Wellness was in full swing at the 2026 conference this morning, as attendees gathered at 8 a.m. for an energizing HIIT workout hosted by local Greenville studio “The Booty Shop”. The free, music-filled class welcomed participants of all experience levels, offering a fun way to kick off the day with movement, energy, and a sense of community.

Dr. Brandon Brown emphasized the importance of prioritizing wellness amid a busy conference schedule. With so many sessions and activities vying for attendees' attention, opportunities to move, recharge, and connect are an important part of the conference experience.

These initiatives stem from the collaborative efforts of the conference's Accessibility Team, comprised of mindfulness coordinator Cat Novakovich, Brandon Brown, and Alexis Michalos. Now in her second year in this role, Novakovich emphasized the committee's commitment to promoting physical wellness, mindfulness, mental health, and accessibility.

Beyond fitness activities, the team also contributed to an accessibility guide for presenters, emphasizing practical considerations such as microphone use and captioning to help create a more inclusive conference environment.

The HIIT class is just one component of a broader wellness initiative. Attendees can also look forward to a Monday evening Wellness Wind Down, a Tuesday Walk and Talk, and a morning yoga class. Through local partnerships and thoughtful programming, the committee hopes to make wellness an accessible and meaningful part of the conference experience.

Attendees are encouraged to check the conference guidebook app for activity times and locations, so they don't miss these opportunities to move, connect, and recharge throughout the conference.