We spoke with Terranea Resort’s Senior Vice President of Sales/Marketing Agnelo Fernandes, to learn how the resort is leveraging wellness programs to enhance meetings and events. Here’s what he had to say:
Do you have any new wellness initiatives for 2015?
Fernandes: As a new addition to our unique collection of activities and programs that are geared towards groups, we have just launched “1 Minute Aromatherapy Revival” treatments that are perfect for morning breaks from The Spa at Terranea. Massage therapists start with inhalations of a revitalizing essential oil blend, then perform a one-minute neck massage. It is the perfect pick-me-up during meeting breaks for attendees to feel refreshed and refocused. For executives attending events, Terranea also offers The Bungalows—adult-only, exclusive oceanside accommodations with an added emphasis on wellness, health, and fitness through The Spa amenities.
Additionally, we are always expanding our offerings at pointe discovery, Terranea’s adventure concierge, that allow guests and groups to experience the rich culture and natural history of the Peninsula first-hand. The resort’s coves and trails provide the perfect backdrop to explore by land or sea. Popular aqua and terra eco- activities include kayorkling—a combination of snorkeling and kayaking, which allows guests to discover the rich sea and nature preserve surrounding Terranea with a guided naturalist.
In what ways can planners inject wellness into their programs?
There are several ways that we encourage planners to infuse wellness into meetings, from activities as simple as stretch breaks between speakers to stay alert and comfortable throughout all-day sessions, to chair massages at registration desks to alleviate travel stress, and having wellness breakouts that help attendees “eat right on the road” with a nutritionist. We invite guests to start the day with morning group classes: Seaside yoga, Nature’s Gym, Zumba or Tai Chi. Another way is to use our 102 acres for wellness programs such as walking tours, golf, biking, and water sports.
We understand that each group has varying needs and our staff welcomes the opportunity to shape the programs that we currently offer to fit your group’s dynamic. We also welcome the challenge of creating a completely new and unique program designed especially for your group. Either way, it will be a memorable and successful experience.
How can planners creatively leverage food & beverage to enhance an incentive group’s overall takeaway?
One of the best ways is to incorporate custom healthy menus or choose from our existing banquet menus that have healthy options. Our chefs can work with you on creating menus for all meal periods that inflect sustainable, organic and healthy items. Terranea features locally grown and harvested products such as lemons, honey and sea salts—creating a true farm-to-Terranea experience. There really is no menu that we cannot customize or create from scratch based on your guests’ preferences and dietary needs. Our extensive banquet menu selections are merely a guideline to inspire. Our chefs love to be creative and consistently deliver new menus for our groups.
