Gone are the days where a coffee bar and breakfast buffet were enough to satisfy meeting and event attendees. Today, participants expect more out of their meetings – from healthy and customizable food and beverage options, to inspiring meeting breaks and even community outreach. They want to be engaged in all aspects of their event and feel like their meetings have a greater purpose, and they’re looking to meetings and events professionals to make it happen.
Recent research from American Express Global Business Travel backs up this trend -- engaging experiences are the ultimate goal for meeting professionals, and planners are continuously searching for ways to actively involve attendees in all aspects of their event.
Arming meeting professionals with creative, fun and interactive ideas, the Hilton Meet with Purpose program helps meeting professionals address the growing desire for health and wellness in the meetings and events space. With a focus on health, wellness and sustainability, these programs are designed to not only improve productivity, but reenergize attendees with activities focused on health and wellness.
Consider these creative break-out sessions and food and beverage offerings to make your next meeting and event more meaningful:
Puppies & Ice Cream: This playful and out-of-the-ordinary meeting break is perfect for releasing stress, while also engaging the local community. During this group activity, meeting attendees can mingle with local dogs, oftentimes available for adoption from a local shelter, while enjoying a sweet afternoon treat. A win–win activity, both humans and pups get play time during this break.
Sole Mates: ‘Pick a Pair, Give a Pair’ is the motto behind this activity, where guests pick a pair of socks for themselves, and gift a pair of socks to a local organization. Event attendees not only leave with a fun and functional keepsake, but are empowered to make a positive impact by writing a personalized note of encouragement to accompany the socks that can be donated to veteran organizations, children’s charities and other nonprofits.
Yoga & Yogurt: This relaxing and reenergizing activity can serve as a great start to a productive, event-filled day. Attendees are treated to a calming, instructor-led yoga class, followed by a delicious, balanced yogurt parfait bar. Not only does this event put guests in the perfect state of mind for their day, it also serves them an interactive breakfast by giving them the chance to build their own parfait.
Cut & Create Salad Bar: This unique twist on the typical salad bar brings a fun and interactive experience to lunchtime. Guests can choose from a wide variety of leafy greens and use their own garden shears to cut them straight onto their plate before adorning their salad with healthy toppings and dressings. Take lunch outside to round-out this fresh, garden party inspired meal.
Blooms & Cheer: Keep the creativity flowing by giving attendees a chance to arrange their own floral bouquets. These arrangements can then be donated to local charities to help spread cheer and brighten spirits throughout the community.
