A workplace health fair is a great way to show that you are committed to your employees’ health and wellbeing. This event is one where you can offer information, host screenings, present engaging activities and more — all in one day, all in one place. 

Since health fairs help attendees become aware of health issues and provide the tools to manage them, employees often make positive changes afterwards.¹

Tips to Help You Plan a Successful Health Fair

Health fairs can be small, or they can be large and complex. If this is your first one, you may want to keep it simple. You can still have a worthwhile event that makes a healthy difference to your employees. Here are a few tips to get you started.

• Create a committee. Put together a group of volunteers who can help each other stay on task, organize efficiently and execute the plan.
• Decide on a date. Make sure there are no conflicting company events or holidays. You will want to pick times for the event that allow as many employees as possible to attend. Choose a timespan that allows attendees to visit during extended breaks or lunch. Three to four hours is a good range, such as 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Specify a space. Choose a conference room, cafeteria or another area that is large enough for each representative to have a table or booth, and for attendees to move around freely. 
• Reach out to resources. Far in advance of the date, contact the vendors or organizations you want at the fair. Where applicable, ask each representative to bring materials to distribute and that you can make available to workers who can’t attend. 
• Incentivize for interest. Plan activities that will inspire employees to attend. These include incentives like free massages, raffles, flu shots, food or a charity drive. Also ask vendors to have drawings, prizes and freebies if they can. 
• Engage and excite. Think about all the tools you have at your disposal to get the word out — and use as many as possible. Emails, posters and company website announcements are just a few ways you can build attendance. Send announcements out in phases, such as a “save the date” several weeks before, then more often as the event draws near. 

Planning makes perfect when it comes to health fairs. Create an event to motivate your employees to make healthy changes and let them know you are committed to a culture of wellness in the workplace.

_{¹"Promoting Wellness for People in Mental Health Recovery." Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. 2014. Accessed September 12, 2018.}