Hello and welcome to The Well, Planwell’s weekly newsletter, read by event marketing professionals around the world. Planwell is an event marketing agency trusted by dozens of small-team marketers from the best B2B brands. Learn more at Planwellco.com.
How to plan wellness activities at your next event ??♀???
Wellness activities were a huge hit at conferences in 2024, and the trend is only growing in 2025. Attendees are shifting their focus from cramming in endless sessions to embracing unique experiences that foster relaxation, connection, and balance.
?If you’re planning to add wellness activities to your conference, here are five tips to ensure they’re both impactful and seamless:
- Time it right: Schedule wellness activities during times when attendees naturally have flexibility, like early mornings, lunch breaks, or after the day’s main programming. Avoid overlapping with keynotes or must-attend sessions—this ensures people don’t feel torn between options.
- Tap into local talent Partner with local experts to bring unique experiences to your attendees. This could include massage therapists, yoga instructors, nail technicians, or fitness coaches. Many hotels offer wellness services, or you can transform a common area into a relaxing wellness zone with the help of local vendors.
- Keep it unstructured Wellness activities should be a time to unwind, not another part of a packed agenda. Avoid building in heavy programming—let attendees come and go as they please. This unstructured time creates a relaxed environment for personal connection and self-care.
- Incorporate subtle branding Wellness doesn’t have to mean “no branding.” Provide items like branded yoga mats, water bottles, or eye masks that attendees can use during the event and take home afterward. Keep branding tasteful and minimal—it should enhance the experience, not dominate it.
- Create a calming atmosphere Design the wellness area to feel like a true escape from the hustle and bustle of the conference. Incorporate soft lighting, calming music, and comfortable seating to encourage relaxation. Adding aromatherapy or natural elements, like plants or water features, can elevate the space even further.
A well-planned wellness zone can be the refreshing touch that makes your event stand out. ????♂?
Venue Recs: Chicago
Planning a field marketing event in Chicago? Check out these venues:
- Barrio: Barrio offers a vibrant atmosphere with its stylish decor and modern Mexican cuisine, making it an excellent choice for private dinner in Chicagos lively River North neighborhood.
- Aba: Aba, located in Chicagos Fulton Market District, provides a chic rooftop setting with Mediterranean-inspired dishes and a spacious, inviting ambiance, perfect for hosting sophisticated and private dinners.
- Girl amp; The Goat: Girl amp; The Goat, renowned for its innovative American cuisine and rustic yet trendy vibe, creates an ideal backdrop for intimate and impactful private dinner in the heart of Chicagos West Loop.
- Cooking Class at Eataly: Hosting a cooking class at Eataly offers an interactive and immersive experience, where attendees can bond over crafting authentic Italian dishes in a lively, market-style setting in downtown Chicago.
- The Violet Hour Cocktail Class: The Violet Hour cocktail class provides a sophisticated and engaging experience, where participants can learn the art of mixology in a stylish, speakeasy-inspired environment in Chicagos Wicker Park neighborhood.
Elevate engagement with a genius bar.
Transform your event into a hub for hands-on interaction with a Genius Bar Station. Inspired by the tech world’s most iconic customer service experience, this activation allows attendees to connect directly with your team for product demos, support questions, or one-on-one chats with their account managers—all in real time.
- Hands-on learning: Attendees can explore your product in a low-pressure, personalized setting. Whether it’s learning a new feature or troubleshooting an issue, they leave feeling empowered.
- Stronger connections: Putting your account managers and experts face-to-face with customers builds trust and deepens relationships. It’s also a great way to upsell or cross-sell without being pushy.
- Real-time feedback: Use the opportunity to gather valuable insights directly from customers and prospects about their needs, challenges, and impressions of your product.
Pro tip: Set up your Genius Bar with sleek branding, interactive screens, and a clear schedule of topics or time slots to keep things organized. Include a mix of scheduled appointments and walk-ins to accommodate both planned discussions and spontaneous interest.
Event Marketing Resources:
Leave the planning to Planwell
We know how time-consuming it is to thoughtfully plan and execute corporate events, especially with limited bandwidth, a rigorous calendar, and no new headcount on the horizon.
That’s why Planwell exists. Our team specializes in planning three types of B2B events: Trade Shows, Field Marketing Events, and Conferences & Summits. Learn more here.
