"Wellness doesn't have to be an elaborate ritual," says Ashley Brooke James, co-founder of TRILUNA, a company that helps organizers, HR teams and marketers build meaningful connections to increase well-being and engagement for groups and events.

"Don’t overcomplicate wellness. Look at what you’re already doing in your daily routine and find ways to enhance it," says James, who will be presenting "Beyond the Booth: Designing Wellness-Driven Experiences" at MPI’s World Education Congress (WEC), June 18-20 in St. Louis. "If you’re on your feet all day, set walking goals to turn it into mindful movement. If your mornings are packed, schedule just 10 minutes of do-not-disturb time before diving into work.

James says it’s crucial for meeting planners to focus on mindset wellness through "simple but powerful practices" such as journaling to process thoughts and ideas; setting personal and professional boundaries; having a grounding morning ritual (prayer, meditation or just intentional quiet time); being mindful of consumption (social media, news or overstimulating TV); or engaging in meditative activities (yoga, painting, pottery or gardening).

"The goal is to find something that restores your energy rather than depletes it," she says.

A DEEPLY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

James says a love for bringing people together is in her DNA.

"Growing up, I watched my parents, who were socialites, move effortlessly through events, from the energy of the people to the intentionality of the details," she says. "As I got older, my mother started bringing me along, and that passion for hosting naturally extended into my college years, where my friends and I became known for throwing memorable gatherings, down to the carefully crafted invitations."

Upon dedicating her life to her wellness journey in 2012, James found that wellness often felt rigid, overly structured and a little boring.

"Later, I met my business partner, and we both saw the same gap—no space for wellness felt fun, accessible and realistic to the individual," she says. "So, we set out to change that by making wellness an engaging, interactive and deeply personal experience—especially in event spaces, where stress and burnout are common."

SIMPLE ADDITIONS CAN GO A LONG WAY

A meeting planner wanting to ensure attendee wellness should start by understanding the unique needs of the audience and what physical or mental stressors they’ll experience.

"If it’s a large conference with a lot of walking, hydration stations aren’t just a convenience—they’re a necessity," James says. "But how can we make them more engaging? Maybe it’s a hydration lounge with infused waters or interactive stations where attendees can learn about hydration’s impact on focus and energy."

It’s important to weave wellness into an event in a way that feels natural and supportive, rather than an afterthought, while understanding that wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all, James says.

"Simple additions—like massage stations for weary travelers, quiet recharge spaces or movement breaks—can go a long way in enhancing the attendee experience," she says.

WHAT ENERGY DO YOU WANT TO CREATE?

When deciding which type of wellness activations to include with an event, the key is to align the activation with the audience’s needs and the overall event vibe, according to James.

"Some attendees will crave high-energy experiences—like yoga flow with live music or guided movement breaks—while others might need moments of stillness, like sound baths or meditation corners," she says. "Ask yourself: ‘What energy do we want to create—uplifting, restorative?’ ‘What gaps exist in the event experience—is there too much stimulation and not enough decompression?’ and ‘How can we make it feel effortless and inviting’ (no one wants another task on their schedule; wellness should be integrated seamlessly)?"

As an example, James cites activations TRILUNA has designed such as "Florals and Flows" (pairing yoga with floral bouquet making to inspire movement and a connection to nature) and "Down Dogs to Donuts" (making wellness playful and rewarding).

"It’s all about crafting experiences that resonate," she says.