A health fair is an opportune way to familiarize personnel with health issues and related health promotion programs. During a health fair personnel could be able to –
• obtain resource materials;
• participate in offered health screenings (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 healthy foods; and
• obtain information about their health benefit plan.
Some corporations feature a “health and benefit fair” which includes providers representing the various staff member benefit plans (long-term disability, retirement, etc.) available to personnel through their corporation.
Considerations when coordinating a wellness fair –
• Setting up a successful wellness fair takes extensive time. Time issues must be taken into account in planning and organizing such an event. The most time consuming part is usually contacting potential participants, making arrangements for their participation, confirming their participation, and establishing up the day of the event.
• Sufficient space, tables and chairs must available to allow for the number of providers invited. Some providers might have portable displays or materials that will require additional space, access to electrical outlets, or other logistical considerations that must be discussed before the wellness fair.
• Vendors are going to 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.
• When 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 company policies when soliciting donations.
• As an idea to increase worker participation and to keep interest high, each attendee can 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 should take place every 15 or 30 minutes.
• Consider teaming up with neighboring corporations 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 vendor to be prepared to answer staff member questions regarding their health promotion program. Representatives could include –
• Retirement plan representative.
• Long-term disability plan representative.
• Health plan representative.
• Healthful Benefits representative.
• Contract cell phone representative (if applicable).
• Local savings and loan or credit union representative.
• Workers’ compensation representative.
Limited Space for a Wellness Fair – If 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 anyone 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 variety of providers and services involved with physical, mental, financial and social health.
For instance, health agencies, safety businesses, benefits providers, local health care facilities, recreational facilities, parks, financial planners, childcare referrals, EAP, fitness centers, health food stores, library, alternative and complementary medicine providers, etc.
