What is a company retreat?

A company retreat is an event that brings employees together outside of their usual work environment. It may take place at a hotel, a local restaurant, an all-inclusive resort or any other location that can accommodate a large group of people.

One of the main purposes of holding a retreat is to encourage employees from different departments to interact with each other. In many companies, employees focus on their duties without giving much thought to what goes on in other divisions. That makes it difficult to share ideas and come up with innovative solutions to business challenges.

It’s also helpful to hold a retreat after a period of intense work. For example, if you run a tax preparation company, your employees could probably use a break after the grind of filing all those returns. Retreats give employees a chance to relax and recharge, making them ideal for companies in high-stress industries.

Related: How to Plan Bonding Activities for Teams: A Guide for Managers

Tips for a successful company retreat

Planning a company retreat is a little different from planning a small party for your closest friends, as the event needs to match your company’s goals and promote collaboration among employees. Follow these tips to take the guesswork out of the process.

Start early

A company retreat isn’t something you can plan at the last minute. You need time to hire a caterer, book hotel rooms, order company-branded apparel and complete other tasks. To make your event a success, start planning as early as possible.

Plan a variety of activities

Not all employees have the same interests or abilities, so a good retreat has a variety of activity options. Aim for a mix of team-building events, brainstorming sessions and games. If possible, give attendees plenty of time to relax between sessions.

Offer multiple meal options

If you’re providing meals, take any health- or lifestyle-related dietary restrictions into account. For example, you may have one employee on a low-sodium diet and another on a gluten-free diet. You also need to think about accommodating vegetarians and vegans. Before you finalize your menu, survey employees to determine the best way to accommodate their needs.

10 staff retreat ideas for small and medium businesses

You don’t need to spend a fortune on a company retreat. In fact, some of the most successful retreats may just be the ones that give employees a chance to relax instead of having to dress up for dinners or learn a new skill in front of 50 people. Incorporate these ideas into your next retreat to make the event a success.

1. Take a business “staycation”

You don’t have to spend a ton of money on airfare and accommodations to make your retreat a success. If you’re on a budget, book a local hotel, have employees meet at a nearby park, buy tickets to an event in your city or even hold it at your office. Not only will you save money, but you can avoid worrying about travel expenses.

2. Use your resources wisely

Many companies hire guest speakers to educate and entertain retreat attendees, but speaker-related costs add up quickly. You have to pay a fee for each guest, provide hotel accommodations, pay for their meals and make sure they have transportation to and from the event venue. If you’re looking to save money, look inward.

Instead of hiring outside speakers, ask your employees if they’re willing to share some of their knowledge. For example, if your itinerary includes a hike through your local nature preserve, perhaps one of your employees can teach their colleagues about local flora and fauna. You’ll save money, and your employees will have a chance to learn from each other.

3. Visit a local farm

If you want your employees to relax, take them to a local farm. Petting goats, shearing sheep and riding horses are all great ways to let off steam. Many farms also offer seasonal activities, such as sleigh rides and pumpkin picking, giving attendees a chance to forget about their responsibilities and focus on having fun.

4. Try an escape room

Escape rooms are great for team-building, as they require participants to solve problems, make decisions and communicate effectively. They’re also relatively inexpensive, making them ideal for small companies that don’t have the budget to travel to another city.

5. Put together a scavenger hunt

Like escape rooms, scavenger hunts provide plenty of opportunities for employees to collaborate. Participants also use their knowledge and skills to decipher clues and find hidden items. Make things fun by incorporating your company’s mission or vision into the event.

6. Don’t forget the icebreakers

Icebreakers are fun activities that get participants to open up about themselves. As a result, they’re ideal for helping employees get to know each other better. If your team members rarely have opportunities to interact with people outside their own departments, icebreakers are also helpful for making everyone aware of the tremendous amount of talent in your company.

7. Play games

If an escape room isn’t in your budget, have your employees play board games in a relaxed environment. Games are ideal for improving communication and decision-making skills, encouraging collaboration and giving everyone a chance to have fun. Have a variety of games available to appeal to employees with different skills and interests.

8. Go “glamping”

Not everyone wants to rough it in a sleeping bag, but employees are likely to embrace “glamping,” a more glamorous form of camping. Instead of making employees sleep on the ground, provide comfortable air mattresses or rent a large recreational vehicle with beds. Cater to different dietary needs by going to a local restaurant for dinner instead of heating canned franks and beans over a campfire.

9. Explore a local park

If you have a park near your office, take the afternoon off and have employees go exploring. While they walk, employees can help each other solve problems or come up with creative product ideas. Make the experience even more fun by packing snacks and giving attendees a little time to explore on their own.

10. Celebrate big achievements

Boost morale by turning your company retreat into an opportunity to celebrate big achievements. Employees want to know you appreciate their efforts, so take time to recognize high achievers and congratulate team members on a job well done. Make the event even more special by handing out trophies or certificates.

Related: 5 Types of Team Building Activities to Boost Your Company Culture

Boost morale on a budget

Having a company retreat is a great way to build stronger teams, celebrate company successes and make sure everyone is in sync when it comes to your mission, vision and goals. Use these staff retreat ideas to plan an event that appeals to employees of all backgrounds, interests and abilities.