Latest news with #outdoorEvents
Skift
15-07-2025
- Health
- Skift
Keeping Cool and Connected: Attendee Wellbeing Strategies for Summer Outdoor Events
Ensure attendee wellbeing at summer outdoor events with tips on heat, hydration, accessibility, and real-time engagement. It's 2:45 PM. The outdoor breakout session under a tent is running long. Someone near the front is fanning themselves with a printed agenda. Your phone battery is at 11%. And the networking energy you planned for this moment? Gone. Sound familiar? When you're organizing a summer event with outdoor components, things can go sideways quickly if you don't think ahead about attendee well-being. From heat and fatigue to Wi-Fi issues and sensory overload, the risks are real. And today's attendees are clear about what they expect: comfort, care, and options that support how they show up. Wellness at outdoor events is no longer just a hospitality "nice-to-have". It's a core part of creating a high-quality experience. Why Attendee Wellbeing Must Be a Priority for Outdoor Events Image from Skift India Forum A good agenda won't matter much if people are dehydrated or overheated. When attendees aren't physically comfortable, it's hard for them to stay mentally present. Add in outdoor distractions, long walking distances, and limited shade, and even the best programming can lose its impact. Wellness matters because it affects everything else. Attention spans. Energy levels. Willingness to participate. If people feel drained, they check out early or disengage entirely. As the organizer, your role is not just to plan the schedule. It's to create the conditions for attendees to actually benefit from it. What Can Go Wrong Outside (if You Don't Plan Ahead) These are the most common outdoor challenges you'll need to plan around: Heat and sun exposure (see how soaring heat impacts events) Risk of dehydration Long walks with limited seating or shade Sensory overload from crowd noise, traffic, or music Accessibility issues on grass, gravel, or uneven ground Spotty Wi-Fi and charging access Lack of quiet or private spaces Wind, rain, and storms Each of these impacts attendee focus and satisfaction. According to the 2025 Cvent planner sourcing report, 26% of planners say a poor attendee experience would deter them from returning to a venue in the future, highlighting the direct business implications of neglecting wellbeing. The good news? Each one is manageable with thoughtful planning. Tactical Wellness Strategies You Can Implement Today Photo Credits: Panasonic Let's get specific. These are field-tested ways to build wellness into your summer outdoor event, even on a tight timeline or budget. 1. Make Physical Comfort Easy Provide plenty of shaded areas using tents, umbrellas, or existing tree cover Place water refill stations near every major gathering zone Offer cooling towels or portable fans at check-in and wellness stations Set up misting areas near high-traffic spaces if your venue allows Stock sunscreen in shared spaces and bathrooms Example: Panasonic's Dry Mist System, showcased at CES 2024, used a micro-mist curtain to reduce heat stress in open-air environments. If you can only do one thing: Put shade and water within easy reach of every session area and lounge zone. 2. Reduce Mental and Physical Fatigue Break up long sessions with movement-friendly transitions Avoid full-sun exposure for keynotes or breakouts if possible Create rest zones with seating that feels close to the action, not off to the side Build in buffer time between sessions to allow people to recharge Example: Some planners integrate brief wellness activations like 10–15 minute brain-boosting exercises or somatic breathwork sessions between meetings to help attendees recharge both mentally and physically. Dami Kim, director of Body and Brain Corporate Wellness, recommends brain-boosting exercises to improve focus, while Sepideh Eivazi, of Dawn of the Earth and the Global Wellness Institute, offers breathwork to reduce stress and increase energy. What this looks like: Bean bags under trees, a mobile lounge cart with fans and snacks, or hammocks in a quieter corner. 3. Serve Light, Energy-Supporting Food and Drinks Choose foods that feel fresh and easy to digest in the heat: fruit, wraps, salads, popsicles Clearly label all dietary options and allergen information Keep snacks and drinks stocked beyond just meal windows Tip: Offer branded electrolyte packets or chilled fruit-infused water as a low-cost, high-impact touch. For inspiration, check out 25 Health Cautious Catering Ideas for Your Meetings and Events 4. Keep People Engaged and Equipped Set up mobile charging stations throughout the space Provide printed maps and schedules as a backup to apps Use clear signage and wayfinding to minimize walking confusion Train staff to help with tech, logistics, and comfort questions on the fly Add a Wellness Response Team: Assign a few staff or volunteers to check on guests, refill hydration stations, and spot people who may need a break. Give them badges or shirts so they're easy to spot. What Not to Do Some common mistakes are easy to avoid once you know what to watch for: Putting hydration stations far from breakout areas Scheduling anything in the midday sun Relying only on digital tools in a space with weak connectivity Ignoring terrain challenges for guests with mobility needs Forgetting quiet or private spaces for nursing, prayer, or sensory recovery Waiting until someone complains before adjusting your setup Relying on long-term weather forecasts Not having a backup plan For more on weather-proofing your event, see Don't Let Climate Change Blow Your Event Away. Monitor Attendee Wellbeing You don't need to guess how attendees are doing. Build in systems to gather quick feedback and adjust fast. Monitor key zones: Are people lingering or leaving? Are the shaded seats full? Empower staff to fix issues on the spot, whether it's restocking water or moving a session into shade Ask volunteers to report what they hear and see Try this: Set up a 'What Would Help You Right Now?' board with sticky notes or a live comment screen. Update your response plan every few hours based on the input. Wellness Drives Engagement and Outcomes When people feel good, they stay longer. They network more. They absorb what you've worked hard to deliver. Prioritizing wellness during an outdoor event isn't just thoughtful but strategic. You don't need a spa tent or a massive budget to get this right. You need intention and visibility. And you need a team that's empowered to care for people in real time. Because when attendees feel taken care of, they take more away from the experience.
