Health Fair Tips: The Top 10 List

These health fair tips are designed to assist you in your efforts to plan a successful health fair.

Health Fair Tip #1

Start small. Rather than trying to create a large health fair the first year, begin small. For example, in the 1st plan a wellness seminar for the office. Plan a larger wellness seminar for the next year that's available to a larger group of people. If that's successful, then you may open it to the community in the third year. Be sure to network each year, and learn from others so that you can gradually expand your health fair.

Health Fair Tip #2

Plan early. The earlier you start planning a health fair, the more likely you will be to get the speakers you want, the resources you need, as well as the time to plan a health fair that runs smoothly. Getting approvals, legal requirements (see Health Fairs and HIPAA), insurance, health fair speakers, health fair resources, and good locations often takes much longer than expected.

Health Fair Tip #3

Form a health fair planning committee. You may want to do this one year in advance for large events and three to six months in advance for smaller health fairs. Determine specific responsibilities and timelines as early as possible, and be certain to put them in writing.

Health Fair Tip #4

Find a health fair location that's convenient for participants. Take into account, the locations accessibility, temperatures, seating, and the proximity to food and bathrooms.

Health Fair Tip #5

Talk with others to find good health fair speakers. You'll be amazed at how many people know dynamic, knowledgeable health fair speakers. Network with your friends, your colleagues, and with outside organizations.

Health Fair Tip #6

Give health fair participants an opportunity to network. This can be accomplished in many ways, including question-and-answer sessions, through roundtable discussions, by providing interactive activities, by displaying exhibits, by hosting a luncheon, or by providing refreshment breaks. Have nametags available and/or provide participant lists for people to take with them if this is appropriate.

Health Fair Tip #7

Distribute health fair materials. Consider having seminar outlines, printed materials, a website, and other health fair resources on a table for participants to learn more about the various issues discussed. Be sure to have written permission from health fair speakers before distributing their materials.

Health Fair Tip #8

Include health fair activities to reinforce the health information. Consider hosting a walk, a cooking demonstration, some healthy snacks, a workshop, or other health fair activity.

Health Fair Tip #9

Ensure that the health fair information is current and accurate. Publications to distribute at your event can be found on this website along with other Health Fair Ideas.

Health Fair Tip #10

Evaluate your health fair. Develop a short health fair evaluation form, make plenty of copies, and encourage people to fill out the form and return it in after the health fair. Lessons learned at your health fair are an invaluable resources when planning your next health fair.