5 Ways to Create an Unforgettable Wellness Retreat from an Orlando Nutrition Speaker!

As a registered dietitian and wellness speaker in Orlando, Florida, I want to share my top tips to help bring any wellness event to life!

Hi, I’m Kait- Registered dietitian, wellness speaker, and author in Orlando, Florida.

Living here for almost 10 years, it’s been amazing to witness how the wellness community in Orlando has truly flourished! More and more, groups of women and wellness-driven individuals have gathered together to create strong connections, friendship, and lasting impact.

In the past few years, I’ve been a nutrition speaker for quite a few wellness retreats and fitness groups including F-45 Downtown Orlando, Anytime Fitness, Camp Gladiator, Young Professionals of Orlando, A Tribe Called Venus, Mount Dora’s Women’s Club, Women in Power Wellness Retreat, and Bold University.

My experience speaking and attending many wellness events and wellness retreats has give me clarity on what people want (and what they DO want!)

If you’re organizing a wellness event or retreat for a group moms, corporate professionals, or health enthusiasts, I have 5 tips to make your event unforgettable!

Tip #1: Hire Compassionate Guest Speakers that Bring the Energy!

Whether you’re hiring a personal trainer, physician, mental health therapist, or registered dietitian to speak, it’s important to emphasis you want their talk to be engaging, motivational, or inspirational.

Too many times, professionals get caught in the “expert trap.” This means they’re solely focused on providing information, not providing a motivational talk that inspires action! Booorrring!!

While providing credible information from an expert is important, your audience wants more than just a lecture- they want relatable stories, inspiration, transformation, and entertainment! Emphasizing this in your selection process ensure your bring in the right fit.

It’s also important to seek out warm, compassionate speakers who understand the struggles of your audience. This means a 25 year old body building dude who sells encourages intermittent fasting and intense workouts may not be the right fit for a women’s club of 55+ year old women. Ask your speakers lots of questions to vet their credibility and willingness to customize their presentation to your audience.

Smaller groups also may want to feel part of the conversation. Requesting an engaging wellness or nutrition workshop from your speaker encourages collaboration and communication among attendees.

Bonus tip: offer a survey to your attendees before the event to better understand which specific topics they want to hear about. I requested a local pilates studio do this for me, and we discovered the women really wanted a nutrition workshop centered around holistic health and hormone balancing. Not only did it help me customize the talk to their needs, but it gave the audience a unique experience they couldn’t find elsewhere.

Speaking at Bold University’s Wellness Retreat in Winter Park, Florida. I was 12 months pregnant her- I was tired but still brought the energy!

Tip #2: Free Food and Drink!

Nothing gets attendees in the door like free food! At the Bold University event I did, a representative from Just Salad in Winter Park brought in nutritious entrees for us to choose from! Just make sure to offer a vegetarian or vegan options for the plant-based eaters.

If it’s not in your budget to provide entire meals, healthy snacks and drinks work great! I’ve provided smoothie samples and build-your-own healthy trail mix bars at several events, and they’re always a hit! Other ideas include herbal teas, kombucha, and electrolyte drinks.

Hint: it helps to send a survey out ahead of time and ask for any dietary restrictions or allergies. If someone is gluten-free, dairy-free, or allergic to any foods, they’ll appreciate your attention. You can bring a special alternative for them so they don’t feel left out!

Tip #3: Give Out Goodies!

Who doesn’t want to leave an event with free swag! As a registered dietitian, I’ve offered copies of my book How to Eat Like a Normal Person, healthy snacks and protein drinks, collegen supplements, herbel teas, free or discounted nutrition coaching offers, and food coupons.

I personally love getting a goodie I’ll actually use! At a networking event, the keynote speaker was Suneeri Madhani, founder of The CEO School. She was generous enough to send us home with free planners designed to help us plan our business goals, and it was awesome! Bringing in a guest who offers these products can help you save money, as you can offer to pay him or her the cost of her goods in exchange for free advertising.

Other ideas I’ve seen include wellness journals, clean beauty samples, branded water bottles, coupons for IV clinics, yoga blocks, electrolyte packets, essential oils, and healthy snack samples.

Tip #4: Get Moving!

What’s a wellness workshop without a little exercise?!

The best events I’ve attended included an instructor leading the group in an activity suitable for all levels of fitness. I once attended an wellness event led by a nurse practitioner who also happened to be a Caribbean dance instructor, and she taught us how to wine. I looked ridiculous but it was SO fun, and really helped everyone get comfortable with each other before the following events.

Yoga, salsa, mat pilates, and aerobics are also fun. If you’re unable to book a certified instructor, doing a walk and talk event at a local trail is an low cost option that everyone enjoys! I suggest offering water bottles to keep guests hydrated and well.

Tip #5: Offer Ongoing Support!

It’s easy to feel inspired the hours following a wellness event, but what about when real life creeps back in and your guests forget how awesome they felt?

That’s where you can really add value- encourage your guests to subscribe to a motivating newsletter, follow you on socials, or RSVP to your next event on the spot.

The tops ways I offer support to audiences is my giving out copies of my book, raffling off free nutrition consults with a registered dietitian, and giving out handouts or workbooks stuffed with healthy snack and recipe ideas. I’ve also had a Q&A box, allowing guests to leave their #1 nutrition questions with their contact info. After the event, I email them with a detailed response to their question. Feels pretty VIP!

Considering a Registered Dietitian Speaker?

Whether you’re hosting a corporate wellness retreat, a yoga and mindfulness getaway, or a wellness reset for busy women the right nutrition speaker ensures our attendees feel energized and empowered!

I’d be honored to be a part of your vision. I’m a professional wellness speaker who will collaborate with you and make nutrition realistic, simple, and FUN! To see if we’re the right fit, contact me and tell me all about your event!