Following all the festivities of the holidays, it’s only natural to slump a bit when January comes along. The months can stretch out before a person can expect a new holiday or nice weather.
But the perfect way to bridge the gap is to host a team building event. As a New York event planning professional, you can capitalize on this opportune time to promote corporate events. And you can package your services as a high ROI way to kick off 2025 with company collaboration. Here are some ideas to help you connect with NYC companies about curating amazing team-building events this winter.
Create Engagement with Bucket List Events
Host a get-together in which team members share their personal bucket list in order to forge new levels of communication and camaraderie. For many people, just a visit to New York checks off one item on their bucket list. Even native New Yorkers may find firsts for their New York experience. Some top picks for newcomers and seasoned visitors or residents of the city are ice skating at the Rockefeller Ice Rink, see a show at Madison Square Garden, walk the High Line, and visit Coney Island. Ask your event clients to email over their NYC bucket list hotspots and then plan a company outing to help them check one off their lists. It’s a great way to tie in New Year’s resolutions, too.
Foster Positivity with Silver Linings
The holidays aren’t necessarily a joyous occasion for everyone. And it might be that some guests are feeling a little burnt out on holiday festivities, parties, and gift-giving. Use this opportunity to host a team-building “silver linings” event where everyone can get together for a simple lunch or in-office breakfast buffet to catch up with each other in a less formal setting. Plan games and casual conversation starters to just let your teams enjoy the pressure-free opportunity to positively engage with each other.
Amp Things Up with Laser Tag
Consider curating a fun, burn-off-some-pent-up-winter-energy with a company team-building afternoon playing laser tag. In Brooklyn, Area 53 offers laser tag in a unique setting. Laser tag participants will find the old factory basement that is Area 53 full of obstacles and architectural elements that offer enough cover for them to emerge the winner. The 90-minute sessions can be booked in advance and are reasonably priced. Area 53 is open for business during regular operating hours and can also be booked for private events. Area 53 features mini bowling, paintball, an adventure park, and a hip lounge.
Go Big with Improv
An improv class Big Apple style is sure to get team members pushing the boundaries in a good way. The city is covered up with places to improv with professional guidance. It’s a thing. But as different as each improv venue may be, the number one rule in improv is “Say yes!” This simple ethos can translate into the workplace, increasing both productivity and creativity. Create music, lyrics, comedy, or lines in a play, all with an improv class. And encourage your event attendees to have fun and break free of typical office norms with a little comedy.
Add a Bit of Mystique with Mystery Dinner
At a mystery dinner, you choose the outing but leave team members in the dark until the day of the event. Shortly before the occasion, team members who were only in the know about the date and time of the dinner get this tip: The restaurant name and the coworker they are traveling with. Mystery dinners create connections among colleagues in surprising new ways and break large teams into smaller groups, fostering a different vibe.
Find Your Team-Building Event Inspiration at The Expo
This is just the short list of incredible ways to foster team collaboration, engagement, and connection with team-building events in NYC. Use the New Year as your company’s opportunity to approach and land new corporate event planning clients. For still more great ideas for team building in 2025, make sure you get to the premier events industry conference - The Event Planner Expo 2025. Get in the room for three FULL days of high-energy networking with the best of the best in events! Tickets are available now!
