Wellness has transformed from a fringe amenity into a core pillar of event design, according to Reina Herschdorfer (MPI Oregon Chapter), director of marketing, national meetings and events for Caesars Entertainment. 

“What once meant offering a morning yoga class now encompasses a holistic, research‑backed approach that supports how people learn, connect and perform,” says Herschdorfer, who is also vice chair of the Global Wellness Institute’s (GWI) new Meetings and Events Initiative, chaired by David T. Stevens, co-founder of Olympian Meeting and host of the Return on Wellness podcast. “Three major shifts define this evolution: holistic well-being—addressing mental, emotional, social and environmental wellness, not just physical activity; integrated programming—wellness woven into the agenda rather than added as an optional activity; and data-driven ROI—wellness used strategically to improve engagement, satisfaction and retention.”

This shift is reflected in how Caesars Entertainment has expanded wellness education and visibility through the Caesars Means Business website, which now includes a dedicated wellness section.  

Bridging the gap

Herschdorfer says the meeting and event industry has seen progress in the wellness space through agenda pacing featuring intentional breaks and shorter sessions, quiet and sensory-friendly spaces that support neurodiverse needs and healthy F&B that fuels energy and focus. Improvement is needed, she says, in terms of reducing over-programming, designing for neurodiversity from the start, treating rest as part of the learning process and measuring wellness impact in surveys.

“Caesars Entertainment is helping planners bridge this gap by investing in wellness education and inspiration through our sponsored wellness-focused articles; a monthly wellness newsletter; the wellness content hub on the Caesars Means Business site; and client spotlights, experience highlights and wellness speaker features,” she says. “We’re giving planners practical, turnkey ideas they can implement immediately.”

The philosophy behind these efforts is simple: make wellness easy. 

“Even small additions—like 10 minutes of EFT tapping at the start of a conference or a short breathwork reset after lunch—can dramatically improve attendee focus and energy,” Herschdorfer says.

Deeply invested

The wellness strategy at Caesars Entertainment has expanded significantly and now touches every part of the meetings experience. Recent highlights include wellness-forward meeting environments with natural light, biophilic elements, flexible layouts; sustainable well-being through reducing environmental stressors while improving comfort; innovative wellness menus with plant-forward, allergen-aware and energy-supportive culinary options; and team-member well-being programs because attendee wellness starts with staff wellness.

“In Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment has invested deeply in supporting the well-being of our team members with resources that rival a full wellness center: a fully equipped gym available exclusively for team members; access to personal trainers for one-on-one guidance or group classes; an onsite physical therapy team offering advanced modalities, including micro‑needling and other cutting-edge recovery technologies; a dedicated nutritionist to support healthy eating and energy management; and a licensed mental therapist available to help team members navigate stress, burnout and emotional well-being.”

GWI’s new Meetings and Events Initiative has been a powerful catalyst in elevating wellness from trend to standard, Herschdorfer says, as GWI research consistently highlights the multitrillion-dollar economic impact of the global wellness economy. 

“GWI has taken notice of the work Caesars Entertainment is doing and how the meeting industry is embracing wellness in meaningful ways,” she says. “While we’re still in the early stages of this movement, the momentum is undeniable. With a global focus, more industry participation and continued collaboration, we can make a profound impact on both individuals and organizations. Our hope is that wellness becomes a pillar of every event, not an optional add‑on.”

Wellness‑infused events lead to higher engagement, better information retention and greater overall satisfaction, Herschdorfer says, and when participants feel their best, the connections they make are stronger, more authentic and longer lasting.

“And in a world where AI is taking on an increasingly prominent role, in‑person events have become one of the few remaining spaces where genuine human connection happens,” she says. “Wellness supports that connection. It helps people show up fully, engage deeply and build relationships that matter.”

Flexible and realistic

Wellness for event professionals must be portable, flexible and realistic, according to Herschdorfer, especially when constantly navigating airports, hotels and large groups. Over the years, she has built a set of habits that help her to always stay grounded.

• Micro‑recovery. “Breathwork on planes, stretching between meetings and five‑minute resets that fit into even the busiest days.”
• Boundary‑setting. “Protecting sleep and avoiding unnecessary late‑night commitments so I can show up fully present.”
• Nutrition consistency. “Hydration and simple whole foods that keep my energy stable.”
• Movement rituals. “Walks, yoga and short hotel gym sessions that keep my body moving.”
• Digital decompression. “Creating tech-free windows to reset my mind.”

Herschdorfer also uses sound as a wellness tool through noise‑blocking headsets or listening to calming audio—a favorite podcast, a short meditation session or nature sounds that create a pocket of calm in the middle of the chaos.

“And one of the most impactful additions to my routine has been practicing gentle and yin yoga at least three times a week,” she says. “These slower mindful practices have made a tremendous difference in both my mental and physical health. They help me stay centered, flexible and grounded. More importantly, they’ve made me more aware and intentional, which changes how I approach each day—with a mindset rooted in wellness rather than urgency.”

These habits mirror the same philosophy Caesars Entertainment encourages planners to adopt.

“Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective,” Herschdorfer says. “Small, intentional moments can completely change how you feel throughout the day.”