Healthy venues are the new USP

We are currently at an interesting junction for the events industry, as a lot was learnt during our year of lockdown. One of the things that really jumped out (and I'm not talking digital) is the importance of health. Now, venues, we shouldn't brush that aside and solely focus on a new hybrid strategy. Definitely not, because health is your new USP!

Do you remember 'Healthy Venues'? it's a concept that was born out of the frustration of sitting in meetings or multiple day conferences. When you can get up, you have twenty minutes to fuel, and your options are sugary drinks or processed foods. That's not the way it should be and from that, a plan, an infrastructure, an initiative was born.

Healthy Venues is a transparent accreditation broken into three components

• workplace health

• healthy catering

• promoting activity

You might notice how this idea fits into the landscape we currently find ourselves in, with even more emphasis and importance than it possibly did back in 2016. To avoid serious effects from outside contagions, living a healthy lifestyle is an important factor. As we spend a large portion of our lives in the workplace, and at meetings, this accreditation is your new USP to let your stakeholders know that their wellbeing is more than a tick box to you.

With Healthy Venues you are letting people know that they will have the option to choose healthier foods to fuel them throughout the day. You are telling guests that:

• You support National Dietary Guidelines

• All menus contain more than 25% 'healthier' options

• Low-sugar or no-sugar drinks will always be served

• Free drinking water will be provided at 'Hydration Stations' located around the venue

• All vending machines contain more than 25% ‘healthier’ products

Visitor and delegate cardio movement is an important consideration, as you:

• encourage physical activity through onsite challenges, information about ways to increase physical activity while on site, and by working with your event planners to introduce physical activity directly into their programs (for example, the employment of standing ovations during sessions).

• utilise opportunities for physical activity around your venue and active travel (for example, bike schemes, walking paths, etc.)

• consider joining other accredited Healthy Venues in offering exercise classes to complement client programs.

In this current climate, budgetary constraints are always a consideration. That's why the accreditation is awarded at three criteria levels:

• Bronze

• Silver

• Gold

Offering everyone an opportunity to be part of a growing movement that not only places health at the forefront, but also serves as an umbrella for all of the other accreditations that could impact and add value to your organisation. Such as sustainability, green energy, wellbeing.

Healthy Venues isn't a quaint, niche scheme; it's a key part of a strategy, a call to action, a reassurance that health will no longer be relegated to an afterthought.

Join other venues promoting healthy choices for delegates and other people in the meetings and events industry. And remember, no matter how small or large your venue is, anyone can become a 'Healthy Venue'. Find out more at www.healthyvenues.org/becomeahv