Starting her career at 19 as a budding marketing and promotions executive, Nova Browning Rutherford spent much of the next six years on autopilot. She worked in the hip hop music business in Toronto and Hollywood with artists such as Kanye West and other top names. Under the pressure of it all, combined with personal incidents that led to depression and anxiety, she hit a wall. Today, she is a top personal development coach and mindfulness and wellness expert with plenty of advice for busy professionals. 

As staying fit on the road continues to be a top priority for business travelers, including busy meeting professionals planning events or attending industry conferences, the recent Mollie Tibbetts tragedy is a reminder that we must continue to keep our guard up while running and exercising.

Civana, set in the desert town of Carefree, Arizona, is the first sustainable wellness resort in Greater Phoenix/Scottsdale, while 1440 Multiversity is set amid the majestic redwoods of Scotts Valley, California, in Santa Cruz County.

In recent years the wellness component of a meeting agenda has come to encompass a great deal more than arranging a block of spa appointments for attendees. Nowhere is this more evident than in Hawaii, where approaches to healing and well-being are deeply woven into the fabric of local culture and traditions. At resorts throughout the islands, planners will find wellness-related activities limited only by the imagination.

Activities that promote health and well-being have become an important part of meetings, and Ohio honors that trend with a wide variety of venues and events to keep attendees at their best. From salsa dancing in Cincinnati’s Fountain Square to hiking in Columbus or learning to sail in Cleveland, the Buckeye State knows how to make any group fit and relaxed.

Founded in 2008, One Gun Ranch is a biodynamic farm cradled in the Santa Monica Mountains with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and awe-inspiring rock formations. A magical place for healing mind, body and spirit, the ranch is a sanctuary of serenity that inspires a healthy lifestyle.

One of the best ways for planners to incorporate wellness into meetings is by gifting attendees with health-conscious amenities during the agenda. From essential oils to bath products to nutritious cookbooks, the choices nowadays are endless. Following are four great options.

With more than 12,000 acres of open expanse in Irvine and 42 miles of uninterrupted coastline, Orange County has plenty of space for attendees to move around in, making it ideal for groups that want to add health and wellness components to their meetings.

It’s likely you’ve all been there. Despite the best intentions to maintain a fitness routine while traveling for business as busy meeting planners, something inevitably goes awry.

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment without judgment, and mindful meetings are the future of meetings. As it becomes harder and harder to get people to join face to face, the more valuable mindful practices become for planners.