Lee Papa answers additional questions from the 05.17.17 Mindful Meetings webinar.
1. How can we be mindful in downtown hotel? I want to create a reflection room...
Without seeing the property, I can't give specifics but what I know is that the more you practice mindfulness, the more creative you will become and the flow of information seems to be clearer. In other words, you will come up with great ideas as you develop the practice yourself. You could start with things such as aromatherapy, live plants and water features as they are great additions to a space to create a more mindful feel. Oh, a labyrinth would be amazing! A walking meditation area. Feel free to reach out for more details.
2. How much does it usually cost to host a meditation/mindfulness room at a hotel for a conference? What items would need to be provided in the room to achieve the desired level of peacefulness/mindfulness?
I can speak to my fees but not the actual room fees or decor. Those are handled separately. My standard rate is $5,000 per day. Multiple days, addition of keynote, necessity of an additional team member, and depending on size and number of attendees will all reflect in the pricing. Multiple days reduces the daily rate. The decor can be minimalist or be elaborate. I can help the design company optimize the space on your budget. Lighting is very important, softening walls with draping, water feature, chairs and tables in the lounge area and chairs and floor cushions in the meditation area. You can add statuary, creative wall elements and more. Check out images on my website www.leepapa.com. As part of my fee, I am available to consult with the design of the room.
3. Were Sales & Marketing people on the list anywhere? Specifically those w/ hotels/DMOs?
I assume you are referring to the Forbes Most Stressful Jobs list? The answer is not in the top 10. Here is the list and the link.
- Enlisted Military Personnel
- Firefighter
- Airline Pilot
- Police Officer
- Event Coordinator
- Newspaper Reporter
- Senior Corporate Executive
- Public Relations Executive
- Taxi Driver
- Broadcaster
Courtesy of: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mkl45eieik/8-event-coordinator/
4. "Frequent breaks" and how badly groups schedule "white space" in their schedules. How do YOU think they can do better?
With the Mindfulness Lounge, you would add these "breaks" into the educational offerings schedule. Allowing time for the scheduled meditations and offering a space to just chill in between sessions.
5. As a speaker, what do you require of groups for whom you are to speak regarding scheduling, space, air, light, f&b, etc.?
There are too many variables here to give you a blanket answer. I am very flexible and work with small intimate groups and very large conferences and shows. I can adapt to many environments. Please feel free to reach out to me and we can discuss the details of your particular event.
6. How are you seeing hotels being designed differently or allowing the use of space differently to support mindfulness?
It is more about the wellness programs and offerings as well as the language that is being used versus the brick and mortar.
Case in point: The James New York-Nomad. Their website states "The James New York-Nomad will be guided by the core pillars of Connection, Consciousness and Community. Providing an enlightening travel experience for all guests. The hotel will include a comprehensive wellness program complemented by locally-sources touches." THIS is totally Mindfulness approach!
HTTP://M.JAMESHOTELS.COM/DISCOVER-THE-JAMES/JAMES-JOURNAL/MINDFULLY-MODERN-COMES-TO-NOMAD
7. Hotels, convention centers and even conference centers are often cranky about the kind and amount of space to support mindful meetings. What's the trick to turn that side of the industry around?!
I love the word "cranky!" Made me smile. Practice mindfulness yourself and you will see how the ripple will lead to the conference centers and convention centers. It is the 100th monkey story. Keep asking and others will keep asking and they will be forces by demand to accommodate and in turn will be open and will eventually embrace.
8. In what ways do you incorporate mindfulness for people w/ disabilities? (Hi John!)
This is a great question and I would love to have a dialogue with you on it. I would like to write a blog on this question. Without more detail of a particular disability in mind, I will offer an overall statement. Mindfulness practice is within. I am a facilitator and a guide, I train people how to practice Mindfulness but the journey is an individual self-journey of discovery. It’s scientifically proven to change the brain. It benefits those with PTSD, depression, anxiety and many issues relating to stress. The only disability at first thought that I might be challenged with offering my services would be to the hearing impaired but if they read lips or I was supported by a sign language assistant, we are good to go. Please reach out to me if you are interested in a further dialogue. Thank you!
9. Great presentation. Will Lee be presenting at IMEX 2017?
Thank you so much! Yes, I am looking forward to year 4!
10. Anyway to access without "app"?
Yes, here is the link to my offerings on the site: https://www.insighttimer.com/leepapa.
Please explore all the offering to see what you like and what works for you. I am the queen of the short guided meditation. Powerfully rewarding short meditations that are healing. They are not for everyone and it is also great to start exploring silent meditation. But until you can quiet the mind enough to do that, the guided meditations are great.
You can also purchase the entire CD on CD Baby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/leepapa.