A recent survey conducted by the Incentive Research Foundation and released at Prevue’s Meet Well Summit last week found that as much as meeting planners want to include wellness at meetings, the majority (64 percent) said their meetings are only “somewhat healthy.”
The IRF 2019 Wellness in Meetings and Incentive Travel study of 329 meeting planners, which is sponsored by Prevue, reveals the disconnect between companies’ stated goals of wellness at meetings as a critical focus and their actual implementation of healthy practices. Though budget is often cited as a roadblock, the irony is that most health and wellness practices have a low impact on budgets.
“In speaking with attendees at Meet Well, it was clear that they face all kinds of roadblocks from meeting owners, both real and imagined,” says Barbara Scofidio, co-creator of the Meet Well Summit with IRF President Melissa Van Dyke. “The first step for many is to include subtle shifts, such as infused waters, stretch breaks and vegan stations, before going full on with things like yoga on the beach. But in three years of holding a meeting where we’ve incorporated everything from Cleveland Clinic-approved F&B to aromatherapy to Savasana yoga, I can honestly say that attendees leave revitalized and inspired—as well as educated—and isn’t that what you want?”
Here are 4 findings from the report:
- Only 24 percent of meeting planners rated their meetings “mostly” healthy—and 5 percent reported “very healthy”
- Of 26 wellness practices presented in the survey, the only standard practices are smoke-free facilities and water/reduced-calorie drinks.
- Emerging healthy practices include: serving fish, chicken, or lean meats; healthy snacks (nuts, fruit); gluten-free options; free access to a fitness facility; and encouraging movement throughout the program
- Healthy F&B (33 percent) and group exercise (25 percent) were ranked by meeting planners as the most impactful wellness practices.
To view or download a copy, visit: http://theirf.org/research/the-irf-2019-wellness-in-meetings-and-incentive-travel-study/2624/
