Open enrollment is the marquee event for employee benefits‌ — a crucial time when employees make decisions about their health coverage for the coming year. It’s your chance to demonstrate your organization’s commitment to their wellbeing and showcase the fine-tuned benefits package your team has built. More importantly, it’s an opportunity to ensure everyone feels informed, empowered, and excited about their choices.
As more people return to the office, hosting a standout open enrollment fair can make a world of difference in engaging and exciting your employees. Remember the sheer joy of a school book fair? The smell of new books, the colorful displays, and the sense of endless possibilities? What if your open enrollment experience could recreate some of that magic?
Here’s how you can pull off an event that’s both informative and engaging:
1. Remember that you know your employees best.
Every workplace has its own unique vibe, and as a benefits leader, you’ve got the inside scoop. Tap into that knowledge! Consider what motivates your employees and what they’re excited about. Are they amped up about the new vendors you’re working with? Are the wellness perks non-negotiables? Collect feedback from your team and your employees and center your event around the topics you know will resonate. Also consider timing, and be sure to schedule the fair when it’s most convenient for everyone. The more you tailor the experience to your employees, the more engaged they’ll be.
2. Build the excitement with incentives.
Bring the energy of a carnival to your open enrollment fair with the possibility of winning prizes. Gamify the experience and encourage curiosity with raffles, scavenger hunts, or bingo cards that employees can fill out and turn in for a chance to win a fun prize. The more interactive, the better. People love a little friendly competition, especially when there’s something cool up for grabs, like company swag. Big-ticket items, such as massage guns or fitness trackers, can really up the stakes.
3. Make it fun!
An open enrollment fair doesn’t have to be all business. Inject some fun into the mix! In addition to games and prizes, think about incorporating socializing opportunities, food, and music to make your fair a full-fledged event. Feel like going all out? How about a photo booth with fun props? Or even bringing in puppies for a “Pet Your Stress Away” station? The more employees enjoy your event, the more likely they are to attend and stick around to learn about your benefits program.
4. Use your unique brand personality.
Your brand has a voice that’s all its own‌ — ‌use it! Create unique signage and splash screens using vibrant colors, and personalize the event to reflect your brand’s identity. Whether it’s quirky, sophisticated, or something in between, make sure that your open enrollment fair and all related materials feel like an extension of your company culture. This will not only make the event more memorable, but also reinforce your company’s values and identity.
5. Loop in your program partners and other vendors.
Your open enrollment fair is the perfect opportunity to bring in your program partners and vendors. Invite representatives from your networks, supplemental benefits providers, wellness programs, and other partners to set up booths. They can answer questions, provide demos, and help your employees understand the value of what’s being offered. It’s like having seasoned librarians at a book fair, guiding people to options they may not have otherwise considered.
6. Integrate your benefits into the event.
Don’t just talk about your health benefits — show them in action. Consider offering on-site flu shots, wellness check-ups, product demos, or nutritionist consultations as part of the event. This gives employees a taste of the benefits in real-time, making them more likely to take advantage of their benefits throughout the year.
7. Make it easy to understand.
We know benefits can be a bit more complicated than children’s books, but that doesn’t mean your communication should be. Make sure all flyers, brochures, and digital materials are easy to digest. Use simple language, clear visuals, and step-by-step guides. Make sure employees know exactly when and how to register, where to go for more information, and who to contact with questions.
8. Keep the ball rolling.
Your communication shouldn’t end just because the fair does. Follow up with emails and messages to keep the momentum going. Share highlights from the event, provide summaries of key information, and make downloadable flyers for those who couldn’t attend. This is also a good time to include your remote workers. Make sure they have all the materials and feel just as important in the process.
By keeping these tips in mind, you can host an open enrollment fair that’s not just informative but also a hit with your team. By tapping into the excitement and nostalgia of a beloved school book fair, you can create an event that’s both useful and enjoyable — one that leaves your team feeling confident and enthusiastic about their benefits choices.
