Meet the Inaugural Olympian Wellness Award Winners

December 12, 2024

Meet some of the venues, initiatives and organizations that won Olympian Wellness Awards for integrating holistic approaches to physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Wellness is a key component to most meetings and events these days, but those who are empowering and supporting meeting and event planners who integrating wellness elements into their program all too often go unsung.

Not anymore. Olympian Meeting, in collaboration with #Fit4Events, has launched the inaugural Olympian Wellness Awards to recognize and incentivize innovation in attendee wellbeing and human-sustainable meeting practices. According to David T. Stevens, Wellness Architect and Host, Olympian Meeting, “This year’s awards are going to various spaces and places we have seen and experienced first-hand to award them for empowering planners to make this a lift more approachable and easier.”

The awards were designed to emphasize several key concepts:

Highlighting organizations that are successfully embedding wellness into events, setting a benchmark for best practices
• Encouraging the industry to evolve with innovative approaches to attendee care and engagement
• Recognizing creative solutions, from reducing carbon footprints to integrating mindfulness and movement
• Rewarding event designs that foster connections, improve satisfaction, and drive measurable returns on investment and emotion (ROI and ROE)
• Honoring trailblazers prioritizing both attendee and environmental health
• Reinforcing the event industry’s role in positive societal impact and community building

And the awards go to:
Olympian Meeting Mindfulness Award for excellence in creating experiences that enhance mental wellbeing:

Running Mate, which provides real-time, on-demand and verified running “mates” whenever you need them, for Best Attendee Physical Safety
Event Minds Matter, a community of like-minded event, meeting, hospitality and travel professionals who have come together to “Build brave spaces to amplify the industry’s conversation on emotional health and well-being,” for Best Mental Health Advocate

Olympian Meeting Movement Award for excellence in creating experiences that enhance mental wellbeing:

Lake Nona Wave Hotel in Orlando for Best Hotel Gym for its complimentary access to Lake Nona Performance Club, a state-of-the-art fitness, sports and integrative health center that enables guests to work out with an expert team of trainers and wellness professionals dedicated to helping achieve their goals.

Olympian Meeting Meaning Award for initiatives that bring purpose and connection to events:

Mauna Lani for Closest Community Ties for events and initiatives that seamlessly integrate wellness, community engagement and environmental stewardship with programs that connect attendees with the island’s rich heritage, its local communities, and the natural environment.
Club Ichi for Community Connector for leading its B2B event marketing gatherings with an intentional presence that inspires members to make deeper connections and pushes their imagination and creativity to think about events in new ways.

Olympian Meeting Meals Awards for creative and health-focused approaches to event dining:

Caesars Entertainment for best zero-proof elixir for its Zero Proof Botanical Drinks Challenge. The challenge, which highlighted innovative, low-calorie beverages, immersed attendees in a vibrant, floral-themed setting featuring botanicals like Ashwagandha and kava.
Canyon Ranch – Woodside for most nutritionally conscious menu. Canyon Ranch effectively utilizes Computrition, a software tool designed to manage and communicate detailed nutritional information for their meals. By leveraging this technology, they ensure every dish served includes precise macronutrient information such as calories, fats, carbs, protein and sodium content. This data is made accessible to attendees, fostering informed meal choices and enhancing the wellness experience.

Olympian Meeting Gathering Spaces Awards for designing environments that foster collaboration and comfort:

Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe | Houston earned the accolade for Best Indoor Meeting Space for its combination of functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Cornerstone Sonoma for Best Outdoor Meeting Space for its array of outdoor gathering and meeting spaces that blend natural beauty with sophisticated functionality. Set in the heart of Sonoma wine country, the venue features beautifully manicured gardens, expansive lawns, and versatile event spaces perfect for conferences and corporate retreats.
Anchorage, Alaska, got the Best Surprise Destination Olympian Meeting Wellness Award for unmatched accessibility with direct flights from major cities, mild weather during spring, summer and fall, and stunning natural landscapes that can heighten creativity, focus and well-being. Anchorage also honors its rich Indigenous heritage, with venues and experiences that celebrate and respect Alaska Native traditions.

Olympian Meeting Agenda Design Award for thoughtfully balancing engagement and downtime for attendees:

IMEX America for its a holistic and wellness-centered approach to its agenda, integrating ample time for meetings, education and self-care. With features like guided mindfulness sessions, curated movement breaks, and nourishing meals, participants experience reduced stress and increased focus.

#Fit4Events Futuristic AV Production Award for AV solutions promoting the well-being of everyone involved, from front of house to behind the scenes:

Amplified Production Group for their exceptional work on the Scentsy World Tours, showcasing advanced AV solutions that prioritize the well-being of everyone involved — from front-of-house staff to behind-the-scenes teams. This award celebrates their innovative approach to using dynamic visuals, immersive audio and thoughtful lighting design to create an environment that fosters engagement, relaxation and energy, tailored to the needs of each moment.

#Fit4Events Innovative Wellness Technology Award honoring technology that enhances attendee wellbeing:

NovoBeing for its groundbreaking use of VR/MR technology to redefine wellness experiences. This award celebrates their commitment to leveraging advanced technology to support both physical and mental well-being, transforming the way individuals experience care and recovery.

#Fit4Events Empowered BTS Teams Award to acknowledge the behind-the-scenes teams driving wellness-focused events:

Meetings & Incentives Worldwide for its exceptional commitment to fostering a culture of wellness, empowerment and support for their behind-the-scenes teams. This recognition celebrates their dedication to creating an environment where clear communication, professional development, and well-being are prioritized, ensuring their teams thrive both personally and professionally.

For more on the inaugural Olympian Meeting Wellness Award winners, click here.