Close to 1,050 University of Houston faculty and staff members gathered at the Recreation Center with one goal in mind: learning more about their benefits. Human Resources hosted its annual Wellness & Benefits Fair in early July and, along with nearly 50 participating vendors and University departments, shared information about the many benefits available to employees.
The annual fair gives UH employees an opportunity to engage face-to-face with health and wellness providers, ask questions, and gather information about their benefits. Each year, the fair features a theme, and this year’s event centered on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Multipurpose Activity Court at the Recreation Center was filled with inflatable soccer balls, World Cup-themed posters, and colorful signage.
“It’s an opportunity for our faculty and staff to meet face-to-face with our vendors, as well as community organizations that offer valuable services,” DeAnna Holmes, HR senior benefits coordinator said.
Among the participating vendors and departments were VOYA, Fidelity, Blue Cross Blue Shield, AFLAC, and several UH units, including Human Resources, the UH Police Department, UH Staff Council, Campus Smiles, and University Information Technology.
Creating opportunities for employees to connect directly with vendors and campus resources is one of the many reasons HR hosts the event each year. For Torrence Douglas, associate director of employer relations with University Career Services, the chance to speak with vendors in person rather than through email or over the phone is one of the fair’s biggest benefits.
“It’s important because we tend to default to checking online resources for information about our benefits,” Douglas said. “Being able to talk with people face-to-face is beneficial, and we also have more time during the summer to attend events like this, so it’s a great opportunity.”
That face-to-face interaction proved especially valuable for Douglas, who needed assistance with TexFlex, a flexible spending account available to UH employees. Attending his third Wellness & Benefits Fair, Douglas arrived with an issue related to his account and was able to speak directly with a TexFlex representative who resolved it on the spot.
“This is really our signature event where we get to connect with a large number of employees,” Court Stein, wellness administrator, said. “That one-to-one personal contact makes a world of difference, and people appreciate being able to get direct answers right away.”
Dana Wimer, director of facilities operations, attended the Wellness & Benefits Fair for the third time and said attending the event is a must. She noted that returning each year helps her stay informed about changes to benefits and serves as a valuable refresher.
Gaston Reinoso, associate vice chancellor and associate vice president for Human Resources, understands the importance of hosting the event annually and looks forward to it every year.
“The benefits are a pillar for our retention of employees because the benefits are very rich compared to most employers,” Reinoso said. “Providing these benefits—and helping employees understand their value—makes their jobs and careers even more rewarding.”