Attending a health fair is like sampling a huge buffet. You can fill your tote bag with giveaways, get a free chair massage or have a chiropractor evaluate your back health. Health fairs provide a terrific opportunity to interact with health and medical professionals in a central location. The fairs are a "win win" for everyone. Attendees are introduced to new products, services and practitioners. Exhibitors get exposure to a large audience with a demonstrated focus on wellness. Finally, the sponsoring organization gains community credibility through a well-executed event.
Instructions
Start with Planning Committee
1. Choose a planning committee. The Health Fair Planning Guide from the Family and Consumer Sciences group at Texas A&M University (see References 1) recommends an overall event chair or two co-chairs. The planning committee should also include several other members, each with oversight for a functional subcommittee. Each subcommittee handles a single aspect of the event (i.e. food, exhibitors, etc.).
2. Decide on the health fair theme. (1) General interest fairs offer a variety of health information for the entire community; (2) Targeted fairs reach a specific audience, such as women, older adults or families with children; (3) Topical fairs focus on one theme, such as weight loss, and feature specialized exhibitors; (4) Medical screening fairs offer many types of screening under one roof. Finally, according to health fair coordination firm Health Fairs Direct, corporate wellness events are becoming increasingly popular as companies realize the benefits of helping employees stay healthy (See References 2).
3. Choose the health fair location. For a general interest fair, select a central location accessible to attendees from different geographic areas. For health fairs scheduled by a hospital or college, for example, the location will be predetermined.
4. Choose activity-based exhibitors. According to the Family and Consumer Sciences service group at Texas A&M, practitioners who promote an activity at their booths inspire the most learning (See References 3). For example, a massage therapist with a seated massage chair will draw more attention than a colleague who provides only a table of handouts and business cards.
5. Market the health fair. Distribute news releases and flyers to local media and your exhibitors' offices. Ask for television coverage of specialty demonstrations that highlight the fair's theme. These events often provide great "time fillers" for the station.
For targeted populations, focus on media and locations that reach those individuals. For example, a weight loss health fair could be promoted at health clubs, weight loss centers and in weight management magazines. A family health fair could be promoted at day care centers, pediatricians' offices and sports centers. For any type of health fair, remember to allow plenty of "lead time" for thorough promotion of the event.
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