A corporate retreat is a getaway that brings together people from different departments, locations, and backgrounds. The goal is to foster collaboration, innovation, and new ideas by immersing participants in an alternate, more relaxed environment. A corporate retreat can be anything from a few team-building activities over the lunch hour to an extended stay in a remote location with limited cell service, no internet access, and no distractions. 

This means it’s up to you to determine how long you want your retreat to be and what activities you include. Here are some general guidelines for planning and executing a corporate retreat and specific ways to adapt traditional concepts to your unique needs.

Determine What Your Goals are for the Retreat

When planning a company retreat, first think about your goals and objectives. What do you want to achieve as a team? What kind of environment do you want to create? Once you have a clear idea of your goals, you can start planning the retreat. Remember that a company retreat differs from a team retreat or a team member retreat. It should be more unstructured and allow for more employee bonding and connection.

Work or Recreation?

When planning a company retreat, deciding whether the focus will be on work or recreation is essential. Different amounts of time can be allocated depending on the company’s needs. However, both should be considered to create a well-rounded experience for employees.

Figure Out How Much Time You Need

First off, decide on the length of your company retreat. Will it be a day trip or an overnight stay? If you’re planning on having an unstructured retreat, consider making it a weekend so your entire team can get away and bond. If you’re worried about losing productivity, consider having your retreat during a slow season or for remote companies, plan it around a holiday. Prioritize getting everyone on the same page and use the time to brainstorm and plan for the future.

The length of the retreat will depend on several factors, including the size of your company and the amount of time you have available. Consider a retreat that lasts several days if you have a large company. If you have a smaller company, a one-day retreat may be sufficient.

Where Will You Have It?

Your retreat location may dictate how long your retreat needs to be. There are several factors to consider, such as whether the retreat will be held indoors or outdoors and whether it will be local or further away. Other considerations include the size of the group and the budget. Once the location is decided, start thinking about activities that will take place during the retreat.

Factor in Transportation Time and Costs

Company retreats are a fantastic way for teams to bond and get to know each other outside the office. However, one downside is that travel time can take away valuable bonding time. If your company retreat is in a remote location, consider booking transportation in advance so your team can relax and enjoy the ride together.

Contact Us for Help Planning Your Corporate Retreat

Planning a corporate retreat can be complex, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Getting the length right is just one part of the whole planning process. Fortunately, you can make it easier to plan corporate events by getting help from an event planner. 

Before you start working on your next corporate retreat, call Frogbridge Events at (609) 316-5901 or contact us here. We specialize in corporate event planning and can help you get everything for your next event right.