Corporate retreats are one of the most popular types of workcation. They’re more laidback and less work-focused than an industry convention or an expo and are primarily known for having a unique focus on team building and improving morale. Corporate retreats can be used as an incentive for exemplary performance and meeting challenging business goals, or they can inspire new ideas for an upcoming business project.
4 Questions to Help You Plan the Best Corporate Retreat
What are your goals? If your main priority is team building, you’ll want something a bit different than if your team will be working half days from their hotel while getting solo downtime for the other half of the day.
What activities are you interested in offering? Different locations are known for various local attractions and entertainment options. Whether you’re more interested in yoga on the beach, or you’d rather hit the slopes at a ski resort will affect both the location and the timing of your trip.
What’s your budget? This is an important factor to consider, but it’s completely possible to plan an effective corporate retreat no matter the size of your business or your budget.
Tip: Traveling stateside instead of internationally is one of the easiest ways to save money on travel costs!
Where do you want to go? The first three questions should help you narrow down the list of possible destinations, and if you’re still drawing a blank, read on for some of our favorite corporate retreat locations in the U.S.A.!
Best Desert Corporate Retreat Location
Scottsdale, A.Z. is the place to go if you’re looking for upscale resort options, unique food, boutique shopping and warm weather. There are more than a few exceptional golf courses available, giving experienced golfers a chance to hit the links while new players can learn to play from expert golf instructors or indulge in a five-star dining experience at the golf club restaurant.
You can also treat your team to an authentic cowboy experience with guided horseback riding trails, an old west cookout, and learn about real cowboy history at one of the many local cowboy museums.
Best Mountain Corporate Retreat Location
Denver, C.O. is known as the “Mile-High City” and the first thing you’ll probably notice is the fresh mountain air. With a good mix of indoor and outdoor activities available, this is one of the best locations to plan a well-rounded agenda that will ensure a fun experience for all employees.
The Denver Art Museum, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Denver Botanic Gardens are all a great place to start; or you can go to one of the many ski resorts in the nearby Rocky Mountains; or seek out once in a lifetime experiences like axe throwing!
Best Beachy Corporate Retreat Location
Block Island, R.I. is a one-hour ferry ride from mainland Rhode Island, and it’s the closest thing you’ll find to a remote British isle without leaving the United States. You’ll see rolling green hills, low fieldstone walls and gorgeous coastal scenery with rocky beaches, and the village-like Old Harbor has stayed true to its historical roots with Victorian bed and breakfasts, quirky local boutiques, and a single grocery store.
This option is ideal for smaller teams, due to the small size of the island (one of the largest hotel options has 31 rooms), and this isolation also makes it the ideal place to slow down for a few days: take in the misty mornings and bike rides on the beach, afternoon hikes to the bluffs overlooking the ocean, and then walk into town in the evening for scratch-made dinner and hand-churned ice cream.
Best City Corporate Retreat Location
New York City, N.Y. is one of the top destinations for corporate retreats, not to mention one of the top destinations for American travel bucket lists in general, and it’s no wonder why! From Central Park and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan to Rockefeller Center and Times Square in Midtown, there’s no shortage of places to go and things to do in the city. Dining options range from fine dining to pizza by the slice, and hotel options are equally eclectic.
Best Budget City Corporate Retreat Location
Boston, M.A. is our suggestion for when you want an historical city with tons of food and things to do but without that NYC price tag. Fenway Park, the Freedom Trail, and the world-class Boston Museum of Fine art are just a few options to consider.
For something more historical, check out the Boston Harbor, where you can see the Boston Tea Party ships and museum—and don’t miss out on the Boston River tours: this kayaking experience is designed for all skill levels and is the best way to see the city.
Best Quirky City Corporate Retreat Location
Austin, T.X. is so weird they’ve adopted it as their city motto! What is there to do in Austin? From local historical sites to the eclectic live music scene and film festivals to the many local parks and lakes that offer destinations for hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and boating, the better question is what isn’t there to do in Austin?
Best Historical Corporate Retreat Location
Washington D.C. has some of the most iconic buildings and monuments in American History and is a great place to go for team-building activities or a more work-focused corporate retreat. Since most of the people who work in D.C. commute from nearby cities, their transportation options and internet availability tend to be better than average.
From the historical walking tours, massive statues and monuments around the capitol to less well-known attractions like urban farms and outdoor adventure courses, you’ll find something your team will love!
MTI Events Can Plan Your Best Corporate Retreat
Whether you’re looking for an individual incentive, a team incentive, or both, MTI Events can brainstorm with you to coordinate a company retreat at one of these top locations, or anyone else you want to send your top performers! The best part is that you don’t have to set aside time to build, establish, and manage the logistics of these programs—we’ll take care of all of that for you, leaving you free to manage your people and your business!
