The Keys to a Healthy Meeting

By Ronnie Wendt | Photo © Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

The growth of the health-conscious movement is catapulting health and wellness from dingy hotel gyms into the spotlight where it now takes center stage at meetings and events. The trend is moving health, wellness, stress relief and exercise to the forefront, where planners expect it to stay. According to Kortnee Carroll, the sales manager at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Wisconsin Dells, “Today, planners seek workout classes and spa services, or set aside time for attendees to use our on-site gyms and water park.”

Dawn Justin, marketing director of Justin Trails Resort in Sparta, echoes Carroll’s sentiments.

“Our business has exploded with folks wanting to be outside enjoying a healthy lifestyle of exercise, walking, disc golf and eating well,” she says.

Planners already know health and wellness keeps attendees happy, healthy and productive during meetings and events, but what does “meeting healthy” look like?

Get Out in Nature

According to the National Park Service, 5 minutes of walking outdoors improves mood, self-esteem and relaxation, and physical activity in a green space reduces stress and lowers cortisol levels by 15%. Just 30 minutes outside improves heart health and circulation, and lowers cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure. By simply knowing these effective benefits, planners can seek natural settings and environments, and plan activities around them.

Many venues across the state provide the kind of respite attendees crave. “The entire experience at Sundara is tranquil, quiet and peaceful,” says John Morris, general manager of Sundara Inn & Spa in Wisconsin Dells, for example. The secluded retreat, nestled amongst pines, appeals to many. “We do forest bathing activities, which gets people to immerse themselves in nature,” he says. “They can breathe in the benefits of the outside air, take in the forest’s beauty and meditate.”

“We also have hammocks in the woods, and a tranquility garden next to our infinity pool,” he adds.

Because Justin Trails Resort offered Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) the kind of sanctuary in nature it desired, the organization recently chose the 200-acre eco-resort for its annual event. “They chose our resort not only because the director wanted a dog-friendly option,” Justin says, “but because they also loved our nature trails. Attendees could go for a morning walk or midday hike, and watch the sunset or sunrise. When guests here climb a hill, they can see for miles.”

Benches dot Justin Trails’ landscape and provide a place for guests to relax as they trek the resort’s 14 miles of trails. “There is absolutely no sound other than those found in nature. It’s relaxing,” Justin adds. “Visitors can sit and listen to the birds chirp, while taking in our restored prairies, wildflower gardens and oak savannas.”

Justin reports that some groups incorporate walking meetings, nature runs or disc golf tournaments into their schedules. “Our venue is a blank slate, where planners can create customized programs, or activities that increase health and wellness,” she says.

Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is a AAA Four-Diamond resort known for its lush landscape of rolling hills and pristine views. The resort’s outdoor activities include rock climbing, baseball, volleyball, tennis, pickleball, mountain biking, archery, hiking, golf ing, swimming, skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice skating, just to name a few. But while Grand Geneva offers much to choose from, Brad Lyles, director of sales and marketing, shares that many groups revel in the guided hike around the resort’s pastoral and historical grounds.

Nurture Well-Being

Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report, released in June, reported employee stress has hit all-time highs. Employees report being stressed about their jobs, the political landscape, inflation and more. When a meeting or event incorporates opportunities to nurture their well- being, attendees can shed stress and leave it behind, all while leaving a good impression.

Spa therapies present an enjoyable way to release stress and reset the body. “Massage therapy is the most popular thing to incorporate into the day,” Morris acknowledges. “It’s a proven fact that massage therapy can lower blood pressure, reduce stress and more. But we also offer energy therapies, and introduce CBD oils and other creams into our massages.”

Lyles agrees that massage is popular among planners. He says, “Adding any spa service gives attendees time to take a deep breath, relax and focus on themselves.” Popular spa treatments at Grand Geneva include: the Relax Me Massage to rebalance the body, and release stress and tensions; Aromatherapy Massage with essential oils; and detoxifying, destressing facial treatments, which use magnesium- rich, volcanic rock to boost and detoxify the skin.

Choosing rooms with whirlpool tubs injects a nice treat, too, adds Justin: “Five of our on-site lodging accommodations offer BainUltra whirlpool bathtubs with powerful air jets that deliver a therapeutic acupressure-based massage to trigger beneficial physiological reactions from head to toe, reducing tension, relaxing muscles, combating stress and eliminating toxins.”

Nurture can come in other forms as well. Meditation is another popular option. Sundara offers meditation rooms, some dedicated to silence, and a meditation trail with stops that correspond to the body’s seven chakras or energy centers. “We also offer a salt treatment room and purifying bath ritual,” says Morris. “We find when groups meet here, they are rarely in a conference room from nine to five.”

Nosh Healthy

It’s a known fact that eating clean keeps skin, teeth and eyes healthy; supports immunity; strengthens bones; and lowers the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and cancer. Yet, too often, meetings and events offer rich, calorie-laden, fried foods, and little in the way of health and wellness.

Venues are trying to step away from these foods to offer healthy eats that accommodate gluten-free, keto, vegetarian, vegan and allergen- free diets. Justin says, “Planners today want healthier food options and ask us to meet more dietary restrictions than ever before. When we are asked to accommodate special diets, we take our offerings to a new level and make sure the food is never boring.”

Grand Geneva also offers made-to-order banquet menus that include varied healthy and fresh foods. “We offer options that allow planners to craft their own dinner buffet, and choose from two proteins, two sides, a salad and a dessert,” Lyles says. “You can truly choose something for everyone with this option.”

Sundara’s menu includes plant-based proteins, nonalcoholic cocktails and organic foods. “We work with a local farm called Country Bumpkin for our farm-to-table menu,” Morris says. “We also grow our own vegetables in our rooftop greenhouse using hydroponic techniques. Plus, we work with groups to plan custom menus.”

Health and wellness once fell to the bottom of planners’ to-do lists. Today these topics top their lists. Planners understand that incorporating the three Ns — nature, nurture and noshing — can boost the wellness quotient of every meeting and event.

SIX EASY WAYS TO MAXIMIZE MEETING WELLNESS

1. Eat more greens. Emphasize healthier food by putting plant proteins, vegetables and greens on the menu.
2. Cut it out. Remove sugar, wheat flour and processed foods from people’s plates.
3. Get moving. Build in opportunities to stretch and stand up. Better yet, incorporate yoga, walks, races and other forms of exercise into the day.
4. Prioritize mental health. Give attendees time to relax and recharge with spa services, meditation and “me time.”
5. Stress the snacks. Make time for more than visits to the restroom during breaks by incorporating snacks, beverages and networking.
6. Go natural. Let attendees breathe in some fresh air by getting outside. Walking meetings, forest bathing (which means spending time communing with nature and trees) and meditation outdoors can provide respite during a grueling day.