88 Meetings & Conventions • mcmag.com December 2016
Guide to Excellence
While meetings often force participants
into a predominately rested – and often
uncomfortable – physical position, minds are
shoved into overdrive. Breaks are undeniably
necessary for unplugging briefly so that it’s
easier to mentally reboot and regain focus for
the next items on the agenda.
Fitness plus
More recently, planners are requesting that
hotels creatively incorporate health and
wellness aspects into their overall programs.
The focus has become one of maintaining or
even jumpstarting fitness-oriented lifestyles
to generate productivity on the road that
flows into daily routine.
“Previously, planners might have sprinkled
accents of healthy foods into a mid-day break,”
says Rick Blackburn, VP of Convention Sales
& Destination Services, Greater Palm Springs
Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Now they
want to pull the overall message throughout
the conference, even to the point of including
it within the meeting content.”
Blackburn cites the SITE Classic 2016
at La Quinta Resort & Club as a perfect
example. “The keynote speakers’ topics at
SITE Classic promoted happiness in the
workplace, and health and fashion tips for
professionals,” he says. “It’s important to note
that the meeting participants are the ones
driving this growing trend.”
Aside from accommodating employees
with food allergies, vegan/vegetarian diet
preferences, and gluten-free restrictions,
planners are skewing toward “brain food”
menus that fuel mental clarity. “When we
hosted SITE, our menus not only reflected
health and wellness, but were also able
to cater to every dietary restriction that
was being presented to us,” says Andrew
Cooper, La Quinta’s executive chef. “Meeting
planners and attendees want breaks that
keep them energized for the day’s remaining
sessions and post-conference events.”
Beyond F&B
“In addition to food options, exercise or
rejuvenating breaks are also on the demand,”
says Blackburn. From meditation and
breathing exercises to plucking items from
an on-site organic garden for pre-dinner
mixology class, the options are boundless.
At Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort
& Spa, breaks morph into stretching classes,
chair massages, juicing sessions, and
mini-aromatherapy experiences. During
the latter, master aroma therapists engage
attendees on an individual basis to introduce
essential oils that boost energy levels and
restore alertness. Beyond stimulation, these
encounters can address stress, depression,
and sleep issues.
L’Auberge Del Mar brings yoga and
meditation into the fold with San Diego
fitness guru Kim Kelly at the helm. The
Once upon a time, session breaks found attendees hustling outside for a quick smoke, rushing to restrooms, yawning as they replenished java and catching a sugar rush via gooey pastries.
Making Wellness
a Perfect Fit
How health and wellness rituals can perk
up participants —BY DAWNA L. ROBERTSON