we serve across all our venues . This aims to give our delegates the information they need to make informed decisions to choose low climate impact meals and to cut their C02e emissions .
Keep delegates hydrated by having water on tap and encourage them to drink more by including frequent water breaks . If you are holding a drinks reception , be sure to cater for delegates who do not wish to drink alcohol . Many people now abstain , for health or social reasons , so providing interesting and fun non-alcoholic options is important to ensure no one feels left out .
Communication
Keeping your delegates in the loop and aware of all the considerations you are making available is vitally important . It will ensure they feel mentally and physically prepared for the event and ease any anxiety . Encouraging dialogue before the event will help to reassure them and to allay fears and will mean that you can take individual concerns into account if you are able to .
Ways we can help
Lime Venue Portfolio has launched two new packages , as part of its Meetings for Change initiative , that put mindfulness and wellness at the forefront of the meeting . ‘ Mindful Meetings ’ and ‘ Ways to be Well ’ are available in selected venues within the portfolio and include incentive extensions , guides and advice on adapting meetings for modern living .
Creating meetings that are considerate and empathetic with your delegates ’ physical health and mental wellbeing needs is easy ’; it just takes some forethought , planning and to partner with a venue that also has these needs in mind . CN www . conference-news . co . uk