How to reshape the conference agenda with wellness breaks

For decades, the standard format has centred on a speaker at a podium delivering information to rows of seated attendees, but this approach is rapidly losing its appeal, especially with Gen Z audiences.

As attention spans shrink and the competition for engagement intensifies, conferences need to embrace a new approach that puts active participation, wellness, and experiential learning first. In celebration of World Mental Health day on 10th October, here’s how event organisers can make mental health a priority with elevated wellness breaks that reduce fatigue, lower stress, and encourage connection.

The rise of experiential events

There’s genuine value in bringing people together for shared experiences that foster connection, creativity, and collaboration. These experiences can take many forms, from interactive workshops that replace lengthy keynotes to problem-solving sessions where participants can pool their expertise. They might also include wellness breaks, like yoga or swim sessions, woven into schedules to help attendees improve their learning capacity.

Localised, community-based activities are also gaining prominence, with conferences incorporating elements that connect attendees to a host city’s culture and character, creating a sense of place and shared discovery that enriches the overall experience.

The aquatic advantage

Unique amenities elevate an attendee’s involvement in the event by offering unexpected experiences and fostering genuine connections. One example of this is swimming pools, where poolside sessions are a radical departure from the traditional conference room and create a naturally more relaxed atmosphere where attendees can unwind while still networking authentically.

The informal setting strips away some of the formality and hierarchy that can inhibit conversation in traditional business environments, allowing for more honest dialogue and creative thinking. Likewise, the sensory experience of being near water, the light reflecting on the surface, the cooler air around it, all activate different parts of the brain and can stimulate creativity and problem-solving abilities.

The likes of an endless pool or swim spa are compact and space-saving, providing guests with a natural energy boost that no amount of coffee can match. In this space, companies like Compass Pools have become known for their innovative use of materials, such as specialised non-porous composite construction, which ensures an extremely hygienic and easy-to-maintain aquatic experience for guests

Taking the event outdoors

Outdoor spaces and natural environments can be integrated into conference programming to combat fatigue and enhance the overall experience for attendees. Research consistently shows that exposure to nature improves mental clarity, reduces stress, and enhances cognitive function – all critical components for maximising the value of your conference. The positive impact of nature on business events is well-documented, with outdoor events shown to boost employee happiness and productivity.

“Forest bathing” sessions, adapted from the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, are finding their way into conference agendas, offering attendees the opportunity to slow down and reconnect with their senses through mindful walks in surrounding settings.

Walking meetings conducted in nearby parks or gardens provide a refreshing alternative to stuffy conference rooms, and encourage more dynamic conversations, increased productivity, and creative thinking while participants move their bodies and breathe fresh air.

Power of collaborative art

Wellness breaks don’t need to be focused on the physical to have an impact. In fact, from a creative perspective, developing shared projects can help to break down barriers, build communities, and create lasting memories, all while calming the mind and reducing fatigue.

Collaborative creativity encourages natural conversation in ways that structured networking often fails to achieve. Providers like Artful Collective offer workshops, such as group portraiture, where attendees must work together and exchange canvases to complete the final piece. Examples like this include collaborative murals, digital art projects using augmented reality, or workshops that put a creative spin on a theoretical subject. These artistic endeavours often reveal hidden talents within attendee populations, surprising both participants and organisers with the diverse skills and perspectives that emerge when people are given permission to express themselves creatively.

Aside from the immediate experience for guests, these projects create talking points and photo opportunities that can boost the reach of the event through social media afterwards, while still leaving attendees with a sense of having contributed to something larger than themselves.

The future of conferences is fluid

As we look to the future of the events industry, it’s clear that conferences will continue to evolve away from a one-size-fits-all format towards more fluid, personalised, and impactful experiences that move attendee wellbeing and engagement to the top of the list. Conference schedules need to be designed around human needs for movement, social connection, and mental stimulation rather than forcing attendees to conform to traditional timetables.

Source: Conference-news.co.uk