The residential corporate retreat is a professional event or corporate event aimed at bringing together all employees in a location outside the usual setting for at least one day and one night. It can have one or several objectives: implementing changes at work, fostering team cohesion, making important decisions, and many others. It is also a good way to motivate and strengthen the team.

Unlike a classic corporate retreat, the event takes place in a hotel, and guests remain on the premises throughout the duration of the corporate retreat. However, it maintains the same principle: part of the time is dedicated to work and the other part to relaxation. That is why the selected venue must have an outdoor space to host group activities and offer a wide variety of activities such as the pool, spa…

Good to know: The guests are not only the employees. The company can also invite its partners and clients.

A corporate retreat room, congress room, or conference room is a large space dedicated to hosting professional events. There are three arrangements:

• Theater style: the chairs face a screen or the speaker, a fairly simple arrangement allowing for a large number of attendees.

• School style: this format is inspired by traditional classrooms with tables, thus facilitating note-taking.

• U-shaped: this setup is recommended if the offsite is expected to host fewer than thirty people.

Equipment is often available on-site such as video projectors, microphones, sound systems, video conferencing screens, tables, and chairs. Some venues also offer catering services to facilitate event organization: welcome cocktail, refreshments, etc.

The duration of a corporate retreat should be neither too short (at the risk of disappointing your employees) nor too long (the guests may become bored). However, the ideal duration varies depending on the location of the event. If you opt for a place near the workplace, one day is more than enough. On the other hand, plan a maximum of 3 days for a corporate trip to another city. Finally, if you are traveling abroad, the stay should not exceed 7 days.

Even if the corporate trip can take several formats, the objectives are often the same.

Exchange

First of all, the primary objective of a team retreat is to exchange and share with the team to encourage interactivity and foster dialogue. Indeed, team members will be more open during the event.

Convey messages or strategies

The offsite is also an opportunity for company leaders to convey strategies and messages to their team members in order to improve their performance at work and increase their productivity.

Motivate

It is also an excellent way to boost team motivation. By stepping out of the usual framework, team members will feel more at ease. They will have the opportunity to breathe fresh air and rejuvenate.

Strengthen the team

By improving existing organizations or implementing new methods, you strengthen teamwork. Moreover, the atmosphere will be more relaxed in a less formal setting.

Comprehend company projects

To ensure the success of a project, engage team spirit. Through a meeting over several days, you can uncover innovative ideas to stand out from the competition and attract the target.

Train

The corporate retreat serves primarily to train team members to boost their performance.

To successfully organize a residential team retreat and enhance the company’s image, the choice of location must not be made lightly, regardless of the city chosen, in France or abroad. Several parameters need to be reconsidered to make the right choice:

• The space: can the area accommodate all the guests? The location must not be too large or too small.

• Accessibility: this is a crucial point, because if you haven’t planned a particular vehicle to transport your colleagues and other participants to the meeting place, you should opt for a location accessible via public transit.

• Parking: is it secure? Does it have enough parking spaces to accommodate the guests’ cars?

• The quality of hotel rooms: can it suit the guests? What type of accommodation could meet the needs of each person?

• The cost: it is a decisive factor. It is essential to respect the budget planned for renting a room for organizing a residential team retreat. Simultaneously, inquire about included services and additional fees to expect.

• The services offered: you should also rely on the available services to make a more informed choice.

Finally, review the equipment provided for you and what you need to bring on the day to avoid unpleasant surprises.

You have chosen the Île-de-France region as the next destination for your corporate trip or company anniversary? Discover some highlight activities you can offer your team:

• gastronomic tour;

• escape room;

• cooking class;

• treasure hunt;

• game bar.

Organizing an activity in the evening is also becoming more common, a kind of after-work event to relax the whole team. In any case, to successfully organize a residential team retreat, be very attentive to the expectations of your colleagues and other participants, and take into account their interests to avoid disappointing them.