How to Raise the Bar on Open Enrollment Meetings
How to Raise the Bar on Open Enrollment Meetings Employees Remember
Open enrollment season is fast approaching and, for most organizations, it’s the busiest benefits period of the year. According to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, more than three in four (77%) responding organizations begin their open enrollment periods in either October (34%) or November (43%). More than half (52%) keep their enrollment windows open for just two weeks, which leaves a short span of time to inform, educate and inspire employees to take action.
That makes every minute of your open enrollment meeting count. And the format you choose matters, too. The New Benefits Broker Pulse Survey found that 57% of brokers say in-person meetings are still the most effective way to introduce non-insured benefits. Face-to-face sessions create better engagement and follow-through, while allowing for real-time questions, feedback and relationship building that’s hard to replicate virtually.
If you want to elevate your next open enrollment meeting, here’s a sneak peek at three of the proven tips featured in our latest Mastering Open Enrollment guide.
- Set the Stage With Clear Goals
A successful meeting starts with clear, measurable objectives — not just for what’s presented, but for how employees respond. Are you aiming to boost enrollment in underused benefits, cut down on common plan selection errors or drive more traffic to your member portal? By defining goals early, you can tailor your content, measure results and refine your approach year over year.
- Use a Theme to Tie It All Together
A unifying theme gives your meeting structure and makes the content easier to follow. It helps employees see how each part connects to the bigger picture and why it should matter to them. Use the theme consistently across all materials — from invitations to slide titles — to reinforce the message and make it stick. Refresh it each year to keep the experience relevant and engaging.
- Keep Presentations Short, Visual and Conversational
Open enrollment content can be overwhelming. Limit each benefit explanation to 2–3 minutes — focusing on what it is, why it matters and how to use it. Use visuals instead of text-heavy slides, speak in a friendly tone and incorporate “why it matters” statements to connect benefits to real-life situations.
Get All 10 Tips to Transform Your Open Enrollment Meetings
The three tips are just a preview of the in-depth recommendations featured in our Mastering Open Enrollment guide. Inside, you’ll find proven strategies to increase engagement, leverage interactive tools, bring benefits to life with storytelling and more. Download the complete guide now — Mastering Open Enrollment — to access all 10 tips and elevate your next meeting.
