Unplugging Is the New Connection: 4 Tips for a Restorative Meeting Experience

This content was created collaboratively by the Arizona Office of Tourism and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX.

We are all beholden to technology — cell phones, inboxes, and Slack channels constantly alerting us to new notifications. With recent research revealing that more than half of Americans are suffering from burnout, it may be time to rethink this “always on” mentality.

Meetings and events can play a critical role in helping employees reclaim the work-life balance needed to keep them healthy and productive. However, to truly leverage the power of face-to-face experiences, organizers must leave behind the agenda-packed promise of traditional meetings and welcome a new recipe for success: Connecting in person must also involve an opportunity to disconnect from everything else. 

In this guide, brought to you by Skift Meetings and Arizona Office of Tourism, not only will you get an introduction to some of the destinations across the Grand Canyon State where your attendees will be awed by a reawakened sense of beauty and tranquility, but we will also highlight the critical factors in designing an experience that will send attendees home feeling refreshed and recharged with a renewed sense of optimism. These include innovative approaches to:

• Getting outside and becoming grounded in the present
• Programming outdoor wellness group activities
• Connecting to local heritage and culture
• Providing attendees with extended breaks from their screens

Eligible for CMP Credit

This report qualifies for 1 credit under the Strategic Planning category.