{"id":6703,"date":"2020-03-10T21:50:14","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T21:50:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-alliance-virtual-office-blog.pantheonsite.io\/?p=6703"},"modified":"2025-04-02T06:07:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T10:07:53","slug":"outdoor-meeting-spaces-how-the-nature-of-meetings-is-changing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/outdoor-meeting-spaces-how-the-nature-of-meetings-is-changing\/","title":{"rendered":"Outdoor Meeting Spaces: How The Nature of Meetings is Changing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although meetings were traditionally reserved for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/meeting-room-locations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">conference room<\/a>, and still are to an extent, there\u2019s a rising demand for flexible outdoor meetings that promote wellbeing and increase engagement without distracting people from the task at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Breaking routines \u2013 like where and when you conduct meetings \u2013 can help spark new ideas and get people thinking outside the box.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When new methods and environments are used to convey information, our brains are more receptive and we\u2019re more likely to tackle things creatively.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this video, business innovator Nilofer Merchant talks about how an outdoor meeting with a client inspired her to make a positive change.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-ted wp-block-embed-ted wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Nilofer Merchant: Got a meeting? Take a walk\" src=\"https:\/\/embed.ted.com\/talks\/nilofer_merchant_got_a_meeting_take_a_walk\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s take a look at some of the benefits outdoor meetings can bring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Improved communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Truth be told, people often feel more relaxed outdoors in nature than within the confines of a corporate office building.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Participants are more likely to contribute ideas and express themselves in a more authentic way.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Holding meetings outside helps dismantle the often restrictive employer-employee barrier and facilitates better communication within teams.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Fewer distractions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In an office-based meeting, participants are more likely to be distracted by technology \u2013 checking emails, scrolling through social media&#8230;you know the deal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are less likely to do this and are more likely to stay engaged for longer periods in an outdoor context where they can\u2019t sneak a peek at their phone under the desk.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>University of Michigan <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/news.umich.edu\/going-outsideeven-in-the-coldimproves-memory-attention\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><em>research<\/em><\/a><em> shows that being outside improves memory and attention.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It might seem counterintuitive, but outdoor meetings in public places also have fewer interruptions and you don\u2019t have to worry about overrunning into another business\u2019 booked time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You\u2019ll probably find that you\u2019re more productive outside than in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. More energy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We\u2019ve all experienced the post-lunch work slump.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It usually happens at around 2 o\u2019clock and no amount of coffee can alleviate it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What better way to tackle it than with a restorative meeting in an open space.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A change of scenery can help wake people up by getting the endorphins flowing, thus enabling them to refocus better.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em>According to a <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/news\/show.php?id=3639\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><em>series of studies<\/em><\/a><em> in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, spending time in nature leads to increased vitality.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Healthier lifestyle<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Around 8-in-10 office workers spend four to nine hours a day sitting at their desks; the equivalent of about 67 sedentary days per worker annually.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.personneltoday.com\/hr\/staff-spend-67-sedentary-working-days\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">one study<\/a>, 26% of those polled said it had a negative impact on their productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Being sedentary at work can lead to a number of health conditions, both mental and physical (including chronic illnesses).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Helping employees integrate exercise into their working day by travelling on foot to a local outdoor meeting space can only be a good thing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Larger capacity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some workspaces simply aren\u2019t able to accommodate large teams for events or conferences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They may only have a couple of meeting rooms for, say, four or six people.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Outdoor venues are often seen as an attractive solution because they provide lots of space for people to move about freely within.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>6. More enjoyable<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Getting out and about can work wonders for team morale, especially if everyone\u2019s been cooped up in the office all week working on a big project.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Enabling people to work together outdoors can help people recuperate and come back stronger than ever.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Spending 20 minutes in an outdoor space such as a park is enough to improve an individuals well-being, according <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/09603123.2019.1577368?journalCode=cije20&amp;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><em>research<\/em><\/a><em> published in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>7. Removes tension<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meetings outside can feel more informal than those held in a corporate conference room, which can be a positive thing on many levels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Firstly, it makes for a more relaxed atmosphere so people feel more at ease contributing and interacting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Why not go the extra mile and combine your next outdoor meeting with a picnic (weather permitting), and allow your employees to dress casually?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Things to consider when planning an outdoor meeting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If there\u2019s only going to be a few of you and the meeting can be conducted tech-free, you don\u2019t really have much to think about.