10 Tips for Hosting a Corporate Summer Getaway

Summer is here, and many individuals and companies are planning their seasonal getaways. Studies show that continuous work can lead to high levels of stress, making vacations essential. Moreover, taking a break can boost morale and contribute to a healthier work environment.

However, whether it’s a weekend retreat or a one-day celebration, organising a summer getaway requires careful planning. From logistics to corporate event management, many factors must be considered. That’s why it’s crucial to allocate enough time and resources for proper preparation.

In this article, we’ll share some valuable tips for hosting a successful corporate summer getaway.

1. Define Clear Objectives

The first step in corporate event management is defining the main goal of the getaway. Is it a reward for employees' hard work, a team-building activity, or leadership training? Whatever the purpose, establishing clear objectives from the start ensures a smoother planning process and helps prevent misunderstandings.

For example, if you announce a company trip to the beach, employees might assume it’s purely for relaxation. However, if they later discover they are expected to work during the trip, they may feel disappointed and less enthusiastic about attending future events.

2. Choose the Right Location

Choosing the location of the getaways is another crucial. It should align with the main objective of the event and the budget and be accessible to everyone. Some of the most popular venues for company summer getaways include beach resorts, cabins, and mountain retreats.

Having the right location for your company getaways can significantly set the mood of the employees. For instance, if the venue you’ve chosen isn’t appealing to them, the event may not be as enjoyable as expected.

3. Plan Engaging Activities

The next essential thing you should plan is the list of activities you and your team can do. Usually, this depends on the venue. If the event is at a beach resort, you can plan activities that involve the beach, while if the venue is on a mountain, then you can hike or camp. At the same time, you can also include other team-building activities that can help with self-growth and team collaboration.

4. Consider Employee Preferences

Although deciding the type of activities to include in the company summer getaway can be overwhelming, considering everyone's preferences can be a helpful guide. While planning, provide a list of all the activities you’re planning to include so that the participants can be aware of the activities they can and can’t participate in. If everyone is comfortable enough to participate, that’s when you finalise the list.

5. Keep It Fun but Professional

While it’s all about having fun, don’t forget to remind everyone about professionalism. One of the most crucial parts of corporate event management is setting the guidelines. It should include the limitations of alcohol consumption, behaviour, and other things that can help the summer getaway become more enjoyable.

If you notice an employee getting drunk, you can gradually hint that it’s time to stop drinking or assist them into their accommodation.

6. Secure Logistics Coordination

Once the corporate event planning is done, the next step is to arrange the logistics. It includes transportation, event decoration, meals, and accommodations. Whether the venue is just a few minutes from the office or needs a long travel time, arranging the right transportation can significantly help everyone avoid being in a stressful situation just to reach the destination.

At the same time, having an arranged transportation can also benefit the environment (for less carbon footprint), and save money for gas and toll fees.

7. Encourage Team Bonding

Games and team-building activities are essential in a corporate summer getaway. Although there are activities that may challenge the team, you should also encourage them to bond. For instance, give them time to network with each other through karaoke or other simple activities.

One of the most popular ways of networking is by drinking, but not everyone can drink alcoholic drinks, so you can also provide mocktails or other drinks that others can consume.

8. Capture the Memories

Don’t forget to document everything. Even if it’s a memorable company summer getaway, having photos and videos to look back on is a great touch. You can hire a professional photographer or videographer, but you can also assign some employees to do so. After all, nowadays, everyone always takes videos and photos of everything that’s happening.

9. Gather Insights for Future Improvements

It’s important to know whether the getaway was a success. To be aware of this, you should create a survey and send it to the participants after the summer getaway. You can also set up an informal meeting about this so you can take note of the things that need improvement and implement them for the next event.

10. Stay Within Budget

While creating a memorable experience is the goal, don’t forget to stay within the budget. After all, there are other ways to show your appreciation to your employees, and the year has just started, so you can still provide other things to show your appreciation.

Final Thoughts

A well-planned and executed corporate summer getaway can leave an unforgettable experience for employees. By considering the tips listed in this article, you can host a stress-free summer getaway within the organisation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aliana Baraquio is a content writer for Pink Caviar Events Sydney, a full-service event management and decorative hire company located in Sydney. When she's not typing out blog posts, you can find her watching anime series or baking cupcakes.