Well-being Tops Sustainability as the Leading Priority for Event Planners, Says YourVenue Report

The corporate events landscape is shifting with well-being taking precedence over sustainability as the top priority for organisers. A new report from YourVenue, which represents 16 racecourses across the UK under Arena Racing Company (ARC), highlights a growing demand for experiences that support both mental and physical health. Today’s delegates are increasingly drawn to venues that offer outdoor spaces, fresh air, and immersive activities designed to enhance overall well-being.

“Well-being is definitely the bigger trend right now – more so than sustainability,” said Angela Colley‑Francis, National Account Manager at ARC. “While sustainability is still important, event organisers are prioritising experiences that focus on mindfulness, outdoor activities, and meaningful engagement.

“Employers recognise that their teams are facing challenges, so they want to go beyond the conventional conference setting. Something as simple as incorporating a walk outside can make a significant impact. It’s about making events more personal, not just about ticking the usual boxes.”

In response to this shift to support delegate well-being, YourVenue is launching The Step Into Summer Day Delegate Package in April to help event planners integrate well-being and outdoor activities into their meetings.

These initiatives aim to enhance delegate well-being by encouraging outdoor experiences, fostering connections with nature, and exploring the rich heritage and history of each racecourse. As part of this initiative, each racecourse has developed measured walking routes, allowing guests to engage in active experiences while discovering the venue’s Grandstand Building, historic track, and key landmarks.

The YourVenue report also revealed a significant rise in experience-driven events and “bleisure”, where business meetings incorporate leisure elements to create a more engaging delegate experience.

Clare Marsden, Regional Event Sales Manager at ARC, added: “We are ideally positioned to meet this shift in demand at YourVenue with the combination of our rich heritage and vast outdoor spaces with reliable wet weather facilities. We also offer unique team-building experiences, such as an exhilarating race day, which can seamlessly complement a business meeting or conference, adding an extra layer of engagement and excitement.”

Julie Coates-Walker, Group Head of Sales at ARC, commented: “The UK events industry is shifting toward well-being-first experiences. That’s why we’re committed to offering event planners not just high-quality facilities, but also opportunities to enrich delegate well-being. Whether it’s through outdoor activities, unique venue settings, or tailored well-being packages, we’re focused on delivering events that leave a lasting positive impact.”

For more information on booking events with YourVenue, contact us at yourvenue@arenaracingcompany.co.uk.