In advance of the wellness theme in the next issue of MPI’s magazine, The Meeting Professional, we asked a variety of event pros the following question.
How has a focus on wellness at events evolved in recent years?
A few years ago, wellness at events often meant a morning yoga session or healthier menu options. Today, planners are thinking much more holistically about attendee well-being—physical, mental, emotional and even social wellness.
The events industry has become increasingly aware that attendee experience is directly tied to engagement and outcomes. As a result, we’re seeing more intentional scheduling, dedicated quiet spaces, opportunities for movement, healthier food and beverage offerings and programming that encourages meaningful connection rather than constant stimulation. The conversation has expanded beyond self-care to creating environments where people can perform, learn and connect at their best.
Tanya Mishigian
Vice President, Sales, U.S. Poker & Casino Parties
MPI Chicago Area Chapter
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We are seeing healthier food choices, hydration stations replacing sugar-heavy defaults, movement opportunities, quiet spaces and programming that acknowledges workload, resilience and sustainable performance. That shift reflects broader workplace realities; burnout is increasing across industries, and event professionals are not immune.
In our industry specifically, there is growing recognition that people do not absorb more simply because we schedule more. Great events now create environments where people can learn, connect and leave feeling energized rather than depleted. Wellness is becoming less about amenities and more about designing experiences that support both performance and well-being.
Heather Dow CPhT, CAE, CPC(HC)
Senior Manager, Events & Management Plus Inc.
Director, MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees
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Wellness has expanded far beyond the morning yoga or juice bar during breaks. It has become about looking at the overall wellness of the individual in a holistic fashion. It means thinking during planning about how people process information, recharge and experience your events. It’s more important than ever that as planners we are offering options and designing events or more people can feel included, and they are able to show up for fully.
Jennifer Lucio Vargas, CMP
Founder, President & CEO, 305 COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS LLC MPI South Florida Chapter
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We’re seeing a real shift toward supporting attendees’ physical, mental and cognitive well-being. Food and beverage programs now lean toward brain‑fueling menus rather than heavy meals that slow people down. Many events are also integrating movement—everything from morning 5Ks to yoga (and yes, even puppy yoga)—to help attendees reset and stay energized.
On the mental fitness side, wellness or resilience rooms have become increasingly common, giving people a quiet space to unplug, decompress or refocus. And the content itself has evolved: Sessions now address topics like leading through uncertainty, building resilience and balancing self‑care with career growth.
Overall, wellness has become a holistic, intentional part of the attendee experience rather than an add‑on. We’re on the right track AND there’s more work to do!
Rachel Benedick
Chief Revenue Officer, Meeting Professionals International
Advisor, Global Wellness Institute’s Meetings and Events Initiative
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For a long time, wellness meant there was a morning yoga class, a sugar-laden smoothie station devoid of all protein, maybe a quiet room somewhere near the back of the venue. There is nothing wrong with any of that, but that is not the full picture.
The real evolution is that we are starting to understand that meetings and events already affect human wellbeing whether we design for it or not. We influence sleep, energy, focus, stress, nourishment, movement, belonging and recovery. That is not soft. That is operational.
I think the larger shift is that people are less willing to leave a conference completely depleted and pretend that is the cost of doing business. Participants are expecting more. Organizations are spending too much money on meetings for people to show up exhausted, overloaded, underfed, overstimulated and then somehow be expected to learn, connect, buy, sell, lead or innovate at their best.
To me, wellness is not becoming more important because it is trendy. It is becoming more important because the old model of human depletion dressed up as productivity is finally being challenged.
David T. Stevens
Wellness Architect and Host, Return on Wellness podcast
Chair, Global Wellness Institute’s Meetings and Events Initiative
