Wellness Fairs

A health fair is an opportune way to familiarize personnel with health issues and related health promotion programs.  During a health fair personnel might  be able to -

o  obtain resource materials;

o  take part in offered medical screenings (vision, hearing, blood, cholesterol, cancer, dental, etc.);

o  observe demonstrations on the use of fitness equipment;

o  Attend mini-seminars on various health topics;

o  get free promotional items from local businesses;

o  sample healthful foods; and

o  obtain information about their health benefit plan.

Some corporations feature a “health and benefit fair” which includes providers representing the various worker benefit plans (long-term disability, retirement, etc.) available to employees through their corporation.

Considerations when coordinating a health fair -

o  Establishing up a successful wellness fair takes extensive time. Time issues ought to be taken into account in planning and organizing such an event.  The most time consuming part is typically contacting potential participants, making arrangements for their participation, confirming their participation, and setting up the day of the event.

o  Sufficient space, tables and chairs must available to allow for the number of providers invited. Some providers may have portable displays or materials that’ll require additional space, access to electrical outlets, or other logistical considerations that should be discussed before the wellness fair.

o  Vendors will be hoping to make contact with as many persons as possible during the event. Securing their commitment to future wellness fairs requires that every effort be made to promote participation by publicizing the event, choosing the proper venue, and offering incentives.

o  When possible, locate the wellness fair in an area with heavy foot traffic.

o  Ask providers to supply free materials at their table and to make a donation to a prize drawing. Follow all corporation policies when soliciting donations.

o  As an idea to elevate staff member participation and to keep interest high, each attendee may be given a “passport”, similar to a bingo card, to be signed by each vendor.  The signed passport becomes the ticket for the prize drawings. Such drawings ought to take place every 15 or 30 minutes.

o  Consider teaming up with neighboring corporations to stage a health fair. A team effort will spread out the work and maximize participation.

Ideas for a Benefits Fair -

Invite representatives from each of your employee benefits provider groups. Ask each vendor to be prepared to answer employee questions regarding their wellness program. Representatives could include -

o  Retirement plan representative.

o  Long-term disability plan representative.

o  Medical plan representative.

o  Healthful Benefits representative.

o  Contract cell phone representative (if applicable).

o  Local savings and loan or credit union representative.

o  Workers’ compensation representative.

Limited Space for a Health Fair – When space is limited conduct the fair at lunch time. Place stations in corporation hallways or in individual small conference or office rooms scattered throughout the building.

Give a map with all the stations listed. Hold a free drawing awarding a prize for whoever who goes to 75% of the stations. Use a punch card or similar method to verify.

Resources for health and benefit fairs coordination -

Assume a broad definition of “health” and reflect that by including a selection of vendors and services involved with physical, mental, financial and social health.

For example, health agencies, safety organizations, benefits providers, local healthcare facilities, recreational facilities, parks, financial planners, childcare referrals, EAP, health clubs, health food stores, library, alternative and complementary medicine providers, etc.