Beyond the Booths: Rethinking the Traditional Health Fair Model

The following article has been contributed by Maryam Sharifzadeh. Maryam is the Founder and CEO of ZaaS | Zen as a Service, a full-service workplace wellness provider supporting hundreds of global organizations nationwide.

For years, the corporate Health Fair has been a staple of workplace wellness programs—well-intentioned, but often uninspired. Rows of folding tables lined with branded stress balls, plastic pens, and pamphlets (or what we call SNOW, Stuff No One Wants), destined for the recycling bin. A nurse here, a chiropractor there, and maybe a smoothie sample if you're lucky. While the core idea—promoting employee health—is noble, the execution continues to fall flat.

Wellness extends beyond a one-day event or a table giveaway. A well-executed Health Fair requires a strategy that provides a dynamic, engaging, and thoughtful experience that reflects the needs of real employees. The approach we follow is similar in intent, but differs in execution, because today's workforce deserves more than token swag and outdated information.

Professional and Purposeful with Sustainable Swag

Let’s be honest, most of the plastic giveaways at traditional health fairs end up in the trash. Being conscientious about waste and avoiding single-use plastics is an easy way to stay aligned with company values and signal to your employees that you're taking action to mitigate environmental impact. Consider designing your events with sustainability in mind—from zero-waste goals to choosing partners that align with your values. 

Here are a few ways to clean up Health Fair giveaways:

• Event Landing Pages: Minimize paper waste and brochures by creating a Health Fair Event Page that spotlights all your activities, vendors, and carriers. The landing page can be used to promote speakers, activities, or challenges leading up to the event to build excitement. Imagine having all of your brochure information, paper handouts, and contacts in one digital platform. 
  
  
• A New Twist on Totes: What if tote bags are the new Letterman Jackets of Health Fairs? One of our clients encourages employees to bring their tote bags from the prior year and provides a patch for them to put on their bags. Each patch represents a different year, accumulating memories and status over time. 

Another client opted to buy 20 high-end bags instead of 200 low-quality bags. The first 20 people to arrive received a bag. The quality bags created buzz around the office and reduced the amount of SNOW while staying within the company’s budget. 

• From Paper to Plants: Imagine a sheet of seed paper you can put into soil, and it will eventually grow into basil. Seed paper is what it sounds like: paper with seeds in it. Our most thoughtful clients replace their computer paper with seed paper. The seed paper has a QR code that directs attendees to the Event Landing Page. Eventually, that seed paper turns into pesto for the family. 

Quality Over Quantity: Curated Vendors That Matter

Not every vendor should make the cut. We recommend carefully curating your partners to ensure they bring genuine value—not just marketing. Working with mission-driven organizations, local wellness providers, and experts who offer more than just brochures will make a meaningful difference in the overall quality of your event and the values employees take home. Unique ideas include:

• Pre-Cancer Screening: Cancer claims are among the most disruptive and expensive claims a company can face. In addition to biometric tests, consider pre-cancer screenings that detect early markers of cancer in the blood. The test is a simple blood draw that can be done during or around the time of the event. For remote employees or virtual events, blood draws are scheduled in advance. Pre-cancer screenings save lives and money, a win-win for everyone involved. 
  
  
• Vendors that Connect: Health Fair vendors should reflect what matters to employees. A recent client had primarily Mandarin-speaking employees and requested that we find vendors with Mandarin-speaking representatives. By inviting vendors with whom their employees could easily connect, our client ensured they got the most out of the event. 

Whether it's a mental health professional hosting a micro-session or a fitness expert teaching a movement you can do at your desk, each participant should be carefully chosen to inspire and inform based on the employees’ specific needs. 

• Raisin the Bar on Snacks: Although common at health fairs, sugary snacks send mixed signals and undermine the goal of promoting healthy habits. Having healthy food at a wellness fair reinforces the event’s message about wellness and making wise lifestyle choices. Offering nutritious plant-based options or whole-grain snacks encourages employees to try foods that support better health. A health fair is not a sporting event or county fair; it provides wholesome food choices that help educate people and set a positive example for how to eat well in everyday life.

Engagement is Everything

Memorable health fairs don’t support passive participation. Include wellness challenges and interactive experiences to educate and energize employees. From event landing pages that build anticipation to mindfulness scavenger hunts that prompt people to think on their feet, we turn awareness into action. These challenges aren’t just fun—they’re designed to spark lasting behavior change and deeper reflection on personal well-being. 

Here are a few examples to build engagement:

• Discovery Dash: Instead of the traditional passport card, where employees walk around to each table and get a stamp, the Discovery Dash includes prompted questions to ask each vendor and learn something new. Instead of walking up to your Dental provider and making small talk just to get your stamp, you can ask, “What are the early signs of dental issues I should be looking out for between visits?” Imagine employees seeking answers, not just stamps.  
  
  
• DIY Activities: What’s more memorable, coming home with a bunch of SNOW or a handcrafted air plant? A Do-It-Yourself table where employees can tap into their creative minds goes a long way. Our most popular, low-maintenance activity is the “Up in the Air” air plant station, a gift employees can bring home to their partners or kids. 
  
  
• Screen Time That Matters: One client displayed a series of pet photos called “Take a Moment and Paws.” People submit a photo of their furry family members in advance, and employees vote on their favorite ones.

A rolling slide of employee-chosen images brings immense joy at no cost. Ask employees to submit photos based on a theme of your choice– pets, weekend adventures, and cooking photos are always fun. Pictures can be displayed during the event for employees to vote on or simply reminisce and laugh. Include photos of previous Health Fairs to evoke positive memories and a sense of solidarity in the moment. 

The Result? A Health Fair That Actually Feels Healthy

Instead of slapping a “wellness” sticker on an old model, consider building peak experiences from beginning to end. Whether you minimize waste with an Event Landing Page or save an employee’s life with pre-cancer screenings, one change makes a big difference. Your Health Fair reflects the way you care for your employees, thoughtfully, intentionally, and with purpose.

Maryam Sharifzadeh is the Founder and CEO of ZaaS, a full-service workplace wellness provider supporting hundreds of global organizations nationwide. For more information regarding Health Fairs and Employee Well-Being solutions, feel free to connect with Maryam at maryam@zaas.com