A successful corporate retreat balances work and relaxation, especially in a vibrant city like New York. From leveraging the city's iconic attractions to designing wellness-focused activities, there's no shortage of ways to engage company teams. As a corporate event planner, you can create an environment where your event clients can brainstorm in the boardroom, unwind with wellness activities, or explore the city’s cultural hotspots. Dive into these eight insights to help you plan corporate retreats in NYC that blends work with leisure, ensuring lasting benefits.
1. Venue Selection Matters
The right event venue sets the stage for your corporate event. Chooses a venue that immediately tells attendees that work and leisure are equally important. Plenty of venues in New York City offer professional spaces for business and casual spaces for recreation. Consider a historical building, hotel, rooftop, or conference center near recreational venues.
2. Work-Life Balance is Key
Balancing work and relaxation is important to prevent burnout and maintain productivity. Design a schedule that makes time for activities in both categories. This means building in more than 15-minute breaks. Add casual activities to the schedule where employees can feel less professional pressure to be productive and perform. This could be an informal networking event, company dinner, or games.
3. Explore Local Attractions
Take advantage of being in one of the most historic cities in the United States. Millions of people travel to NYC annually and visit much-loved attractions. Employees may not have visited the local attractions, allowing you to help them create team-building connections right here. Many of these sites offer group packages to help you stay within your event's budget. Consider a trip to a museum, a night out at a Broadway show, Or one of these famous sites.
- Empire State Building
- Rockefeller Center
- Summit One
- Statue of Liberty
- Grand Central Terminal
4. Incorporate Wellness Activities
These days, workers value mental health and overall wellness. Companies can provide support and show they care about employees by including wellness activities in their corporate retreats. Employees will especially appreciate these activities if the business-related portions of the retreat are especially taxing. Wellness sessions can help people release stress and feel mentally refreshed. Try offering a meditation, yoga, or sound bath class. Offer activities that allow attendees to spend time outside, breathing fresh air and soaking up the sun.
Try adding a gaming element to your corporate retreats, too. Attendees who participate in a certain number of activities could receive rewards, which would encourage participation and engagement. At the end of the retreat, rewards can be given to attendees who earn the most points.
5. Flexible Meeting Formats
Take a fresh approach to scheduling and planning meetings. Consider new strategies for where and how you hold corporate presentations and discussions. Consider hosting a meeting outside, weather permitting, instead of sitting in a bland conference room. Plenty of parks throughout New York City can readily host a professional meeting, too. Another option is to host your clients' retreats and meetings in an art gallery. Being surrounded by creativity can encourage attendees to think creatively and consider new points of view.
6. Leisure-focused Team Building
All too often, team-building activities inspire employees to perform challenging tasks together. These can feel almost as stressful as the work-related sessions of the retreat, which is the opposite of what you want. Instead, consider leisure-themed team-building activities. These allow attendees to bond while also finding peace and relaxation. Plan fun activities like a scavenger hunt, sporting event, carnival games, or a group class. These activities encourage teamwork and bonding without being overly mentally taxing or stressful.
7. End on a High Note
You want people to leave your corporate events with positive feelings that will help them stay motivated and productive. End your corporate retreats on a high note by doing a leisure activity that allows everyone to enjoy themselves together. This will also help to make the event more memorable. This could be a closing rooftop cocktail hour, dinner with a breathtaking view, or another memorable experience.
8. Tailor to Your Audience
Consider your event client's company culture when planning leisure activities for your corporate retreats. What works for one group of people may be a disappointment for others. By keeping your NYC event audience in mind, you can tailor your events accordingly. Some groups will appreciate more relaxed and free-flowing leisure time. Others may prefer more organized networking time. Others may appreciate activities that encourage relationship and team building.
Plan Successful Corporate Events
With its diverse venues and rich cultural landscape, NYC is the perfect backdrop for a corporate retreat that blends business with relaxation. By following these insights, you can craft an experience that boosts team morale and drives productivity. Plan your retreat purposefully, and watch your event clients' teams thrive, balancing work and leisure. Attending The Event Planner Expo 2024 can be the perfect place to find connections and inspiration for planning corporate retreats that balance work and leisure. Unlock the full potential of your business with insights from the top experts and unparalleled networking opportunities at The Event Planner Expo. It’s happening soon - get your tickets NOW!
