Organizers have a lot to consider when planning and executing their events. One of the most important considerations is ensuring that everyone attending an event will stay hydrated. Hydration affects both safety and comfort.
Whether an event is hosted in the winter or summer, indoors or outdoors, or includes physical activity or time spent stationary, offering convenient access to water by using water stations is one of the best solutions for keeping everyone hydrated.
If you’re hosting an event and need to ensure attendees stay hydrated, here’s what you should know.
Importance of Hydration at Events
First and foremost, event planners need to understand the importance of staying hydrated during an event. Before considering your various strategies for keeping everyone hydrated, make sure you know why they should be hydrated.
Dehydration might not seem like a big deal, but it can make time spent at an event uncomfortable and unsafe. Symptoms of dehydration range from mild to severe. Most people who don’t drink enough water experience at least a few symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, and dizziness.
Dehydration also leads to a decline in mental and physical performance, which can affect event participation. The risk of dehydration is also high at an event, especially if it’s held outdoors in warm or humid weather and if event attendees are active or drinking alcohol.
Hydration Strategies
Once event attendees understand why keeping attendees hydrated is important, they can create strategies for preventing dehydration. One of the best options available is using water stations.
Water stations can be strategically placed throughout an event venue to make hydrating as easy and convenient as possible. When planning for the placement of stations, make sure you consider the following:
- Event layout
- Flow of people
- Size of venue
- Activities of attendees at the event
What Are Some of the Best Locations for Hydration Stations at an Event?
You can place a portable water station just about anywhere at an event, but some locations will likely be better than others. For instance, people are more likely to consume enough water if you place hydration stations near:
High-Traffic Areas
This includes entry and exit points, seating areas near stages or presentation areas, and restrooms.
Break Areas
This is where people tend to hang out, refuel, and gather. People will socialize and decompress during an event in these areas, so they are a great place for water stations. Most people use these areas to regroup before moving on to the next presentation or performance, meaning they’ll have a few seconds to evaluate their physical needs and refuel before moving on.
Shaded and Weather-Protected Areas
If you’re hosting an outdoor event, consider the elements when positioning your water stations. Choose areas that are shaded or near cooling tents so people can take a break from the hot sun, rain, or other elements when refilling their water bottles.
Tips for Boosting Water Consumption at Events
There are several things event organizers can do to make people more likely to drink water throughout their attendance at an event. For example:
Make Water Stations Easily Accessible
Although putting them in out-of-the-way areas might be tempting so they don’t interfere with traffic flow, this makes people less likely to drink. It’s an out-of-sight-out-of-mind situation. You’re better off putting water stations “in the way” so people are reminded to drink. Also, make sure people have a way to drink the available water by providing refillable bottles or cups or encouraging people to bring refillable bottles from home.
Label Water Stations
It’s important to ensure everyone knows how to get water when attending an event. Use bold, simple signs announcing access to water and place these signs in multiple locations throughout the event. How you alert people to their access to water might vary based on the type of event you’re hosting, but all organizers need to consider how they’ll inform attendees, regardless of the event.
Promote Hydration
Additionally, do your best to promote hydration and remind people to drink throughout the event. It might even be a good idea to offer incentives for staying hydrated or give people a way to track their water consumption throughout the event.
Keeping attendees hydrated is an essential part of planning a successful event. If you’d like to know more about how portable water stations can help you with this, book a quick call.