Condé Nast Traveler
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
This Weekend, New York City Will Have Tons of Free Watersports
There are always tons of things to do in New York City, but we've got an activity alert for visitors right now: Did you know Saturday, July 12 is City of Water Day? This special day of initiatives sees environmentally conscious events and activities pop up all around the city. It's a great way not only to keep cool but also to keep the summer momentum going past July 4. Events include community kayaking, picnicking, stand-up paddle boarding lessons, and more. For exhaustive details, browse the City of Water Day website and Below, we break down what you need to know to make the most of the day, and call out a few of the events that look particularly appealing. What is City of Water Day? Going on 18 years strong, City of Water Day is, according to its organizers, an all-day outdoor event intended to 'champion a climate-resilient New York and New Jersey harbor.' Put on by Waterfront Alliance and New York–New Jersey Harbor & Estuary Program (HEP), the series of activities take place throughout the five boroughs, plus New Jersey and Westchester and Rockland counties. Aquatic offerings will abound all day long—from beachcombing and boating, to birdwatching and even live concerts. When is City of Water Day? Saturday, July 12. Where is City of Water Day? The five boroughs, Westchester and Rockland counties, and New Jersey all have events and activities on City of Water Day. How to participate City of Water Day's dozens of events are free and open for all to attend. Because many of the events are organized independently by communities, participants might have to register in advance—be sure to do your research and read the website or social media tied to each event before showing up. Standout events Flood Protection in Lower Manhattan: A Walking Tour of the Financial District & Seaport Climate Resilience Plan At Seaport's Pier 17, at 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., New Yorkers can join NYC Economic Development Corporation and the Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice to learn about what the city is doing to prepare for climate disasters. The 8th annual Jamaica Bay Festival will go from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The free family-friendly palooza will take place in Queens and Brooklyn, with 30+ activities at various locations encircling Jamaica Bay—which can be found on the map featured in the link. There will be free kayaking, fishing, surfing, hiking, bird watching, art, yoga, and more. Look out for highlights like the beach party and live music at Rockaway Beach 97th Concessions, high powered telescope viewing at Jacob Riis Park, and stand-up paddleboard lessons at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn. Yes you can have both this summer: city and the great outdoors. From 10:30 to noon, urban park rangers will teach New Yorkers how to fish at Transmitter Park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Those who join will learn how to properly hold a fishing rod, how to fish ethically, and about the surrounding waterways. Recommended for kids ages eight and up. Registration not required. Curious about the natural beauty in Brooklyn's unofficial backyard? Meet at the Prospect Park Picnic House at 1:00 p.m. (on West Drive and Fifth Street) to follow urban park rangers on a walking tour of the waterfalls and their infrastructure. Registration not required. What happens in the event of inclement weather? The independent organizations running each event will make the call on whether to carry on, cancel, or postpone. Check their websites or social media channels for updates. What's the deal with social media? Participants are encouraged to tag @waterfrontalliance or @nynjhep on Instagram, or use the hashtag #CityofWaterDay, and just might get their photos and videos re-posted on the organizations' profiles. What about a scavenger hunt? The organizers have partnered with Holes in the Wall Collective and Goosechase to create a City of Water Day digital scavenger hunt. New Yorkers can download the Goosechase app and enter the code CityofWater2025 to participate.
