5 Ways to Leave Your Attendees Feeling Energized and Recharged Post-Event

May 29, 2024

Believe it or not, where organizations choose to host their conventions and conferences makes a profound impact on attendees’ health and wellbeing, as we all know too well that our places matter to our overall productivity

Event organizers invest substantial funds in venue rentals, event coordination and marketing efforts, expecting a return on investment through attendee engagement and satisfaction. However, more often than we like, attendees are greeted with beige, uninspiring spaces that leave them to feel disengaged and dissatisfied. What should have been an opportunity for growth and connection turns into a struggle to stay engaged.

Imagine you’re arriving at a conference after hours of travel. You’re fighting through jet lag but eager to learn and meet interesting people to expand your professional network. Instead of entering a lively space with energizing vibes, you’re greeted with lackluster settings where the overall atmosphere lacks a personable touch. 

Presentations are held in windowless rooms lit by moderate-quality fluorescent light, making the speakers look sickly. The air is stuffy because of insufficient air flow in the space. You’re hungry and dehydrated because the food table was piled with sugary cookies and lacked more nutritious alternatives (worse if you have dietary restrictions as many people do), and there were no water stations available. 

You wind up struggling to stay awake, let alone engaged. What’s worse, if you’re a breastfeeding mom, there isn’t a lactation room in sight. It’s a far cry from the dynamic, collaborative experience you were hoping for.

This cycle of fatigue and disengagement takes its toll, leaving you feeling drained and unfulfilled, undermining the conference’s purpose! It’s time for conference organizers to shake things up and create spaces that electrify the experience for speakers and attendees. How? 

Provide Ample Airflow for Health and Comfort

With concerns about illness transmission heightened in crowded settings, such as conferences, ensuring proper ventilation is paramount. Remember, we’re here to share ideas not coughs. Proper airflow reduces the risk of spreading diseases and fosters a more comfortable and inviting atmosphere for productive engagement. In fact, studies show improved indoor air quality increases cognitive function by 61% to 101%.

Healthy Lighting for Cognitive Performance

Studies show that incorporating natural or dynamic lighting significantly influences mood and cognitive performance. Properly integrated lighting strategies focusing on health can keep attendees alert, engaged and focused throughout the event while enabling them to sleep better at night to recuperate. 

Schedule More Energizing Opportunities for Engagement

Breaks are more than just pauses between sessions; they're opportunities for meaningful connections. Instead of cramming networking into one hour, let’s intersperse breaks like a quick stretch, a themed activity or a mindfulness session to keep attendees actively engaged and invested in the conference. 

Mindful Food and Beverage Offerings

While sugary and salty breakfast options and alcohol-laden happy hours may seem appealing, they lead to energy crashes and fatigue, diminishing the conference experience. Instead, prioritize an offering of nourishing food options and beverage choices that sustain energy levels and support productivity while being mindful of dietary restrictions. 

Relaxing Lactation Spaces for Breastfeeding Mothers

Let’s not overlook the needs of breastfeeding mothers. Providing dedicated lactation spaces ensures privacy and comfort for breastfeeding while promoting a supportive environment for all attendees. Plus, these spaces can double as meditation areas or prayer rooms to accommodate diverse needs and foster inclusion and wellbeing among conference participants. 

It’s crucial to rethink how to leverage conference spaces as a vehicle to pamper attendee wellbeing and maximize engagement. By focusing on things like good air ventilation, proper lighting, energizing breaks, healthy refreshments and inclusive spaces for nursing mothers, conference organizers and operators can create events that leave everyone feeling refreshed and inspired.

 

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Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:  Protecting Natural Resources  MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.  Committed to Community  Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.  MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.   Fostering Diversity & Inclusion  To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.  MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.