Giving delegates a new perspective on wellbeing

In a time where wellness rhetoric is at its peak, should it have a place on the conference agenda? Keynote speaker, Jehan Casinader, a survivor of depression and suicidality, talks about putting wellbeing at the heart of your conference experience. 

Jehan Casinader, keynote speaker at a business conference gives a presentation on wellbeing in the workplace.

Move beyond awareness

During the pandemic, staff wellbeing was the priority for most businesses. Inevitably, a kind of ‘wellbeing fatigue’ set in.

“Haven’t we heard it all before?” you might ask. “Do we still need to put wellbeing on our conference agenda?” Yes – but in a more sophisticated way.

In 2024, we don’t need mental health ‘awareness’. Most professionals are well aware of New Zealand’s high rates of mental distress. They’ve heard many presentations about the importance of self-care — and asking for help.

Now, audiences want new insights on topics ranging from financial wellbeing to the science of sleep. Identify the biggest barriers to your audience’s wellbeing, and shine a spotlight on those areas.

Get practical – and specific 

As a speaker, I have a four-word motto for live events: “It’s all about Monday.”

It’s easy for a delegate to feel inspired when they’re sitting in a conference on Friday afternoon. But when they’re back at their desk on Monday morning — facing an avalanche of emails — what will they remember?

The mark of a successful wellbeing session is that attendees leave with practical nuggets they can instantly apply in daily life.

For example, my most popular keynote this year, “Tell Me The Good News”, is about how we can reframe negative information. It’s a topic that’s highly relevant in the current economic climate.

When selecting wellbeing speakers, ask yourself: “Will this session add value? How will our attendees apply this content?”

Jehan Casinader, keynote speaker at a business conference stand behind a podium. The projector screen behind him reads 'Thriving People, Thriving Industry Construction and Infrastructure Workforce Development Summit.

Rethink the delegate experience

For some attendees, being stuck in a dark conference room for two or three days may be detrimental to their wellbeing.

As an MC, I’m privileged to work with event organisers who want to give their audiences energy — not deplete it.

Instead of a one-hour keynote, how about a live interview on stage, driven by real-time questions from the audience? Could a panel discussion help us to avoid ‘death by PowerPoint’?

There’ll be a long line for the buffet — do we need to give more time for meal breaks and networking? We love to see bowls of lollies on the tables, but can we offer alternatives that help to avoid a mid-afternoon slump?

Small changes add up and help to maximise audience engagement and attention.

Learn more about Jehan Casinader’s speaking

Looking for more?

A speaker addressing an audience at Harcourts Conference at the TSB Arena in Wellington.

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Person on stage speaking into a podium microphone out to many people in the background seated at tables. Dim mood lighting surrounds the area with spotlight on the speaker.

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