How IMEX America Brought Mindfulness to the Show Floor
September 30, 2019
A conference with several thousand people sounds like an unlikely place to zen out. Yet the organizers of IMEX America and one major hotel company, understanding the immense benefits of meditation, helped conference goers do exactly that at this year’s event, held Sept. 10-12 in Las Vegas.
The IMEX Be Well Lounge
The event organizers behind IMEX America chose Las Vegas-based Lee Papa as the wellness expert to lead the mindfulness exercises inside its Be Well Lounge. Throughout four days (including Smart Monday), she led 25 guided meditations, ranging from 15 to 30 minutes each. It was a short, simple escape from the busy environment outside, and a welcome respite for attendees — many of whom participated in multiple sessions.
“Mindfulness, at its simplest form, means awareness — awareness of your thoughts, your inner dialogue, your actions, the world around you — in a non-judgmental [way],” says Papa. “Having an experience where you are able to quiet the mind and go within to find the peace that dwells just below the surface of the madness … is life changing.”
Papa first connected with IMEX five years ago, when the team brought her in as a speaker. She loved the industry so much that she decided to close her 6,000-square-foot wellness center in Las Vegas to focus on educating and inspiring members of the meetings and events community. She says she’s honored to be a part of helping IMEX grow its mindfulness training for attendees since 2015.
“With an industry that wears stress like a badge of honor, the core focus [is] on mindfulness and meditation training,” says Papa. “Just as [the words] wellness and well-being began to be utilized by forward thinkers, we introduced and made the commitment to provide this life-shifting mindfulness and meditation training to an industry that would impact the world. The mind-shift is underway.”
View a sampling of Papa’s mindfulness sessions here and learn more about booking her to lead meditation at your events here.
Hyatt’s Meditation Bubble
Inside the trade show, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts had a hit on their hands with the company’s Meditation Station. First introduced at IMEX Frankfurt in May, the giant bubble also traveled to GBTA in Chicago before debuting at IMEX America this year.
More than 500 people experienced the seven-minute guided meditation session, according to Hyatt officials. Attendees kicked off their shoes and locked up their belongings in a set of lockers outside the air-filled bubble, then headed inside, a few at a time (to preserve the air pressure). Once inside, they sat on fluffy pillows surrounded by soft lighting and donned headsets to be guided through a relaxation exercise.
“We received positive feedback from our customers, and many expressed their gratitude for having a quiet place to take a break from the trade show floor,” says Asad Ahmed, senior vice president of global sales for Hyatt Sales Force. “The most rewarding moments were those when we saw attendees return to the station each day of the conference.”
Hyatt first created the Meditation Station to provide an opportunity for attendees to recharge, and therefore make a positive impact on the way they functioned during the day. The company is currently exploring ways to help clients bring in more wellness elements, such as the Meditation Station, to their own meetings in the future.
Would you ever incorporate meditation or mindfulness sessions into your trade shows? Share with us on Twitter, @TSNN_com_us.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.
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