Nestled in the serene luxury of the Four Seasons Orlando, last month we hosted the 2024 Corporate Wellness Institute. The program was a vibrant celebration of connection, learning, and innovation under the theme, Championing Wellness: Fueling Business Success through Health and Engagement for a Thriving Workforce of Tomorrow. Over the course of an inspiring day, attendees left with fresh insights, new relationships, and a renewed passion for creating thriving workplaces.

A Day of Insights

The Institute opened with an inspiring keynote panel, Reimagining Wellness and Culture in 2024, led by Chief Human Resources Officers from large organizations like Oak Street Health, Fidelity National Financial, and Brooks Rehabilitation. The session emphasized crafting people-centric missions, cultivating belonging, and leveraging wellness as a competitive edge. The audience buzzed with questions and shared experiences, with one attendee reflecting, "Hearing actionable strategies from leaders who truly understand the pulse of workplace culture was invaluable. I walked away inspired and equipped to dive into the rest of the conference."

One of the most talked-about sessions was the fireside chat, Fostering Wellbeing: A Case Study – The Coca-Cola Company’s Five-Year Roadmap. Aaron Lavery, Global Well-being Director at The Coca-Cola Company, shared how the organization transformed its approach to employee well-being starting in 2021. Attendees were captivated by Lavery’s insights into the development and execution of a comprehensive plan that redefined engagement practices and benefits offerings for their global workforce, as he shared where they are at in the roadmap, and where they plan to take it. A participant shared, "This case study was a game-changer. Learning how a such a largescale, global leader navigated such a transformative journey gave me some inspiration to take back to my organization."

Momentum continued throughout the afternoon with dynamic discussions, such as Conor Sweeney’s exploration of human-centered HR practices and a vibrant Wellness Workshop. The workshop covered topics ranging from family-forming benefits to upskilling strategies. Smaller, interactive roundtables delved into innovative approaches to hiring neurodiverse talent, reducing stigma, and integrating DEIB initiatives. Attendees also explored the role of social health in fostering workplace wellness.

A Setting to Remember

The Four Seasons Orlando provided the perfect backdrop for yet another successful event. Attendees enjoyed breathtaking views, immaculate conference spaces, and exceptional hospitality. "You could feel the white glove customer service—this venue elevated the entire experience," noted one guest. The poolside Cocktail Reception and Dinner was a particular highlight, featuring stations like a sushi bar, friendship bracelet crafting, and even a fortune teller. The relaxed ambiance encouraged deeper conversations even sparked some friendships, as one attendee shared, “Leaving the conference on Tuesday felt like I was leaving new friends behind – I actually felt sad to leave the connections I had made. And that’s a wonderful feeling. Most of the time at conferences we are just shuffling from room to room (and sometimes mentally exhausted at the end of the day) – but this was incredible.”  

…And that’s what IPMI events are all about; the power of networking was palpable throughout the day. The structured business meetings fostered meaningful partnerships, while the social elements encouraged organic collaboration. One HR leader shared, "I’ve built relationships here that I know will shape my team’s go-forward strategy. This community, so passionate, is such a treat to be part of." Another attendee added, "The cocktail reception wasn’t just fun—it was where I got to unpack the tidbits I’d heard throughout the day!"  

Reflecting on Success

The Corporate Wellness Institute stands out as a truly special program because it brings together HR leaders who share a deep passion for employee well-being. These are the professionals driven to uncover innovative ways to navigate the critical intersections of health, engagement, and business success. Through a day filled with impactful knowledge-sharing, meaningful connections, and exceptional hospitality, the event once again showed that investing in wellness goes far beyond offering perks and benefits—it’s about reshaping workplaces to thrive in the future.

As attendees departed, many left glowing reviews:

• “This was my first conference that included meeting with vendors 1 on 1.  They did not feel salesy.  I did not feel rushed to say yes to anything, they did a great job with the delivery of the information and reason for added value to my org. I’m looking forward to my upcoming meetings with some of my potential partners. THANK YOU so much IPMI!!”

• “This wasn’t just a conference; it felt like an immersive retreat. Loved it.”

• “The Four Seasons location was the cherry on top of an already well-run event.”

• “The vendor groups I met with all seemed to really listen to what I had to say and had researched me prior, which helped the discussions be so productive, but without any sales expectations.”

If you’re interested in joining as a member of the Speaker Faculty, a Sponsoring Partner, or a participating attendee, don’t hesitate to reach out to Senior Producer Jennifer Holmes at jholmes@ipmievents.com.