Five ways meeting planners can elevate experiences by leaving the building
Professionals crave more than breakout sessions and PowerPoint decks in today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated world. They’re seeking meaningful experiences, deeper connections and mental clarity—and few environments support these goals better than the great outdoors. For meeting planners, integrating nature into conference programming isn’t just a trend—it’s a powerful strategy for improving engagement, wellness and innovation.
For example, shinrin-yoku (aka “forest bathing”) involves intentionally spending time in wooded areas to improve well-being. A meta-analysis of multiple scientific papers found that people who practiced forest bathing experienced lower cortisol levels, indicating reduced stress.
With that in mind, here are five specific, proven ways to incorporate nature into business conferences:
Refresh the Sesh
Instead of reserving every session for ballrooms and boardrooms, planners can offer breakout sessions in gardens, terraces or even under shaded canopies in parks. Whether it’s a guided discussion circle in a vineyard or a leadership coaching session beside a lake, moving smaller groups outside fosters fresh thinking and helps participants decompress.
Kelly Gleeson Smith, senior vice president of sales at Caesars Entertainment, says, “Events that prioritize well-being consistently see higher engagement and improved Net Promoter Scores (NPS). In fact, organizations that integrate wellness into their programs report up to a 25% increase in participant satisfaction and engagement, with wellness-focused events often achieving NPS scores 15–20 points higher than traditional formats.”
Take a Hike
Networking is a core value of any business conference, but cocktail hours in loud ballrooms aren’t the only way to build relationships. Guided nature walks—whether on a nearby trail, beach or urban greenway—encourage conversation in a relaxed, low-pressure environment.
“Getting teams outdoors is a magical experience. People arrive smiling, sometimes a little nervous, but the moment we step onto the trail, there’s a sense of ease. Nature does that—it dissolves barriers and invites people to connect in ways that don’t happen around a boardroom table,” says Debbie Dutra, co-founder of Synergy Learning Systems. “Before we even start the walk down to the ropes course, we gather beneath the redwoods. I’ll ask people to pair up as they walk down and have a conversation like, ‘What are three things you could teach me that have nothing to do with work?’ The conversations from those prompts are incredible.”
Active Activations
Outdoor wellness sessions can restore energy and focus before the day’s first keynote or in the late afternoon slump. Morning yoga on a hotel rooftop, lakeside meditation or tai chi in a botanical garden are just a few ways to incorporate nature-inspired wellness.
Gleeson Smith says, “We’ve incorporated outdoor wellness experiences into our programming, notably during our Global Wellness Forum, where we launched our wellness menu initiative. We selected a gentle Yin Yoga activation in the nearby Spring Mountain range. The following day, we ventured to the Colorado River for a gentle river tour. On both days, we flipped the agenda—placing the nature-based activity in the morning and holding the educational components in the afternoon. This approach led to exceptionally high levels of engagement,” she added.
Venues with Views
Selecting open-air venues like pavilions, vineyards or eco-resorts immediately transforms a conference’s atmosphere. These spaces encourage more relaxed, natural conversations while reinforcing a brand’s sustainability values.
Read More: Alternative Venues: Not Your Usual Suspects
Dutra says, “At places like Chaminade Conference Center, the trails wind through different ecosystems—eucalyptus groves, redwood forests—and just walking together outdoors creates connection. I’ve seen people light up discovering a banana slug for the first time, or delighting in the smell of eucalyptus leaves.”
Tackle It as a Team
Replace traditional team-building exercises with outdoor adventures that challenge and bond participants. Activities like paddleboarding, rock climbing, hiking or even guided horseback riding offer memorable shared experiences that build trust and camaraderie.
“The ropes course in the redwoods itself is powerful. It’s not just about climbing—it’s about relying on each other in a very real way. You see people encouraging teammates, holding one another’s safety lines and finding courage they didn’t know they had. And they gain courage by truly building trust in their teammates and being willing to be vulnerable,” adds Dutra.
Blending nature into conferences isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a decision that improves attendee experience, supports wellness and fosters meaningful connections. For meeting planners looking to future-proof their events, embracing the outdoors provides a powerful, powerful edge.
Brought to you by Caesars Entertainment
This article appears in the September 2025 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
