29 Mar Keep Your Meetings Moving
There have been many reports about the adverse health effects of sitting. One CBS Report states that no amount of physical activity is enough to combat the dangerous health effects of sitting for hours each day. Studies have even linked long periods of sitting with an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome and other diseases. Read the full advisory from the American Heart Association.
Staying moving during a meeting keeps the mind engaged and the body healthy.
Meeting design has been slowly implementing changes with increased attention placed on adding attendee movement both for health concerns and boosting engagement. Sitting in a chair for a traditional hour-and-a-half or two-hour session followed by a 15 minute break is no longer the norm. Structuring meetings like this sometimes requires changing preconceived ideas about meeting structure but it pays bonuses with participant well-being.
At JDC Events, we are adept at designing and organizing meeting and event spaces that allow for more participatory, interactive and high-energy meetings and events. Following each 25-30 minute segment of programming, we plan for a short activity, break or networking activity that allows participants to stand-up and leave the room or convene in another section of the venue. Having participants stand up and leave the room, even for a mini “function” break of 5 minutes is also beneficial in breaking the “non-movement” sitting pattern.
The built-in breaks also function as a way for participants to meet each other and allow for a more casual ice-breaker to keep the conversation from the meeting room flowing and to allow for more active rather than passive learning.
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) – the world’s largest network of Business Events Strategists – recognizes the importance of integrating movement and wellness into the overall event experience said Carrie Johnson, Director, Education Content, PCMA. “At the 2018 PCMA Convening Leaders in Nashville activities like the Heka Health Walking Challenge and placing exercise equipment in session overflow environments gave participants the chance to incorporate movement on their own time and at their own pace. Additionally, the Living 360 area hosted mini wellness sessions focusing on topics like stretches to do at your desk and incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine.”
What meaningful methods you have incorporated into your meetings and events that allow your colleagues to move and thrive?
Keep moving!
JDC Events is a woman-owned, award winning event design company that creates distinctive and impactful events for corporate, government and nonprofit clients. For more information, please visit www.jdc-events.com and follow JDC Events on Twitter @JDC_llc.
Jennifer D. Collins is the founder, President, and CEO of JDC Events. She is a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Digital Events Strategist (DES) and well known events industry thought leader. She is Vice Chair of the Board for WBEC Metro NY and WBEC Greater DMV, a member of the Women’s Presidents Organization (WPO), and the Author of Events Spark Change: A Guide to Designing Powerful and Engaging Events.