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How to Make the Most Out of Your Corporate Retreat

How to Make the Most Out of Your Corporate Retreat

Tuesday, 03 May 2022 12:40

The mountains in North Carolina provide a relaxing getaway for those looking to take their employees on a corporate retreat. Although, corporate retreats are more than just "days away from the office," as they provide numerous benefits to your employees. It's an excellent option to boost employee engagement, refocus and energize everyone, and improve team collaboration.

Retreats allow you to clarify your company's goals and missions, employee roles, and company culture while also allowing for team bonding outside of the office. An excellent corporate retreat can be rewarding and stressful to plan, organize, and host. 

To assist you in planning the retreat that your company requires, we've broken down the process of organizing a corporate retreat and provided tips and tools to help you get the most out of your corporate retreat.

How to Organize a Corporate Retreat

Company retreats should be a perfect balance of work and play and should not feel like a typical office meeting in a new location. This means you’ll need to plan the retreat with a little more thought to get the most out of your corporate retreat. You’ll need to start with three critical factors in mind when planning.

1. Consider Your Company’s Objectives

Before getting into your retreat, consider what your retreat should accomplish and what your team can gain. The goal is to build bridges between a primarily remote team and bonding activities, and withdrawal should last at least 2-3 days. 

If you want to provide your team with fun time away from the office for team building, a short day to two should be enough.

2. Factor in the Time of the Year

The time of year is essential for corporate retreats, and if you’re going somewhere other than your immediate area, you’ll need to do a little more research on the location, weather, and venues. You’ll also want to avoid asking people to travel during a major holiday like Christmas when most of your team would not be able to come. 

3. Give People Plenty of Heads Up

A corporate retreat entails more than just your planning. Anything outside your team's routine requires advance notice, especially if travel or unusual hours are involved. Allow enough time for your staff to find childcare, hire pet sitters, and plan transportation to and from the retreat. 

This takes time, so try to inform people at least three months in advance. Create a schedule for your staff and distribute it as soon as possible, so they know what to expect.

How to Plan and Get the Most Out of Your Corporate Retreat

1. Book the Retreat Venue

The retreat location can be anything from an ample conference space in a large resort to a weekend at camp, or you can spend a day at a nearby national park. Consider what your team would be interested in, what fits within your budget, and what you believe will work well with the purpose of the retreat. 

Would your team be interested in doing something outdoors in the mountains or traveling to a tropical location to relax? Consider what your group would be interested in, what fits within your budget, and what you believe will work well with the purpose of the retreat.

2. Book Lodging

In some cases, lodging is not required, especially if the retreat is close to home. Others will require you to book a place, but it will be at the venue. If you need to book accommodations separately, you will want to find somewhere close enough to your venue that your staff can quickly get back and forth.

When looking for a place to stay, contact the hotel or resort directly.

3. Book Transportation To and Around the Retreat Area

How will your team get to, from, and around the retreat area? If you're a local, this won't be a big deal, but all other retreats should include transportation in their planning and the budget. 

Charter buses can be helpful for a one-day retreat where you're going to and from a single location that's relatively close by and won't require transportation elsewhere. Similarly, shuttle buses work well for in-town retreats. Remember that if your team is flying in, you'll need to book their flights and transportation from the airport to the venue and back.

4. Plan and Book Team-Building Activities Recreation

At this point, you've taken care of the majority of the complex logistics, and it's time to start planning the fun stuff: activities and retreat events. Plan activities you'll do as a group and reserve them well in advance. After all, it's still a retreat and not entirely a vacation. People will anticipate both speeches and team-building exercises.

Camp Tekoa Retreats

Whether planning a full company retreat, a strategic planning session, or a group outing, Camp Tekoa’s amenities, service, and experiences are custom-tailored to meet your needs. 

Located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, our property is filled with beautiful nature and hiking trails, as well as a 3-acre lake, an open-air pavilion, and many lodging options. Book your corporate retreat at Camp Tekoa Retreats and explore everything we offer!