People work together in an organization for years, but they only manage to build everlasting bonds when they regularly participate in offsite retreats.

Additionally, such trips and recreational activities indicate that you care about your employees even outside of work; this goes a long way in reducing turnover and ensures their long-term commitment. And research shows that happy employees are up to 12% more productive in the workplace.

Here are some tips to help you plan the perfect corporate retreat where everyone will find balance, learn new perspectives, and evolve together into a formidable team.

Understand Why You Need The Retreat

Before you start planning a retreat, know the motivation behind it.

Does your team need a morale boost, is a new brainstorming session required, or does your business need an injection of new skills?

The goal of your retreat is the foundation for all other variables for setting up the perfect corporate getaway.

Identify The Goals And Objectives For All Attendees

Company retreats are the best time to address and eliminate any issues you may be having with your team. But despite that, many companies fail to reap the full benefits because planners don’t put in the effort required to create a pre-determined agenda for the event.

It’s important to divide the goals into attainable objectives and then plan the retreat around them. For instance, if your goal is to build a more cohesive team, then your games, activities, and even travel experience, should make sure that happens.

Similarly, if the retreat has been planned to develop a product or brainstorm about a service, then the meetings, workshops, and conferences should be designed with this in mind.

Don’t Lose Your Focus

A common way to fail the objectives of the retreat is to expect too much, too soon from the team.

No matter how much you have planned or how good the team is, there is a limit to what they can accomplish during a few days or even weeks of a retreat.

Just stay focused on your goals and make sure your agenda is followed for maximum impact.

Make Sure The Bosses Are There

The presence of executives is significant for the success of your corporate retreat.

This serves to encourage more people to turn up for the event and they get to connect with their bosses outside of the work environment. It also creates a sense of harmony and encourages everyone to learn more about each other.

Find The Perfect Location For Your Retreat

Your colleagues have their own ideas about what a company retreat should look like; some prefer the serene surroundings of lakeside resorts while others want to fly all the way to Europe!

It all depends on the objectives of the corporate retreat and your budget – but it’s also a good idea to ask them for suggestions and consider the majority of responses. Other limitations, such as the size of your team, also have an impact on your selection of the location. A smaller group can be accommodated in hotels easily, but you’ll need a bigger venue with plenty of open space to create a stellar retreat experience for bigger teams.

The weather conditions should also be appropriate at the venue to ensure that any outdoor activities go ahead as planned. On the other hand, many companies choose sites with weather that’s opposite of their actual location, all in an effort to kick start an enlightening change for the attendees.

Plan Transportation And Accommodation

By now, you should know the number of people going to the retreat.

If your venue doesn’t offer onsite accommodation, book a nearby hotel in advance and also acquire the services of a transport company to carry people to and from the venue, hotel, tourist spots, and the airport.

Get the Menu Right

Ask your selected venue if they can cater to the corporate retreat and get their menu to decide whether it’s a good idea or not. You could also have the event serviced by a catering company or dine at the hotel you are staying at.

The Last Word

Outdoor locations are a very popular option for anyone planning a retreat and there is a perfect reason for that; research shows that natural settings can significantly improve an employee’s performance at work.

If you are in or around Alabama, nothing beats the tranquility and natural beauty of The Barn Smith Lake in Bremen, AL.

Just call and schedule your arrival and we will take of everything from accommodation to catering and more! Get in touch with our team here.

If you are starting your wedding planning journey as a newly engaged couple, first of all, congratulations on this beautiful new chapter in life.

There’s a bigger day coming though. One that would need a lot of planning and deliberation to ensure that everything is perfectly organized to help you achieve your vision of a dream wedding. And while every decision, no matter how small, plays a crucial role in crafting the biggest day of your life, none come close in importance to deciding on the venue of your wedding ceremony.

And don’t worry, because we are here to help you choose the right venue for your dream wedding.

Would a traditional church ceremony better suit you or are you looking for a marquee reception? Are country barns more your thing or does a romantic lakeside wedding feel right to you? There are endless possibilities and our top tips will help you make the selection process a little easier.

Here are a few questions you need to ask about each venue and all the details you need to consider before deciding on one.

Does It Align With Your Wedding Vision?

If you want a modern city-chic wedding, consider art galleries and restaurants with contemporary décor or even warehouses.

On the other side, if you want to incorporate elements of nature into your special day, then outdoor venues such as ranches, lake-side resorts, and ranches should work well for you.

So when presented with a choice, only look at it if it aligns with your dreams and goals for the perfect wedding. Otherwise, move on!

Will Your Guests Be Comfortable Here?

First of all, figure out how many people will be invited to the wedding from both the bride and groom’s side. Then, look for a wedding venue that’s big enough to accommodate all of them to save yourself from a lot of heartache and headache later on.

Unfortunately, couples often underestimate how many people they’ll invite, then their parents add to the list as well, the siblings want their friends invited too – before you know it, there’s a tough situation at hand. Don’t make this mistake and be sure how many guests are coming before you book a venue.

What’s Your Budget?

Americans spend $22,000 on average on a traditional wedding ceremony; this not only includes rental for the venue, but also vendor payments for décor, flowers, catering, etc.

Take all these factors into consideration when deciding on a venue and scale back the added costs or look for affordable spaces to ensure that the entire event falls within your budget. It might also be a good idea to prioritize vendor costs because people remember the food and décor long after the event.

If you do select the venue first, ask them if they would be interested in including catering and décor into your package. You can also work with a local planner to find good deals on such details.

How Far Is The Venue?

If out-of-town guests are invited, look for a venue that offers overnight accommodations or at least one that has a hotel nearby.

Ask the venue management how many people can fit in the room comfortably and what they are allowed to do in accordance with the fire safety code. For example, will your guests have catering or is there a kitchen where they can cook?

Does Your Venue Allow You To Stay True To Yourselves?

Most couples choose venues based on images they see online, even though it’s not really their style.

It is essential to be authentic as a couple when creating your wedding vision, so you can plan a day that encompasses all your dreams. Choose a space and décor that truly represents you, as a couple, in love.

Finally, remember that a venue may look gorgeous in a theme or design scheme, but if it’s not the perfect canvas for your love, then it’s not all that amazing.

The Last Word

There are plenty of exclusive venues to attract your attention in and around Alabama, but one stands out from the crowd: The Barn Smith Lake at Bremen, Alabama.

It’s an excellent choice for anyone planning a formal(ish) dinner wedding, but doesn’t want all the decorum of a hotel. You’ll have two options – a barn-style wedding or a glasshouse wedding, and each offers something truly wonderful and unique.

Additionally, the Barn Smith Lake hosts one group of guests at a time so you can have the intimacy of a private event at a grand venue. The location is to die for; with picturesque sunsets that make for a great photo op.

You can learn more here or contact them today.