8 Ways to Protect Attendees From the "Super Flu"

This flu season is not like the others, surpassing any levels seen since 1997, the earliest for which data is available.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu has caused more than 180,000 hospitalizations and 7,400 deaths during the 2025-26 season. Most of the season’s cases are linked to a newer flu strain, subclade K, which has mutated enough to partially evade immunity from the current flu vaccine.

Just like in the days of Covid, some planners are taking precautions to make their meetings safer. 

“Wellness during this season isn’t about panic or overcorrection — it’s about supporting the human body so people can fully participate,” said Sharon DeFelices, founder, EIR Meetings. “The most effective planners embed subtle, thoughtful measures that signal care without disruption.”

Here are 8 steps you can take to keep attendees safe during the remaining winter months.

1. Create a Hydration-forward Environment

DeFelice suggests adding touches such as broth bars, immune-supportive juice stations, or welcome kits with electrolytes, vitamin C, and prevention essentials. 

2. Include Immune-Boosting Foods 

Prioritize nutrient density, digestibility, and warmth over excess. Among the “superfoods,” the category of foods known to build your immune system, are:
Citrus fruits: Oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and lemons and limes all contain high levels of vitamin C.

Poultry: Chicken is high in vitamin B-6, which can reduce inflammation and is needed in the creation of new red blood cells, and zinc, which increases the production of white blood cells. 

Yogurt: This and other foods with live and active cultures, including fermented foods, have high levels of vitamin D, which stimulates the immune system,

Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, and sunflower seeds contain B-6, magnesium, phosphorus, and selenium, which help regulate and maintain the immune system.

3. Rethink Buffets

Where possible, speak with your chef about how to make your meals as touchless as possible. This could include everything from serving items on separate plates, to avoiding shared utensils, to doing away with drinks from shared containers, such as a punch bowl.

4. Increase Filtration

Speak to your venue about its filtration system, and supplement it with freestanding air purifiers in the meeting space if necessary. HEPA filters are able to capture virus-carrying droplets (0.5-5 microns) from sneezes and coughs, which reduce airborne spread. 

5. Add Signage About Hygiene

Air filtration is not enough when used alone. Just like in the days of Covid, it helps to add signage encouraging attendees to cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze (or wear a mask), and to frequently wash their hands.  

6. Ask the Venue to Step Up Their Cleaning

Ask the hotel to enhance its schedule of cleaning and sanitizing public surfaces including doorknobs, handles and railings, elevators, and check-in kiosks.

7. Increase the Number of Sanitizer Stations

Just like in the days of Covid, add sanitizer stations at the meeting room and dining area entrances. Make sure the brand of hand sanitizer is at least 60% alcohol.

8. Slow the Pace to Allow for Rest

Running attendees ragged with lengthy days and events that stretch into the late hours doesn’t give them any time to recover. DeFelices suggests reconsidering early starts after evening events, like a 10:00 a.m. kickoff, with breakfast on their own. For a special touch, have breakfast delivered to attendees’ rooms one morning.