Dad teaching his kids about lung health at health fair
10 Proven Ways to Maximize Foot Traffic at Your Health Fair (With Examples!)
Planning a health event and wondering how to maximize health fair foot traffic? You’re not alone. Every hospital, clinic, and community group hosting a health fair wants the same thing: a vibrant, well-attended event that leaves a lasting impact.
Below, we reveal 10 proven strategies that top hospitals and event organizers use to maximize health fair foot traffic — with real-world examples you can apply immediately.
1. Partner with Community Organizations
✔️ Example: Texas Children’s Hospital Health Fair Partnership — they partner with churches and schools to co-promote events.
How to Do It:
Make a list of churches, YMCAs, community centers, and local nonprofits within 5 miles of your event. Email or call them offering co-branded flyers and social media shout-outs if they promote your fair.
2. Create a Social Media Countdown
✔️ Example: Johns Hopkins Medicine events page — they build anticipation for events weeks out with regular posts.
How to Do It:
Start a 14-day countdown on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Mix educational facts (“Did you know February is Heart Health Month?”) with event reminders.
3. Incentivize Participation with a Passport Game
✔️ Example: Houston Health Passport Challenge — encourages visitors to hit booths for prizes.
How to Do It:
Create a simple “passport” with your booth map. Each booth gives a stamp; attendees who visit 5+ booths get entered for a prize drawing.
4. Use High-Impact Visuals (Like Inflatables!)
✔️ Example: Medical Inflatables in action at the Texas Heart Institute Health Fair — giant hearts create buzz and foot traffic.
How to Do It:
Set up your inflatable where people cannot miss it: parking lots, main intersections, or entryways. Tie signage and photo ops to it.
5. Invest in Targeted Ads
✔️ Example: Ascension Health runs geo-targeted Facebook ads to drive event attendance.
How to Do It:
Spend $50–$200 to boost your event post targeting local zip codes, adults 25–65+, with an interest in health or fitness.
6. Feature Local Influencers
✔️ Example: Baylor College of Medicine’s partnership with Houston Astros mascots at health events — celebrity tie-ins increase reach.
How to Do It:
Invite popular radio hosts, local authors, or sports mascots to make appearances or help promote your event.
7. Offer Health Screenings
✔️ Example: Cleveland Clinic Community Events — free screenings bring people in.
How to Do It:
Coordinate with hospital departments or local clinics to offer blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, and BMI checks.
8. Enable Easy Online RSVP
✔️ Example: Eventbrite health fair examples — free, mobile-friendly event pages.
How to Do It:
Create a simple Eventbrite page where attendees can register (even if free). Send reminders 1 week, 3 days, and 1 day before the event.
9. Make It a Festival Atmosphere
✔️ Example: National Night Out community events combine health fairs with food trucks, games, and fun zones.
How to Do It:
Book 1–2 food trucks, a bounce house, and a kid-friendly activity like face painting to extend family attendance.
10. Align with a Health Awareness Month
✔️ Example: American Heart Month Resources — February heart campaigns get natural momentum.
How to Do It:
Pick a national health month that matches your inflatable exhibit (heart, lung, brain health) for natural marketing boosts.