Walking meetings date all the way to Ancient Greece, and Apple CEO Steve Jobs was known for holding them on the company’s Palo Alto campus. Now they’re having a moment at meetings.
Destination Canada held a ‘Walk ‘n Talk’ meeting in January during PCMA’s Convening Leaders at Houston’s Discovery Green park.
The session, which was intended to refresh and inspire attendees, reinforced Destination Canada’s brand mission: “Leave Inspired, Not Tired.” The special guest was Lori McCarthy, a cultural storyteller and founder of Food Culture Place, who led participants through a grounding practice and a discussion on sustainable event planning.
The 60 meeting planner walkers were able to access the session on their phones using the conference app.
Virginie De Visscher, executive director, business events at Destination Canada, said it was such a success that they are discussing hosting similar walks in the future. “It showed how simple design shifts like taking a breakout session outdoors can boost engagement, spark creativity, and leave delegates genuinely recharged.”
Drink ‘n Walk
Dianne Heffernan, chief events officer/vice president, CCE Global Meetings & Events, came up with the idea of a walking cocktail reception, with F&B stations placed along the High Line in New York City, for a group of 40 neuroscientists attending a Fellowship Award meeting and dinner.
“We were using The Standard, and as I looked out the window of the event space, I saw the High Line and wanted to do something completely different. I worked with a local tour guide service and a caterer who was willing to come up with NYC-themed hors d’ oeuvres.”
Attendees loved it, she said. “I’m thinking of doing it again for a SITE Northeast chapter event.”
Research from the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine points to the benefits of walking meetings. Not only do they contribute to participants’ health, but nature and changes of scenery trigger new neuro-pathways in the brain, sparking new ideas and solutions to problems. Walking meetings can also break down boundaries, encourage engagement, and increase productivity.
Some Ground Rules
Anne Bach Krog Iversen, chief DNA & culture officer at TimeXtender, is a fan of walking meetings, but encourages planners to plan ahead as they would for an indoor meeting.
Among her tips:
• Choose a suitable route ahead of time, such as a park or a quiet street, and make sure the path is accessible and safe.
• Record the meeting for attendees who might not be able to physically attend.
• Check the weather and share it with everyone so they can dress appropriately. Remind them to bring comfortable shoes. Have a back-up plan if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
• Set a clear agenda and align specific discussion points to landmarks or turns in your route to keep the conversation moving and on track.
• Supply water at the start and don’t allow stops for people who might want a coffee or a cold drink.
“Treat this time with the same respect you would if you were in a meeting room,” she said.
