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Color Choice is Key Ingredient to Successful Meetings

June 29, 2017
  • Photo Credit: Kate Houlihan

Most of us are unaware of the physical science behind color that touches our senses and stimulates our minds, but it exists. In fact, just the mere presence of color can inspire creativity thanks to its powerful affect on the human psyche. Color has the ability to give any space a high-energy vibe or a calm relaxed atmosphere. While the inability to focus may be due to a late night, research shows that color can qucikly get a sleepy mind on track boosting productivity and proving that color choice is a key ingredient to successful meetings.

How does color choice effect our psyche and our success?

According to color researcher Angela Wright, there are four psychological primary colors – red, blue, yellow and green. They relate respectively to the body, the mind, the emotions and the essential balance between these three.

Color is light, which travels to us in waves from the sun, on the same electro-magnetic spectrum as radio and television waves, microwaves, x-rays etc. Light is the only part of the spectrum that we can see.  Yet, Wright explains that since color travels along an elctro-magnetic spectrum, color is actually energy.

“Although response to colors is 80 percent unconscious, they affect you physiologically as well as psychologically,” she says, citing studies showing that when, “blind people were asked to identify colours with their fingertips, they were all able to do so easily.” Color is a universal, non-verbal language. It has a profound effect on the brain, causing it to feel tranquil or excited, angry or inspired.

How does color apply to meetings and events? The color you choose affects attendees energy and productivity. Think about all the elements that go into a meeting – everything from invites, to décor, lighting to centerpieces, every item you incorporate has the ability to influence human behavior. Depending on your overall meeting objective some colors are more appropriate than others. Here is a look at various colors and the emotions they tap:

Color influences your meeting objectives

If you’re hoping to create a high energy, stimulating environment then red is your color. Research shows the red excites the nervous system. According to the site, Quill.com, red increases brain wave activitiy and is ideal for late night brainstorming sessions.

Orange encourages playfulness and happiness.  Turn to orange when the goal is collabortaion.

Green is the equalizer. Green helps promote harmony and balance between body and mind. It’s the color to reach for when you need to inspire innovation and boost creativity.

Yellow helps detoxify body and mind, and is the perfect color to incorporate when hoping to clear energy, open thought channels and increase productivity.

Pink is associated with feminine energy, as such it is soothing and nurturing.  Add pink hues to color washes, décor or even centerpieces when looking to create a comfortable, relaxed vibe to your event.

Purple, like pink is a calming color. Often associated with spirituality,  purple is linked to the cerebral and nervous systems. Purple is also ideal when your goal is a peaceful ambiance.

Blue is a bit like pink and purple in that it has a calming effect on the senses. Studies show that blue actually helps lower heart rate and blood pressure, which is why it’s  the color of choice for hospital scrubs.  When the desire is to create an environment conducive to brainstorming, consider incorporating all three colors, pink, purple and blue.

Colors can clearly set the tone for our meetings. Once we determine the meeting objectives and the emotions we want to induce, the color options to aid in meeting those objectives are endless. While agendas, collateraol, food and beverage are all important components of a meeting , seemingly little details like color choice is a key ingredient to the success of your meeting.

You can quickly incorporate the power of color long before lighting and décor decisions by selecting a destination alive with nature’s abundant hues. Coastal areas inspire relaxed creativity thanks to blue ocean waters, while locations rich in natural florals can tap a variety of senses including orange for collaboration, green for innovation and yellow for productivity. Meeting planners looking to draw upon the power of color can easily do so by holding their meeting in Newport Beach, CA.  This Pacific coast destination not only offers the benefits of marine blue waters, but its surrounding bluffs and canyons beautifully integrate multiple colors, all of which have a significant impact on meeting success.

When you’re ready to begin organizing your next group meeting, contact the staff at Visit Newport Beach, the destination marketing organization for Newport Beach, CA. Visit Newport Beach opens the doors to this Pacific paradise with destination expertise, customized site visits, strong partnerships with valuable resources.

Written by Visit Newport Beach Meetings

As a not-for-profit Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), Visit Newport Beach provides destination expertise, customized site visits, strong partnerships and resources tailored specifically to the needs of meeting planners and their clients.

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