How to transform meetings into mindful practices?

From mindfulness practices to innovative sustainability initiatives, Hyatt – the winner of the Best Meetings Hotel Chain in M&C Asia Stella Awards 2024 – approach reimagines events as opportunities to inspire, connect, and rejuvenate.

In this Q&A interview with M&C Asia, Kate Atkinson, Vice President of Global Sales, Hyatt Sales Force, Asia Pacific, shares insights into how Hyatt is creating purposeful and meaningful MICE experiences while setting new standards for well-being in the industry.

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How has Hyatt integrated wellness and well-being into your MICE offerings?

Wellbeing is the ultimate realisation of our purpose – caring for people so that they can be their best. That means weaving wellbeing experiences seamlessly into event agendas and planning services, from energising exercise breaks to sustainable menus. This is also expressed through our Wellbeing Collective of Meetings and Event properties, with unique wellbeing activities that we offer such as guided meditation with a local Thai monk at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin.

We’ve also partnered with Headspace for meditation, Masterclass for inspiring content, and developed a Mindful Meetings guide with author Juliet Funt to make business gatherings more meaningful. In Asia Pacific, our Sleep@ Hyatt programme in Australia and New Zealand also provides guided meditation, dreamers sleep eyewear and sleep amenity kits for a better night’s slumber.

Our well-being approach extends to F&B offerings as well. Guided by the principle “thoughtfully sourced, carefully served”, we offer plant forward and sustainably sourced menus alongside efforts to reduce food waste. For example, Hyatt Regency Sydney introduced Goterra’s sustainable food waste management system that uses insects and robotics to convert food waste into protein and fertiliser.

What does Hyatt focus on when collaborating with event planners to ensure seamless and successful events?

Our philosophy, Together by Hyatt, guides the way we curate experiences and deliver more connected meetings and events, encompassing four pillars including dedicated event support from professionals, technology tools to offer greater efficiency, incorporating sustainability, and integrating wellbeing to make events feel more intentional. Our Event Experience Guide also helps planners visualise the spaces, food, and other amenities and services they gain access to by hosting at Hyatt, while our sustainability factsheets help planners to better assess the environmental footprint of their events.

What new offerings does Hyatt have planned for 2025 to attract more MICE business?

We’re continually enhancing and expanding our portfolio to address the changing expectations of our travellers, enabling us to further attract MICE business. This includes the recent acquisition of Standard International, an iconic hospitality lifestyle brand with several hotels in Asia Pacific, with more opening later this year. We’ve also invested in the renovation of Grand Hyatt Singapore to integrate wellbeing at the core of its offering, and are introducing new wellbeing concepts such as Alila Shanghai, the brand’s first hotel in an urban setting.

This article first appeared in the October-December 2024 issue of M&C Asia as part of the “Trailblazing stars: In celebration of Asia’s top MICE winners” feature. Click here to read more from this issue.