WalkingSpree congratulates Scott Beeken of American Financial Group - "2008 Benefits Professional of the Year"
WalkingSpree is pleased to congratulate Scott Beeken of American Financial Group and Great American Insurance as the 2008 Benefits Professional of the Year that was recently presented at the Annual Benefits Forum & Expo in Washington, DC. The Benny Award is presented annually by Employee Benefits News to the benefits professional who has demonstrated a consistent pattern of creativity and achievement in benefit plan design, administration, communication and/or staff management, as well as contributions to the benefits profession overall.
Calgary, AB (PRWEB) September 22, 2008
WalkingSpree is pleased to congratulate Scott Beeken of American Financial Group and Great American Insurance as the 2008 Benefits Professional of the Year that was recently presented at the Annual Benefits Forum & Expo in Washington, DC. The Benny Award is presented annually by Employee Benefits News to the benefits professional who has demonstrated a consistent pattern of creativity and achievement in benefit plan design, administration, communication and/or staff management, as well as contributions to the benefits profession overall.
WalkingSpree has worked closely with Mr. Beeken in establishing a company wide walking program for its 5,500 employees that involves a USB compatible pedometer and customized Web site where employees can track their steps and progress to better health. As part of a comprehensive wellness program that also included biometric screenings, a weight management program and wellness seminars, employees were challenged to walk at least one million steps over a 6 month period to qualify for a range of awards that included a new 2009 Saturn Sky convertible.
"AFG employees are having a lot of fun with the WalkingSpree program. We have almost 2,700 employees and spouses participating and not only are they becoming more active but they are also connecting with fellow workers and spouses on a more personal level by walking and talking together. The energy the program has generated has been overwhelming. It's very motivating. It's been great," Beeken commented.
"The participation level that AFG has attained is remarkable for a voluntary program, especially when the employees were asked to pay a portion of the program to show their commitment. AFG employees might be wearing out their shoes as they collectively have walked over 2 billion steps after four months, and nearly two-thirds will have exceeded the corporate challenge to reach million steps," according to Hiran Perera, CEO of WalkingSpree.
Participants in the WalkingSpree program are averaging over 8,300 steps per day -- twice the average activity for a typical office worker.
"I am pleased to be recognized with this Benny Award and for the assistance we have received from WalkingSpree in developing this innovative and leading edge health and wellness benefit for our employees," Beeken concluded.
About WalkingSpree. com:
WalkingSpree. com delivers an effective, economical, and fun wellness program (http://www. walkingspree. com/corporate) for corporate clients, health insurers, health clubs and the general public. WalkingSpree is the only firm in North America to market a web-connected walking program using USB Omron Pocket Pedometers (HJ-720). WalkingSpree has developed a web-based wellness program with easy-to-read dashboards and calendars for activity, food consumption and weight loss. Individual and/or team competition and virtual walks add a motivational component while web 2.0 online peer networking features and access to accredited coaches offer a support dimension to the WalkingSpree program.
WalkingSpree's corporate wellness (http://www. walkingspree. com/corporate) program is designed to maximize employee engagement and to deliver a high return on investment. WalkingSpree program is tailored to the needs of a corporate client including the development of private sites. A flexible solution is available for any size corporation to fit its budgetary constraints. No extra costs are required for a corporate wellness initiative as a turn-key solution is delivered to the corporate administrator. See WalkingSpree. com (http://www. walkingspree. com)
Contact: Hiran Perera
Chief Executive Officer
WalkingSpree. com
(303) 482-0190 x 102
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