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If this isn\u2019t the case, there are a number of things to consider \u2013 but the following three should definitely feature in your planning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Audiovisual<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For meetings requiring a lot of audiovisual equipment, it might be worth staying indoors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consider the extra costs and time involved in setting up projection screens, microphones and laptops.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also keep in mind that it can be difficult, or in some instances impossible to control lighting and ambient noise.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Backup plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have an alternative venue in case, for instance, the weather turns bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make a note of local hotels, cafes and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/what-is-coworking-space\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">coworking spaces<\/a> that might be able to accommodate you on the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Expect the unexpected<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you intend on hosting your outdoor meeting in a public place, bear in mind that distracting things might happen &#8211; shouting, laughing, a frisbee in the face (okay, hopefully not that).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a way, this could help set people at ease and kickstart creative engagement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If for whatever reason holding a meeting outside just isn\u2019t viable, why not compromise by bringing the outdoors in? <br><br>If possible, make use of your office\u2019s roof terrace, fill your meeting space with plants or simply allow participants to take a short break outside.<br><br>Get out and give it a try!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Further Reading:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/meeting-room-names-what-to-call-your-office-meeting-room\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\"><strong>Meeting Room Names: What to Call Your Office Meeting Room<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[Video] The Benefits of Outdoor Meetings &#8211; Strangely enough, meeting in outdoor spaces can be a boon to your employees productivity, and workplace satisfaction. Here&#8217;s how&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":6707,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"subtitle":"","format":"standard","video":"","gallery":"","source_name":"","source_url":"","via_name":"","via_url":"","override":[{"single_blog_custom":"","sidebar":"","second_sidebar":"","share_position":"","share_float_style":"","post_date_format":"","post_date_format_custom":"","post_reading_time_wpm":"","zoom_button_out_step":"1","zoom_button_in_step":"1","number_popup_post":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"","single_post_gallery_size":""}],"trending_post_position":"","trending_post_label":"","sponsored_post_label":"","sponsored_post_name":"","sponsored_post_url":"","sponsored_post_logo":"","sponsored_post_desc":""},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":""},"jnews_social_meta":{"fb_title":"","fb_description":"","fb_image":"","twitter_title":"","twitter_description":"","twitter_image":""},"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1890],"tags":[182,187],"class_list":["post-6703","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-small-business","tag-meeting","tag-meeting-rooms"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28.png",2042,500,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-300x73.png",300,73,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-768x188.png",768,188,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-1024x251.png",1024,251,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-1536x376.png",1536,376,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28.png",2042,500,false],"web-stories-poster-portrait":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28.png",640,157,false],"web-stories-publisher-logo":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28.png",96,24,false],"web-stories-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28.png",150,37,false],"jnews-360x180":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-360x180.png",360,180,true],"jnews-750x375":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-750x375.png",750,375,true],"jnews-1140x570":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-1140x500.png",1140,500,true],"jnews-120x86":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-120x86.png",120,86,true],"jnews-350x250":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-350x250.png",350,250,true],"jnews-750x536":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-750x500.png",750,500,true],"jnews-1140x815":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-1140x500.png",1140,500,true],"jnews-360x504":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-360x500.png",360,500,true],"jnews-75x75":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-75x75.png",75,75,true],"jnews-350x350":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28.png",350,86,false],"jnews-featured-750":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-750x184.png",750,184,true],"jnews-featured-1140":["https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-1140x279.png",1140,279,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>[Video] The Benefits of Outdoor Meetings &#8211; Strangely enough, meeting in outdoor spaces can be a boon to your employees productivity, and workplace satisfaction. Here&#8217;s how&#8230;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/category\/small-business\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Small Business<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Kate Tattersfield","url":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/author\/kate-tattersfield\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","author_meta":{"display_name":"Kate Tattersfield","author_link":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/author\/kate-tattersfield\/"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/AVO-Header-28-300x73.png","coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/category\/small-business\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Small Business<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Small Business<\/span>"]},"tags":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/category\/small-business\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">meeting<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/category\/small-business\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">meeting rooms<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">meeting<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">meeting rooms<\/span>"]}},"comment_count":"0","relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 6 years ago","modified":"Updated 1 year ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on March 10, 2020","modified":"Updated on April 2, 2025"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on March 10, 2020 9:50 pm","modified":"Updated on April 2, 2025 6:07 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6703","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6703"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6703\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6707"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6703"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6703"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alliancevirtualoffices.com\/virtual-office-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6703"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}