A panel of food and beverage experts dished on the future foods and ingredients that you’ll probably see on the event menus of tomorrow. Amaranth seeds, plant-based ingredients and even cricket flour were discussed.

As a mass of attendees slowly made their way onto the tradeshow floor on the first day of IMEX America in Las Vegas, I made a beeline to the Be Well Lounge at the other end of the hallway for a peaceful pit stop before the hectic pace ensued. After a short meditation with Lee Papa, along with a little healing sound therapy with “Rosie,” her the crystal singing bowl, I was off to the races—rested, rejuvenated and ready to take on the world.

Conferences provide wonderful opportunities for networking and learning. They can also be overwhelming and stressful. Mindfulness speaker, trainer and author Lee Papa shares her insights on mindful self-care before, during and after a conference to get the most out of the event and maintain your sanity in the process.

Worldwide hotel chain IHG is incorporating circadian lighting by partnering with Healthe by Lighting Science to put the JOURNI Mobile Task Light in guest rooms.

MGM Resorts' Michael Dominguez shares the company's research on the use of lighting at meetings and how color of light impacts mental acuity, alertness, energy, mood and engagement.

IMEX America 2018 in Las Vegas certainly encouraged attendees to get a move on. Two successful programs—one new and one tried and true—had participants ever-conscious of wellness and the importance of movement. 

Aromatherapy is a powerful tool to engage attendees, whether utilizing essential oils to create a relaxing ambience for participants, gifting them with essential oils or crafting opportunities for them to learn about their benefits.

The health benefits believed to come from essential oils can be traced to ancient history, when they were first used to improve the health of the body, mind and spirit. 

In the spirit of National Stress Awareness Month in April, we checked in with mindfulness and stress-reduction experts Lee Papa and Holly Duckworth to get their perspectives on innovative ways to slay—or at least tame—the stress dragon in every planner. Both Papa and Duckworth work within the meetings industry as speakers and advisers.