As the corporate event industry continues to grow, corporate retreats are also re-gaining popularity. Thoughtfully-curated retreat experiences can boost creativity, build camaraderie and recognize achievements.
Here are some of our tips for planning a modern corporate retreat, while keeping modern needs and expectations in mind.
Plan, Plan, Plan
Planning for a business retreat should involve everyone who will be in attendance. Here’s where to start:
- Establish Goals
- This is an excellent place to start when formulating ideas for a retreat.
- Is your goal to foster employee connections?
- Are you celebrating accomplishments?
- Are you planning for the year or revisiting values?
- Establishing goals will make it easier to find the right venues and experiences for the event.
- This is an excellent place to start when formulating ideas for a retreat.
- Develop an Itinerary
- Wherever your corporate retreat might take place, establishing an itinerary will help keep your event on track and put everyone on the same page
- Some retreat venues, like Retreat 21, can take the guesswork out of planning an itinerary by designing a retreat schedule that will help you meet your goals.
- Plan for Fun
- Even if your retreat is meant to get down to business, don’t forget to schedule in some fun.
- Retreat 21 can coordinate activities like an amazing race or scavenger hunt, or design more low-key fun like a wine tasting or yoga session.
- The design of Retreat 21’s grounds creates lots of opportunities for fun. From fire pits, swings, lawn games, a beach and pool and 64 acres to explore!
- Even if your retreat is meant to get down to business, don’t forget to schedule in some fun.
- Build in Flexibility
- When gathering a group of colleagues, remember that one size doesn’t always fit all. Build in some flexibility to allow your retreat guests to choose between experiences or how to spend their downtime.
- Wherever your corporate retreat might take place, establishing an itinerary will help keep your event on track and put everyone on the same page
- Set Expectations
- Setting expectations for your business retreat will help everyone feel prepared for the event and prevent some potential snafus. In addition to sharing your goals and itinerary, preparing guests for their experience will set them up for success!
- Let employees know what to pack. What’s the dress code? Do they need cocktail hour attire? Should they have hiking shoes and workout gear?
- Discuss accommodations. Retreat 21 has onsite cabins and geodomes that make it easy for your team to stay together. Plan ahead if you expect employees to share cabins, and offer alternatives for those who prefer their own space.
- Cover creature comforts. Outline the sleeping arrangements and accommodations, the bathroom facilities, wifi access, and food availability.
- Reiterate your employee code of conduct and expectations for behavior. That reminder can be helpful to keep the team focused on your business values while in a different environment.
- Setting expectations for your business retreat will help everyone feel prepared for the event and prevent some potential snafus. In addition to sharing your goals and itinerary, preparing guests for their experience will set them up for success!
Foster Connections
If you have remote team members, like the 27 percent of the U.S. employee workforce, know that they are itching to connect with each other! Creating meaningful experiences for your team to connect will not only benefit the business culture and collaboration, but can also improve mental health among employees.
- Look for fun excursions or activities near your retreat destination. Whether a happy hour or a hike, getting out and about can create opportunities to connect.
- Build opportunities to connect into your agenda. From scheduling time to chill and mingle to arranging for activities, your expert event team at Retreat 21 is focused on fostering connection.
Don’t Overdo It
Knowing your audience and keeping their preferences in mind will keep you from “overdoing it.”
Your team doesn’t need the risks of a fire walk to enjoy and benefit from a retreat. We recommend you poll your employees to gauge their expectations and priorities. Most employees are wanting to be recognized, get time off, eat good snacks and have basic considerations from their employers. So focusing on what makes them happy at a retreat!
Ready to plan your business retreat? Contact our expert team to get started.