12 August, 2024
Corporate leaders are facing a new challenge: how to bring their teams back together in a meaningful way.
With the shift to remote work, employees have grown weary of virtual meetings and the isolation that comes with working from home. The absence of in-person interaction has left many longing for the connection they once felt with colleagues and leaders. However, there's a growing resistance to returning to the traditional office environment—no one is eager to go back to the daily grind of long commutes and sterile office spaces. So, how can leaders address this? How can they rebuild the sense of connection among employees, their leadership, and the companies they work for?
The answer lies in creating experiences that employees will cherish. In 2022, we’ve observed a notable shift in a lot of events. There has been a significant increase in demand from corporate clients for in-person retreats and corporate outings, particularly those that involve travel to outdoor locations.
Currently, 80% of business involves planning retreats, a sharp rise from just 20% in 2019. This year, we've already organized a winter retreat in the north for a California-based tech company, where their team enjoyed snowmobiling, fireside s’mores, and dog-sledding, all while engaging in refreshed company training. This spring, we’re preparing a ski trip in Banff for over 700 employees of a client, offering them a chance to reconnect, have fun, and be rewarded for their perseverance over the past few years. We also have an upcoming fall retreat where top manufacturer dealers will gather in the mountains to exchange ideas, enjoy good food and drink, and bond with nature and one another. These events share a common goal: fostering face-to-face connections in safe, meaningful outdoor settings that serve as a backdrop for business discussions.
The Emerging Role of Corporate Retreats in the Post-Remote Work Era
Why Outdoor Experiences and Hybrid Events Are Becoming Essential for Business Success
- Business leaders face the challenge of bringing teams together post-remote work.
- There's a significant increase in demand for in-person corporate retreats.
- Yellow House Events has seen a dramatic shift in their business.
- These retreats offer employees activities like snowmobiling, skiing.
- With the pandemic subsiding, there is an expectation for a return to in-person events.
THE CHALLENGE OF RECONNECTING
Corporate group travel and retreats to exciting outdoor locations will become essential business tools. Meaningful conversations will take place in unique settings, and the experience economy is set to flourish! Employees are ready, leaders are ready, and agencies like ours are more than prepared to make these in-person connections a reality once again.