Better care, better performance. Photo Credit: Syda Productions for Adobe Stock
As attendee expectations around wellness continue to evolve, Hilton is aiming to make well-being a more intentional part of the meeting experience. This week, the hotel company launched High Performance Meetings, a new framework that helps planners support attendee wellness through initiatives focused on mindset, nutrition, movement and recovery.
Developed in partnership with human-performance consulting firm Tignum, the initiative gives planners a flexible blueprint for incorporating wellness into meetings through hotel amenities, customized programming and resources to help sustain performance before, during and after an event.
“Wellness has become essential to how people live and travel, and those expectations don't disappear when they're attending meetings and events,” said Amanda Al-Masri, vice president of wellness at Hilton. “Our role is to make it easier for guests to maintain the routines that help them feel their best, wherever their travels take them. High Performance Meetings extends that approach to group experiences, making wellness a more intentional part of how people gather, connect and collaborate.”
Incorporating wellness into event design
The launch comes as wellness moves beyond smoothie stations and optional yoga classes to become a more integral part of event design.
According to Hilton research, 67 percent of attendees report feeling less engaged when events don't include meaningful downtime. Meanwhile, 55 percent said they would likely skip sessions to decompress if breaks aren't built into the agenda. That figure climbs to 61 percent among Gen Z and Millennial attendees.
“Part of what fascinates me about wellness is that it means something different to everyone,” David T. Stevens, PMED, WITT-AP, co-founder of Olympian Meeting, told Northstar Meetings Group in a recent interview. “For one person it might be movement; for someone else, it's staying on their meal plan, psychological safety, recovery, or simply feeling connected and having a sense of belonging.”
The trend reflects broader consumer demand as well. According to McKinsey & Company, the global wellness market is valued at $2.7 trillion, with the United States accounting for roughly $700 billion.
Built around four pillars
The framework is built around four pillars: mindset, which includes mindfulness and reflection; nutrition, through food-and-beverage offerings designed to support sustained energy; movement, via activity integrated throughout the agenda; and recovery, with dedicated opportunities for rest and restoration.
Extending wellness beyond the event
The program also extends across the attendee journey through three phases. “Arrive Ready” focuses on pre-event preparation and travel-readiness resources. “Stay Ready” emphasizes agenda design and wellness experiences that support sustained energy and engagement during the event. “Return Ready” provides post-event tools and guidance intended to help attendees maintain momentum after returning home.