Health Fairs

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

• obtain resource materials;
• participate in offered health testings (vision, hearing, blood, cholesterol, cancer, dental, etc.);
• observe demonstrations on the use of fitness equipment;
• attend mini-seminars on various health topics;
• get free promotional items from local businesses;
• sample healthful foods; and
• obtain information about their health benefit plan.

Some employers feature a “health and benefit fair” which includes vendors representing the various staff member benefit plans (long-term disability, retirement, etc.) available to employees through their employer.

Considerations when coordinating a health fair -

• Establishing up a successful health fair takes robust time. Time issues should be taken into account in planning and organizing such an event. the most time consuming part is ordinarily contacting potential participants, making arrangements for their participation, confirming their participation, and setting up the day of the event.

• Sufficient space, tables and chairs must available to allow for the number of vendors invited. Some vendors might have portable displays or materials that will require additional space, access to electrical outlets, or other logistical considerations that should be discussed prior to the health fair.

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

• If possible, locate the wellness fair in an area with heavy foot traffic.

• Ask vendors to supply free materials at their table and to make a donation to a prize drawing. Follow all employer policies when soliciting donations.

• as an idea to elevate worker participation and to keep interest high, each attendee could be given a “passport”, similar to a bingo card, to be signed by each provider. the signed passport becomes the ticket for the prize drawings. Such drawings ought to take place every 15 or 30 minutes.

• Consider teaming up with neighboring businesss to stage a wellness fair. A team effort will spread out the work and maximize participation.

Ideas for a Benefits Fair -

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

• Retirement plan representative.

• Long-term disability plan representative.

• Medical plan representative.

• Healthy Benefits representative.

• Contract cell phone representative (if applicable).

• Local savings and loan or credit union representative.

• Workers’ compensation representative.

Limited Space for a Health Fair -  If space is limited conduct the fair during lunch time. Place stations in company hallways or in individual small conference or office rooms scattered throughout the building.

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

Resources for health and benefit fairs coordination -

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

For  instance, health agencies, safety companies, benefits providers, local healthcare facilities, recreational facilities, parks, financial planners, childcare referrals, EAP, fitness centers, health food stores, library, alternative and complementary medicine providers, etc.