How to Host an Amazing Company Retreat
A company retreat may not top the “best vacation ever,” but it be something worth looking forward to that creates lasting memories and also helps drive the future of your company. If you do things right, you can put on an amazing company retreat that people will rave about all year. New Urbanism communities along the Texas coast, such as Cinnamon Shore in Port Aransas and Beachtown in Galveston, are great options for hosting work getaways that combine top-of-the-line accommodations with wild, inspirational natural beauty. Both communities feature on-site restaurants and pools, beach access and large beach homes that are perfect for informal meetings and after-hours gatherings.
Here are tips for planning your next company retreat on the Texas coast.
4 Reasons You Need a Company Retreat
When you really understand the benefits of a retreat, it sounds crazy not to have one. Here are several reasons you should allocate resources toward concentrated time together in a fun venue:
- Connect in a different way. When your team interacts face-to-face every day, conversations naturally lead to hobbies, families, dreams, etc. Remote team members don’t learn those little things about each other like people who share an office space, and if you’ve ever tried to force a casual conversation on Skype, you know how awkward it can be. Getting away together lets all members of your team connect through shared experiences, which will make their workplace bonds even stronger.
- Discuss values. As a startup, talking about values can sometimes feel a little silly and “corporate.” We only spend one meal during the retreat discussing what we stand for, but having the conversation is still effective. Addressing the topic briefly and in the right environment helps everyone internalize values and strengthens your company culture.
- Think bigger. Retreats disrupt your routine so you can plan for the future. New ideas are often formed out of spontaneous brainstorming sessions, and retreats create the ideal environment for the free flow of ideas.
- Celebrate together. If you’ve hit a big milestone recently or had a good year, a retreat provides the perfect time to reward your employees and do something unique to celebrate everyone’s hard work.
Additional Reading: How to Run a Company Retreat for Remote Teams