A team outing can be the perfect way to reward your co-workers for their hard work, but having a nice time doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. Fortunately, there are many ways to plan a corporate retreat on a budget.
With so many components going into the ideal event – from venues and buses to activities and more – scheduling the best offsite group event is the perfect time to get creative with more cost-effective options without sacrificing high-impact experiences.
1. Define your retreat’s purpose and success metrics
Making budget-friendly decisions is possible, but you’ll need to first establish your reasoning behind hosting this event. The reason for this retreat may be a celebration of hard work or a way to boost company morale. However, you must consider your company’s needs when planning your team getaway.
A company off-site event can be an excellent time to encourage co-workers to relax. Attendees also have the opportunity to get to know each other better without the pressure of daily work tasks. Studies have shown that 40% of Gen Z workers feel burnout is inevitable, which can lead to a decrease in productivity. Therefore, it’s important to align your company retreat with your desired business goals.
2. Book reliable transportation
Creating the perfect retreat for your company can be a significant undertaking, so you’ll want to ensure that it’s accessible to all attendees. With 35.5 million people working from home or teleworking in the first quarter of 2024, it’s important to remember that not everyone may have reliable ways to get there. Even if everyone has a car or plans to take a bus, you may need to cover additional fees, such as gas or bus fare.
Depending on its distance, consider making accommodations to get employees to and from the retreat. Motorcoaches work well for getting staff to a local retreat, but shuttle buses are best for in-town transportation between hotels and other venues.
3. Select a local, unique and budget-friendly venue
You don’t have to travel too far to get away with your co-workers. Booking a trip that requires a flight could be an unnecessary expense. Local accommodations can sometimes be the most cost-effective option because, aside from a much closer destination, there is no additional hassle of boarding a flight.
There are many different types of venues available. The selection process should be determined by the number of people you have attending. Here are some nontraditional options for venue types to look for in your area:
- Event centers: This type of facility is ideal for those seeking flexibility in activities and food services. Often, you can find mini rooms within these halls to separate activities.
- Indoor sport facilities: These types of venues are great for those seeking built-in agenda items. You won’t need to focus as much on building a program to-do list because there are sport-related activities ready to go.
- Theaters: While most think of movies and popcorn, theaters offer the chance to share key moments on the big screen. Many theaters offer adjustable seating arrangements that accommodate groups of various sizes.
Less obvious spaces to book your event might include services, such as food and beverage. As a result, you won’t have to pay for many additional vendors. This process also gives you the opportunity to connect with your community through local options.
4. Design programming that packs a punch
Now that you have determined the ideal venue and transportation, it’s time to plan your activities while staying within your preplanned budget. The best high-value workshops don’t have to come with an expensive price tag. Many low-budget agenda items are readily available in any destination. From mini golf and comedy shows to karaoke, your co-workers are bound to come back with fun stories to tell.
Consider including some company-focused events that find the ideal balance between peer learning and fun. Try to incorporate team-building exercises that can boost your workforce’s overall morale. Adjusting to seeing someone outside of the office can take some time to get used to. Take a moment to acknowledge the various settings. Overall, incorporating both informative and entertaining activities can lead to a truly great experience for everyone.
5. Create the guest list
Unfortunately, there are certain areas where cost-cutting is not feasible. For example, if this is going to be an overnight trip, everyone will need a comfortable place to stay that doesn’t require sharing rooms.
While you can cover employees’ costs, consider if there are other expenses you can generously cover or ways to make the retreat more attractive for your staff members. Areas that offer more flexibility can include plus-one invites. It shouldn’t be expected of you to cover the full price of any additional guests not working for you. However, opening up invites to allow for plus ones is a kindness and a special treat, while not required.
6. Find sponsorship opportunities
Now that you have figured out how to approach your guest list, consider how sponsors could help make the event more affordable. There are many practical ways to secure a corporate sponsorship. As you build out goals, think about how a partnership could benefit from this mission to help plan a business outing on a budget.
Sponsor agreements don’t only work in your favor. This opportunity can benefit the generous donor, as it advertises their own brand, resulting in advantages for both parties. If you can secure a sponsorship, be sure to maintain that contact for future events and connections down the road.
7. Prioritize sustainability and well-being
An important part of planning is also considering sustainable action tips and strategies. First, you’ll want to have an organized list of all the products you purchase for this event. Think about using reusable materials to help benefit the environment and reuse them for future company events.
Additionally, even though you might not be the one paying the electricity bill at your venue, think of ways you can save energy and resources to prioritize sustainability. For instance, you could provide compost and recycling bins, use water pitchers or dispensers instead of bottled water, and ensure lights and power are off before leaving the space.
Depending on your location and the time of the year, outdoor experiences can be the perfect setting for your plans. Consider how your event is treating staff, because you’ll want to encourage all connections. Take a moment to point out the waste bins so that you don’t earn a negative reputation.
8. Measure impact post-retreat
Once your event has ended and all parties have returned to their usual routines, take a moment to thoughtfully reflect on how you believe the event went. Carefully assess whether you met your goal of hosting a corporate retreat on a budget and met the expectations of all attendees.
The event doesn’t need to be perfect, but to improve future cost-effectiveness, track which items were actually used. Perhaps there was a favorite vendor, food item or activity. Take note of aspects that weren’t popular to help make the most affordable choices for future events.
Making every dollar and minute count
A cost-effective business event can be just as fun as any other. Deciding to host an event shows your commitment to grow with your team members. Consider new approaches to event scheduling to reduce some of the added stress that goes into event planning.
By using these strategies, you can create a memorable and meaningful experience that strengthens team bonds without straining financial resources, proving that value and enjoyment can go hand in hand.
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