by Linda Leier Thomason
The health and well being of employees is closely tied to the success of an organization. Executives down to employees are encouraged and rewarded for adopting healthy lifestyles and creating balanced lives, resulting in greater workplace productivity. A healthy body is perceived to contain a sharp, productive mind.
Today, this wellness concept has found its way into meetings, influencing planners who realize that from the foods offered to the activity options, a company is exerting influence on the wellness choices employees make.
Today, this wellness concept has found its way into meetings, influencing planners who realize that from the foods offered to the activity options, a company is exerting influence on the wellness choices employees make.
Andrea Vieyra, The Grand Hotel Minneapolis Director of Sales and Marketing, says, “I am certain wellness in meetings is not a passing fad. The pace of the world is fast and we all spend a lot of time at work. There must be a focus on balance and most companies are aware of that and see the need to incorporate wellness into some aspect of meeting planning. While there is a perception that this adds to the cost of meetings, our sales team uses creative solutions to keep the overall costs down.”
Incorporate some of these wellness concepts while planning your next meeting.Lodging
The Grand Hotel Minneapolis is owned by San Francisco based Kimpton Hotels, an industry leader in wellness experiences for guests and meeting participants. Guest rooms include complimentary exercise kits that contain a yoga mat, a yoga block, an elastic band for stretching and muscle conditioning, and a jump rope. The Minneapolis property also has the distinction of being the only hotel with a 58,000 sq. ft. athletic facility on-site, free to all guests. Bicycles are also available for outdoor use. Guests can watch Joy Bauer, renowned nutrition and fitness expert, on their in-room channel as she dispenses advice on healthy in-room dining, healthy breakfast choices, high energy snacks and host of other topics.
Menu Planning
Keep participants attentive with maximized energy levels by offering attractive, interesting and nutritious food choices in appropriate serving sizes (smaller plates). Jill Hubbs, The Grand Hotel’s Director of Catering says she is seeing an increase in specific diet requests like gluten-free, vegan products, whole grains, more soy, and olive oil instead of butter. “We also have fulfilled requests for coconut water instead of soft drinks and offer natural sweeteners and locally sourced foods.”
Wellness breakfast offerings may include:
· Oatmeal
· Soy and skim milk
· Infused tea and fresh juices
· Brown sugar
· Dried cherries
· House-made granola
· Grilled turkey bacon
· Low-fat bran and fruit muffins
· Roasted nuts
· Scrambled eggbeaters
· Whole grain bagels (cut in ½) with low-fat spreads
Meeting Room
· Natural light
· Aromatherapy
· Mood music
· Ergonomic chairs
· Programmable lighting
Breaks
· Massage chairs
· Tai Chi
· Stretching
· Dance session
· Power walk
· Fruit smoothies, organic coffee and tea, fresh or dried fruit, yogurt, veggie trays with low fat or fat free dips like salsa, bean dip or hummus, thinly sliced cheese or cheese cubes, low fat popcorn, angel food cake with fruit chunks and yogurt dip
Meeting Content
Imagine the surprise of meeting participants prepared with iPads and spreadsheets ready to discuss projections and new accounts when they learn today’s meeting will focus on qualitative subjects that increase their profit margins and improve their lives. Organizations trending toward wellness are bringing in speakers to discuss life-management issues like:
· Stress management strategies
· Conflict resolution
· Time management
· Relationship building at home and at work
· Personal financial planning and budgeting
Activities
Replace cocktail hour with:
· Hiking
· Canoeing
· Outdoor yoga
· Hotel staff led jogging or walking
· Bicycle riding, including tandem
Replace golfing with these calming exercises:
· Body toning
· Mind quieting
· Meditative breathing
· Meditative walking
Replace cooking and chef presentations with:
· Reading food labels
· Low salt & low fat menu planning
· Cholesterol screenings
· Depression screenings
Replace group transportation to dinner with:
· Walking
· Bicycling
· Paddle boating
Incorporate some of these wellness concepts while planning your next meeting.Lodging
The Grand Hotel Minneapolis is owned by San Francisco based Kimpton Hotels, an industry leader in wellness experiences for guests and meeting participants. Guest rooms include complimentary exercise kits that contain a yoga mat, a yoga block, an elastic band for stretching and muscle conditioning, and a jump rope. The Minneapolis property also has the distinction of being the only hotel with a 58,000 sq. ft. athletic facility on-site, free to all guests. Bicycles are also available for outdoor use. Guests can watch Joy Bauer, renowned nutrition and fitness expert, on their in-room channel as she dispenses advice on healthy in-room dining, healthy breakfast choices, high energy snacks and host of other topics.
Menu Planning
Keep participants attentive with maximized energy levels by offering attractive, interesting and nutritious food choices in appropriate serving sizes (smaller plates). Jill Hubbs, The Grand Hotel’s Director of Catering says she is seeing an increase in specific diet requests like gluten-free, vegan products, whole grains, more soy, and olive oil instead of butter. “We also have fulfilled requests for coconut water instead of soft drinks and offer natural sweeteners and locally sourced foods.”
Wellness breakfast offerings may include:
· Oatmeal
· Soy and skim milk
· Infused tea and fresh juices
· Brown sugar
· Dried cherries
· House-made granola
· Grilled turkey bacon
· Low-fat bran and fruit muffins
· Roasted nuts
· Scrambled eggbeaters
· Whole grain bagels (cut in ½) with low-fat spreads
Meeting Room
· Natural light
· Aromatherapy
· Mood music
· Ergonomic chairs
· Programmable lighting
Breaks
· Massage chairs
· Tai Chi
· Stretching
· Dance session
· Power walk
· Fruit smoothies, organic coffee and tea, fresh or dried fruit, yogurt, veggie trays with low fat or fat free dips like salsa, bean dip or hummus, thinly sliced cheese or cheese cubes, low fat popcorn, angel food cake with fruit chunks and yogurt dip
Meeting Content
Imagine the surprise of meeting participants prepared with iPads and spreadsheets ready to discuss projections and new accounts when they learn today’s meeting will focus on qualitative subjects that increase their profit margins and improve their lives. Organizations trending toward wellness are bringing in speakers to discuss life-management issues like:
· Stress management strategies
· Conflict resolution
· Time management
· Relationship building at home and at work
· Personal financial planning and budgeting
Activities
Replace cocktail hour with:
· Hiking
· Canoeing
· Outdoor yoga
· Hotel staff led jogging or walking
· Bicycle riding, including tandem
Replace golfing with these calming exercises:
· Body toning
· Mind quieting
· Meditative breathing
· Meditative walking
Replace cooking and chef presentations with:
· Reading food labels
· Low salt & low fat menu planning
· Cholesterol screenings
· Depression screenings
Replace group transportation to dinner with:
· Walking
· Bicycling
· Paddle boating
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