Did you know that Glasgow takes its name from the Gaelic meaning ‘Dear Green Place’? At the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel, we are lucky enough to be located right on the banks of the River Clyde and are surrounded by plenty of green space. From our conference gardens which make great small meeting or breakout spaces, outdoor patio area – perfect for al fresco dining – or the various walking routes exploring the local scenery, we have lots of opportunities to include a taste of the great outdoors as part of your conference or event.
There are lots of benefits to spending time outside that can improve the productivity of a meeting and create a memorable experience for attendees. At this current time of social distancing, an outdoor element to your event will allow delegates to spread out safely and meet in a healthy environment.
By simply offering a change of scenery, delegates are likely to feel reinvigorated and more focussed. Taking in the fresh air will allow participants to clear their heads, gather their thoughts and even be more creative surrounded by nature.
The health benefits to delegates are huge. Fresh air helps our immune systems to become stronger, which is more important now than ever, and also generates feel good endorphins. Stepping outside instantly makes us feel happier and more energised. Why not build on this by including a walk and talk element to your event? This is a fantastic way to encourage discussion and networking in pairs or small groups whilst fitting in the all-important daily step count. There are several different walking routes from the hotel, including a stroll along the Clyde Canal Path. For larger groups, team building activities can be arranged within our grounds, speak to our team for more details.
Mindfulness is a hot topic at the moment, and what better way to facilitate this than by allowing your delegates to relax and collect their thoughts close to nature? Our Centre for Health and Wellbeing Team are available to run Wellness Sessions or Yoga Classes in the tranquillity of our riverside surroundings. By being outside and taking the time to connect with their surroundings, delegates are more likely to take a fresh perspective and come up with new ideas.
Being outdoors allows us to get back to basics and leave technology inside the meeting room. Encourage delegates to leave their devices indoors and remove any distraction from mobile phones to allow them to be more engaged in an outdoors meeting. Senses are heightened outside, meaning attendees are more likely to remain focused in an outdoor space, especially if they are able to move around. This all helps to counter the afternoon slump that we have all experienced after hours of sitting inside.
While we recognise that some meetings will have a need for some sort of technology and may require use of an indoors meeting room. Delegates can still take advantage of our external space during break times. Speak to us about using our conference gardens or patio as a networking area or as a space to serve coffee or lunch. By including a short break outside and a change of scene, delegates will return to the next session refreshed and ready to go.
Whether you’re planning a day of team building activities, a walking meeting to get creative thoughts flowing or simply want to get outside and enjoy a cup of coffee in the sunshine, the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel has plenty of options to breathe some fresh air into your next event. Contact us on 0141 951 6003 or at conferences@goldenjubilee.scot.nhs.uk for more details.
