Health Handouts : Workplace Wellness Program Ideas: Health Fairs

A health fair is an opportune way to familiarize employees with health concerns and related wellness programs. During a health fair employees might be able to obtain resource materials; participate in offered wellness screenings (vision, hearing, blood, cholesterol, cancer, dental, etc.); observe demonstrations on the use of fitness equipment; attend mini-courses on various health issues; get free promotional items from local businesses; sample healthy foods; and gather information about their health benefit plan.

Some employers host a “health & benefit fair” which includes vendors representing the various employee benefit plans (long-term disability, retirement, etc.) available to workers through their business.

Considerations when coordinating a health & wellness fair:

• Setting up a thriving health and wellbeing fair takes extensive time. Time concerns should be taken into account in planning and organizing such an event. The most time consuming part is generally 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 be on hand to allow for the number of vendors involved. Some vendors may have portable displays or materials that will require additional space, access to electrical outlets, or other logistical considerations that must be discussed prior to the health and wellbeing fair.
• Vendors will be trying 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, selecting the proper venue, and offering incentives/rewards.
• If possible, locate the health and 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. Adhere to all company policies when seeking donations.
• As an idea to increase employee participation and to keep interest high, each attendee could be given a “passport”, similar to a bingo card, to be signed by each vendor. The signed passport serves as the ticket for the prize drawings. Such drawings should take place every 15 or 30 minutes.
• Consider teaming up with neighboring corporations to hold a wellness fair. A group effort will spread out the work and maximize participation.

Ideas for a Benefits Fair:

Include representatives from each of your employee benefits provider groups. Ask each vendor to be prepared to answer employee questions concerning their program. Representatives might include:

• Retirement plan representative.
• Long-term disability plan representative.
• Health plan representative.
• Health 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 at lunch time. Place stations in corporation hallways or in individual small conference or office rooms located throughout the building. Give a map with all the stations listed. Have a no cost 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 & benefit fairs coordination:

Assume a broad definition of “health” and reflect that by including a wide array of vendors and services involved with physical, mental, financial and social health; for example, health agencies, safety organizations, benefits providers, local medical care facilities, recreational facilities, parks, monetary planners, childcare referrals, EAP, health clubs, health food stores, library, alternative and complementary medicine providers, etc.