How to transform meetings into mindful practices?

From mindfulness practices to innovative sustainability initiatives, Hyatt’s approach – winner of Best Meetings Hotel Chain at the 2024 M&C Asia Stella Awards – redefines 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 creates 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?

Well-being is the ultimate realization of our purpose – caring for people so they can be their best. This means you can seamlessly integrate wellbeing experiences into event plans and planning services, from energizing workout breaks to sustainable menus. This is also reflected in our Wellbeing Collective of meeting and event properties, with unique wellness activities we offer such as guided meditation with a local Thai monk at Hyatt Regency Hua Hin.

We’ve also worked with Headspace for meditation and Masterclass for inspirational content, and developed a mindful meeting guide with author Juliet Funt to make business meetings more meaningful. In Asia Pacific, our Sleep@ Hyatt program in Australia and New Zealand also offers guided meditation, sleep mask for dreamers and sleep care kits for better sleep.

Our feel-good approach also extends to the F&B offering. Guided by the principle of “sourced with care, served with care,” we offer menus with plant-based and sustainable ingredients while striving to reduce food waste. For example, Hyatt Regency Sydney introduced Goterra’s sustainable food waste management system, which uses insects and robots to convert food waste into proteins and fertilizers.

What does Hyatt focus on when working with event planners to ensure smooth and successful events?

Our “Together by Hyatt” philosophy guides the way we curate experiences and deliver more connected meetings and events. It includes four pillars, including dedicated event support from professionals, technology tools for greater efficiency, incorporating sustainability, and integrating wellness to make events more intentional. Our Event Experience Guide also helps planners visualize the spaces, food and other amenities and services they will gain access to by hosting with Hyatt, while our Sustainability Fact Sheets help planners better assess the environmental footprint of their events.

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

We continually improve and expand our portfolio to meet the changing expectations of our travelers and thus make the MICE business even more attractive. This includes the recent acquisition of Standard International, an iconic hospitality lifestyle brand with multiple hotels across Asia Pacific, with further openings planned later this year. We have also invested in the renovation of Grand Hyatt Singapore to put 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 “Breakthrough Stars: Celebrating Asia’s Best MICE Winners” Special feature. Click here to read more from this issue.