Walking meetings all the way to ancient Greece, Apple CEO Steve Jobs is known for placing it on the company’s Palo Alto campus. Now they have a while in the meeting.
Canada Destination Canada held a “walking” conversation during the time of the PCMA convening leaders at Houston’s Explore Green Park in January.
The conference aimed at refreshing and inspiring attendees strengthened the Canadian brand mission: “Leave inspiration, don’t be tired.” The special guest was Lori McCarthy, a cultural storyteller and founder of the Food Culture Venue, who led participants in rooted practices and discussions about sustainable activity plans.
60 meeting planners walkers are able to access meetings on their phones using the conference app.
Virginie de Visscher, executive director of business events in Canada, said it was a success and they were discussing people who would hold similar walks in the future. “It shows simple design shifts, such as having a breakthrough meeting outdoors, can increase engagement, spark creativity, and let deputies really recharge.”
Drink’n walk
Dianne Heffernan, Chief Event Officer/VP of CCE Global Conferences and Events, proposed the idea of a walking cocktail party and placed a group of 40 neuroscientists attending scholarship awards and dinner along the restaurant station at the High Line in New York City.
“We are using standard, and when I look at the windows of the event space, I see the high line and want to do something completely different. I’m with a local guide service and a catering provider willing to come up with the New York City-themed Hors d’oeuvres.”
She said attendees liked it. “I’m considering doing it again for the live events of the Northeast Branch.”
Research from the American College of Career and Environmental Medicine shows the benefits of walking meetings. Not only do they contribute to the health of participants, but the natural and changes of the landscape trigger new neural trajectories in the brain, triggering new ideas and solutions to problems. Walking meetings can also break boundaries, encourage participation and increase productivity.
Some basic rules
Timeextender’s chief DNA and culture officer Anne Bach Krog Iversen is a fan of walking meetings, but planners are encouraged to plan ahead like indoor meetings.
Her tips:
•Please ahead of time the appropriate route, such as a park or a quiet street, and make sure that the path is safe to reach.
• Record meetings for participants who may not be able to attend physically.
• Check the weather and share it with everyone so that they can dress properly. Remind them to bring comfortable shoes. If the weather doesn’t work together, make a backup plan.
• Set up a clear agenda and bring specific discussion points to landmarks or turns on the route to keep the conversation going and on track.
•Supply water from the beginning, and those who may want coffee or cold drinks are not allowed to stop.
“If you’re in the conference room, treat it with the same respect this time,” she said.
