How to host amazing company retreats your employees love

Company retreats provide an opportunity to socialise with colleagues in a new and rewarding way. They can be fun-filled adventures, relaxing breaks, or motivational development opportunities.

If you’re planning a company retreat, you need a location to reflect your goals. And at Basejam, connecting you with the perfect location happens to be our speciality. Just pick your filters, location, and reason for retreat, and browse unique locations from around the world.

But before you book anything, read this guide to planning a successful company retreat.

Different types of company retreats

Not all company retreats are the same. Here are three types to consider while you’re making your plans:

• Annual planning retreats: The purpose of annual planning retreats is to plan for the year ahead. Get the whole team involved in the process of working towards company goals.
• Professional development retreats: Professional development retreats are all about developing and reinforcing the skills of your employees. They often include team-building activities, workshops, seminars, and projects.
• Recreational retreats: Recreational retreats have less to do with work and more to do with spending time together—having fun and promoting health & well-being.

How do you organise a successful company retreat?

So, how exactly do you organise a successful company retreat? Let’s take a look:

Step 1: Determine your goal

Establishing a clear goal is the first step to retreat planning.

Make sure your goal is both achievable and specific. If you've already got one or two in mind, fantastic! If not, take a moment to consider what you aim to accomplish by asking yourself a few key questions:

• Are there any problems that could be solved together? For example, brainstorming ideas for a new marketing campaign or setting some company goals?
• Is there anything lacking in your company’s culture? Perhaps it needs stronger communication or time management.
• Could the retreat be a good chance to develop skills or provide training? Leadership skills, for example.
• Could the retreat be a celebration of recent company achievements to motivate employees and improve morale?

Step 2: Find the perfect destination

With your goal in mind, it’s time to choose a location that helps you achieve it.

If you’re stuck for destination inspiration, worry not—Basejam is here to help. We’re dedicated to helping companies design and book the perfect retreat for their goals.

Our searchable, filterable database of retreat venues from around the world makes it easy to find venues that meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for cabins or castles, we have you covered!

Your chosen retreat destination will determine the overall cost of your event. It will also have a huge impact on your whole experience. You could, for example, opt for a beachside location in Marmaris. Or maybe you want to stay closer to home and choose a beautiful millhouse in Devon?

When you’re choosing which destination to go for, keep these things in mind:

• The size of your team
• The facilities and amenities you need
• Your budget
• Is there anyone with accessibility needs within your team?
• Which destination would guests like the most?

Basejam provides comprehensive information to help you find the perfect retreat! Our listings include guest capacity and detailed retreat style descriptions, from “recharging” to “connecting”.

Step 3: Set your schedule

Before you book anything, ask your employees what dates are best for them. Be sure to offer 3–4 timeframes to choose from.

It’s best to avoid dates over school holidays because employees might run into childcare issues or other family commitments. You might also want to consider how the weather might be at your destination at different times of the year.

When you’ve decided on a date that is most convenient for your team, give everyone plenty of notice to make any necessary arrangements.

Step 4: Organise your transportation

Organise transport for your team to ensure you all arrive on time. For closer venues, consider car-pooling or booking a bus service. For locations that are further afield, organise flights for everyone. Be sure to book early to take advantage of deals and discounts.

Step 5: Set your agenda

Next, it’s time to set your agenda. Choose activities that will help you achieve your goals. Also, consider what kinds of activities your employees would enjoy. Remember, though, the retreat isn’t a vacation. It’s an event to build relationships, skills, or your company culture.

That said, it should also be a lot of fun. Here are some examples of activities you and your team can enjoy together:

• Challenges to develop new product ideas and pitch them to the rest of the team.
• Split your team into smaller groups and organise a scavenger hunt.
• Escape room activities where teams must solve puzzles and clues to escape the room.
• Ask an industry expert to speak at the event.
• Fun activities like paintballing and basketball.
• Yoga and meditation sessions.

Once you have all the details together, share them with all your guests. Include dates, locations, activities, and any other important details.

Conclusion

Now you’re ready to start planning your company retreat.

The most important thing is to ensure everyone has a fun and positive experience. Use the opportunity to encourage employees to build new relationships, strengthen existing ones, and work together to achieve a common goal.

Struggling to find the perfect location? Basejam makes it easy to find amazing retreat venues that meet your requirements—from a number of guests to amenities.

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