How We Keep You Healthy on Events

So much time, effort and thought goes into planning an event and then it all comes down to those few days onsite!

Running the event onsite is when all of that hard work needs to come together and we need to be at our best to deliver the best. We need to be able to execute the plans with focus and precision, have our wits about us to adapt and handle the unexpected, whilst having the energy to be fully present for the client, the delegates, the wider event team and suppliers... This really doesn’t leave much time to hydrate, eat and sleep!?

Once again, we’ve decided to ask the team for their honest thoughts on how they see wellbeing during events. Sharing here are some actions identified by the team.

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Helping Delegates Feel Good, Engaged and Energised

1. ?Healthy food options to help sustain delegate’s energy and sense of wellbeing but also high energy snacks (sugary ones too... as everyone is different!) and non-meat dishes aplenty to encourage vitamin and fibre intake.
2. We provide plenty of networking breaks.
3. We ensure a decent amount of time throughout the day for attendees to have time to recharge a little (not just breaks, but long-enough breaks).
4. We feature water stations (plastic-free whenever possible) to make hydration easy throughout the event venue.
5. We use different spaces or rooms throughout the day to encourage movement and to provide a change of scene.

Clients may think they need to cram as much content in as possible, but we would always encourage taking the time on topics and looking at multiple breaks throughout the day. An attendee is not going to remember the details if they are overwhelmed by information, thinks Liz Pim, Account Director.

1. We prefer venues with outdoor space where attendees can get fresh air.
2. We encourage our clients to include space gaps in an agenda.
3. Space between the sessions of the day and evening programme is also important, as this allows attendees to switch off. This time for reflection then enables and encourages the discussions to continue into the more relaxed evening environment.?
4. Onsite, we stay as calm as possible and try to make things seamless, this in turn relaxes our client and delegates see they are in good hands.
5. Even if something hasn’t gone to plan, by always having a ‘can-do’ approach and giving solutions, we help protect the clients’ wellbeing.
6. We encourage delegates to use the gym, go for a run or get some fresh air when possible, generally, do what relaxes them and makes them feel good...

Bex Christian, Account Executive, suggests: "We always plan an event around clients’ needs so that there are plenty of opportunities throughout the event for comfort breaks, hot and cold refreshments, and food available throughout the day and into the evening...thinking about the timings and agenda to avoid loss of concentration and engagement."

Minding Our Own Wellbeing

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Here is what our #Activaters had to say on their own wellbeing (there’s certainly a common thread with sleep and big breakfasts!):

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1.????A Big Breakfast...

“For me, wellbeing means having a good work-life balance and getting a good night’s sleep! I like to work hard, play hard, or relax hard, depending on the moment! During an event, I make sure that I have a big breakfast to help sustain me throughout the day, as an event day is so busy!” ( Amanda Strevens )

When onsite breakfast is the most important meal as you don’t know when you’ll have a chance to eat during the event and you need the energy to keep you going. I will eat whatever is on offer, at the time I can eat it! ( Liz Pim )

2.????Staying Hydrated...

I drink lots of water and take snacks so I can make sure I’ve always got access to something when my energy dips. ( Vicky Ungless )

I always try to consume lots of fluids as I find this helps to keep my head clear and also helps with concentration and brain function. ( Bex Christian )

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3.????Sleep Tricks...

When I am working an event, I often find it tricky to fall asleep at night as I always have so many things milling around in my mind of tasks I need to follow up on or complete the next day. A good solution I have found is using sleep/relaxation/meditation podcasts to help me put things to the back of my mind, focus on something else and get to sleep, as good sleep is so important to get when you are onsite or in the lead up to an event. ( Emily Salvage )

Getting a good night sleep (even if just a few hours) is always imperative! I try to read before bed to help my mind wind down after a long day. ( Megan Whitty )

As an event professional,?sleep is my number 1 wellbeing focus.That said, with all the best intentions, you don’t usually get as much sleep or rest as normal, so coffee and good food for fuel, together with lots of water helps compensate. ( Bex Christian )

I have a cut-off time for checking my work emails before I go to bed, otherwise I could be up all night. I also take earplugs and an eye mask and comfy in-room clothes with me onsite to make sure I’m as comfortable as possible to hopefully get some sleep! ( Vicky Ungless )

4.????A Good Debrief...

Bonding together as a team and preparing yourself for the day ahead, to support your wellbeing and stress levels, is greatly helped by an ‘end of day’ team de-brief; this allows us to talk about any areas of concern and reconfirm priorities and responsibilities for the next day. ( Skye Marshall )

“Wellbeing is something that shouldn’t be underestimated, especially in the lead up to any event, as it is always stressful and intense in countless ways,” shares Project Manager, Emily Everall.

How are you staying fresh during events? We’d love to hear what works best for you and add to our own collection of useful stress, time and energy management techniques.

We have to be honest though, events give us such a positive high! It’s why we love what we do!

Say hello@activateevents or find more about us at www.activateevents.com

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