Skift
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Skift
An Event's Worst Enemy? The Weather. Here's How Planners Can Prepare
Rosé on the rooftop in New York City. Sunset cocktails on the Seine. An evening architecture cruise along the Chicago River. Countless carefully planned outdoor experiences like these have been ruined by weather. Events are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather, according to a new report co-authored by Shawna McKinley, principal, Clear Current Consulting. It tracked 2,091 events over a 20-year period. Among the report's key findings: The number of reported incidents of storms, heat, wildfires, and flooding impacting event outcomes climbed between 2023 and 2024. The total number of reported event disruptions caused by extreme weather increased by 86.5%, with major storms playing a significant role. The threat of extreme heat, which has already reached over 40°C (104°F) this summer in parts of Europe, is different from other weather threats, said McKinley. 'Unlike major storms and hurricanes that typically cancel events outright, people still gather at events when it's hot,' she said. 'So on-site contingencies are needed to reduce heat exposure.' What Can Planners Do? McKinley recommends that planners look to their destination partners for information on weather risks, and advocates that destinations be prepared to provide this information. 'Bear in mind, though, that past weather may not fully predict future risk as climate changes. So destinations may need to refer to local, regional, and national climate projection models. Resilient destinations can translate these projections into briefs for travelers.' Some destinations are already taking steps to address the issue. Following the 2021 heat dome in British Columbia, the province developed planning resources to help event organizers with contingency planning, along with a province-wide alert system. Travel Alberta has prepared a landing page of wildfire-related information, including how to monitor for issues and sign up for notices and alerts. Among the tools planners can use to assess risk are the U.S. Climate Vulnerability Index, which publishes a map showing which communities are most impacted by changing climate. In Europe, a new report, Extreme Weather Risks for Tourism in the European Union, ranks destinations by their weather risk. Seasonality is also changing, with shoulder seasons — a popular choice for meetings — now at risk of less-than-optimal weather. 'Would you want to book a shoulder season winter incentive program in a destination where the number of winter days, and access to winter experiences, are shrinking? Probably not without a good back-up plan,' McKinley said. 'If you need predictable weather for your event to come off well, choose your timing and destination carefully, because things are changeable. Bear in mind, 'extreme' weather impacts on events aren't just about high damage/short duration events, but slow changes, like winter warming.'
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Annual Ann Arbor Summer Festival continues with extreme heat in the forecast
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival is in full swing, bringing live music and other performances to the University of Michigan campus. While the festival is turning up the excitement, Mother Nature has also decided to turn up the heat. From live music to stunning art performances, to movies under the stars, the 42nd festival has entertainment for kids, parents and even grandparents. Squonk is bringing the noise, and some instruments, like you've never seen before, for the event's second weekend. "Every night at Top of the Park, people can experience music on multiple stages, kids' activities, arts and crafts, and great food," said the festival's executive director, Michael Michelon. "It is an outdoor spectacle immersive spectacle of music, imagination, and wackiness, and it's for all ages. It culminates with some audience participation and a giant instrument called the Squankordion." The generous amount of shaded areas, free ice and free water stations should help attendees manage the heat, but with temperatures possibly hitting triple digits, medical experts suggest taking extra precautions to avoid heat exhaustion. "Prehydrate before you go out. Wear the right clothing, proper attire. Loose-fitting, light colored hats, sunblock. If you are experiencing any of those heat exhaustion symptoms like muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, weakness, seek medical treatment," said Dr. Patricia Paz Arabo, chair of the Trinity Health Livonia Emergency Department. The festival's beer garden will be a big draw, but Arabo says to drink extra responsibly in this heat. She says alcohol dehydrates the body, so while it might be refreshing, it can also make managing the heat even tougher. The festival's Top of the Park will be located outside the University of Michigan's Rackham Auditorium all weekend, but if you want to avoid the heat, consider coming out when the temperatures drop, as they'll have activities going on the following Tuesday through Sunday.
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Fantastic Friday across Maryland ahead of dangerous heat wave
We get to enjoy a fantastic Friday of weather after a strong to damaging line of storms Thursday evening. Skies will stay partly to mostly sunny today with a comfortable breeze out of the west-northwest. Humidity levels dropped overnight and we'll benefit from the low humidity today. High temperatures will climb into the middle 80s. All outdoor plans now through this evening look picture perfect. Enjoy this beautiful and comfortable weather today as a dangerous heat wave is on the way. Summer heat during AFRAM weekend A surge of heat builds into the region this weekend, just in time for major outdoor events like the AFRAM festival in Baltimore. Highs on both Saturday and Sunday will rise into the low to mid-90s, and when combined with elevated humidity levels, heat index values could climb to near 100 degrees or higher by Sunday afternoon. Festival-goers are urged to take precautions, including wearing light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, seeking shade when possible, and drinking plenty of water. The UV index over the weekend will be around a 9 or 10, so please wear sun protection and apply generous amounts of sunscreen. Dangerous heat wave arrives next week A powerful upper-level ridge of high pressure will establish itself over the Mid-Atlantic, creating a multi-day stretch of extreme heat. First Alert Weather Days have been issued for Sunday through Wednesday of next week. Actual high temperatures will flirt with 100° each day. The heat index could easily exceed that threshold, possibly feeling as hot as 105°. In some highly urbanized areas, heat index values may climb as high as 110°, Monday and Tuesday should be the peak of the heat wave, with some spots potentially experiencing heat index values above 105 degrees. These conditions could lead to heat-related illnesses if proper precautions aren't taken. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities during peak heating hours, check on vulnerable neighbors, and ensure pets have access to water and shade. Later in the week, the upper-level ridge will begin to weaken, allowing for slightly cooler - though still hot - temperatures in the 90s. As moisture returns to the region, so will the chance for scattered thunderstorms by late next week, offering a potential pattern change as July gets underway. Stay with WJZ for continuous updates on the intensifying heat into next week.
