After COVID, travelling and attending in-person events became a source of stress for many people. Not everyone was able to jump back into convention life as easily as others. And even now, as life has returned to normal, there is a wellness trend that continues to grow. Mental health is at the forefront, and you need to think about what is best for clients, customers, employees and attendees.
Attention must be paid to conference and convention attendees, particularly those travelling from home, attending multi-day events. As a planner, here are a few ways to ease the stress.
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Plan downtime
Sure, we all want to make the most out of a convention or trade show, but we also need a break. Scheduling everything back-to-back-to-back can be exhausting on attendees, and they will feel the pressure to attend every seminar, speech, panel discussion, etc. Schedule a break in the day in which attendees have no choice but to relax for an hour or so.
Provide a quiet space
Have a room in which people can visit to be completely quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of a show floor. In order for the room to work, the idea must be clearly expressed. Have plenty of signage and perhaps a person enforcing the quiet-time rules. Even a few minutes to escape the day’s noise can reset one’s mental health.
Offer a variety of foods
For some people, food plays a major role in their mood for the day, so when it comes to complementary meals and snacks, have a wide variety. Healthy options are best for the body, but sometimes people need a sugar fix to give them a boost of energy. Having vegetarian and vegan options is also a great idea. No one wants to spend the day walking a trade show floor with their stomach growling. It’s unhealthy for the body and the mind. And keep in mind that not everyone drinks coffee. While it’s a staple of most events, having an alternative, like a juice bar, will be appreciated by those who steer clear of java.
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Keep staff happy
Those working a convention or trade show need a break, too. They must be “on” for days at a time, flashing their smiles and using their PR voices. It can take a toll and can result in being rude to attendees or simply not engaging with them. Attendees sometimes find it stressful to approach someone to initiate conversation. Therefore staff needs to be well-rested and well-supported; it will benefit themselves as well as attendees.
For the most part, we are all happy to be back to in-person events. But in order to make the experience a great one, be sure to consider everyone’s wellness.
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