The goal of your conference is not just a full room and a smooth agenda, but to create engagement, output and impact. The good news is that an early-morning activity for delegates can help you support all three, without any disruption to your regular agenda.
Here are three research-backed reasons to include movement in your next conference.
STRONGER WORKSHOP OUTPUT
Creative output has been shown to increase by around 60% with walking. In one experiment, participants produced 33.1 ideas while walking compared with 22.2 while sitting.
This matters when the programme includes sessions where ideas are the output.
BETTER DISCUSSIONS
Movement is especially useful for divergent thinking. One study found that 81% of participants improved on a creative-thinking task, compared with 23% on a single-answer task.
That is relevant before sessions where delegates need to explore possibilities, challenge assumptions and contribute actively.
MORE VALUE FROM THE PROGRAMME
A 2023 study found that 15 minutes of physical activity improved originality and cognitive flexibility.
For conferences, this is important because it does not require a complicated format. A short, well-organised run or brisk walk can support the rest of the day.
In May 2026, we hosted a morning guided walk at IMEX Frankfurt in collaboration with the event team. At 7am, delegates learned about Frankfurt’s rich history, saw the city’s main sights and hidden gems, and knew where to enjoy the city’s best coffee before sessions started.
You can check it out here.
At Go! Running Tours, we offer running and brisk walking tours in more than 80 cities worldwide. We provide local guides, different pace groups and routes planned around the conference location.
So the question is no longer whether you should include wellbeing activities. The question is: how do you get delegates to sign up?
To add exercise to your next event, just fill out the form here.
