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The Essential Corporate Retreat
In the Post Covid Environment
By John Deane, Owner, Wildwood Resort & Marina in Granville, Tennessee*
A few years ago, I wrote that working remotely will likely extend into the post-COVID world. Companies have embraced Zoom, Microsoft Team Meetings, Google Meetings, and other tele video technologies for a lot of good reasons:
- Recruiting and retaining the best talent in many situations required offering remote work accommodations.
- Working remotely saves both travel and office costs.
- Remote work contributes to the sustainability of the workforce by reducing burnout associated with long commutes and frequent airline travel.
This trend was driving companies to rely increasingly on corporate retreats to replace or supplement the office as the primary culture-building venue for face-to-face engagement between and among colleagues within the organization.
More recently most companies appear to have called their employees back to the workplace. A frequent compromise is a hybrid arrangement whereby employees are asked to report to the workplace two or three days each week.
With the Return to the Workplace, Where Does that Leave the Corporate Retreat?
So where does that leave the corporate retreat? At Wildwood Resort & Marina in Granville, Tennessee, last year we hosted 50 corporate retreats for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations as well as 25 family reunions and a dozen weddings, as well as 500 weekend getaway experiences for couples, friends and families.
Despite the return-to-work trend we are observing, the corporate retreat remains an important ingredient for the modern organization.
What Are the Essential Elements of a Successful Corporate Retreat?
Several elements are essential for an effective corporate retreat:
- Accessibility – The corporate retreat venue needs to provide participants with a getaway experience without being far away. An hour or two drive from a major city is close enough for those driving and flying in, but a five-hour drive from the nearest major airport is too far.
- Comfort – Since most corporate retreats involve one to three overnight stays, the accommodators must be comfortable, with meticulously clean rooms, in-room coffee service, appropriate lighting, and individual temperature control. Hooks and shelves in the bathroom are in place, along with a large-screen television capable of streaming and providing network programming.
- Food & Beverage – Happy guests are well-fed with delicious food and beverage offerings throughout their stay. They should be offered a varied and tasty menu with vegan/vegetarian options and a broad range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage options.
- Meeting Room – The meeting room is where business activities occur. The best meeting rooms have windows with great views and shades to darken the room when needed, large TV monitors for displaying presentations, ready access to coffee and refreshments, and excellent acoustics. The best meeting spaces have built-in tele video technology allowing select participants and faculty speakers to join remotely.
- Fun – It’s essential to make time in the corporate retreat itinerary for fun. Examples include sunset boat tours on the lake, corn hole, bocce ball, horseshoes, Giant Jenga, and ping pong. Live music can enhance the retreat experience and inspire creativity. A bourbon-tasting and/or s’mores roast around the fire pit can lead to breakthrough ideas.
- The Great Outdoors – Take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. Enjoy activities such as hiking, kayaking, stargazing and many other fun activities. Even group business meetings can be in an outdoor setting. If the weather permits, dine alfresco with your team.
Return on Investment
Corporate retreats are roaring back in a big way because they are an excellent investment in attracting and retaining talent. They create an environment where breakthrough thinking is encouraged by building a solid company culture that can positively change the organization’s trajectory. ______________________________________________________________________
*John Deane is the co-owner, with his wife, Natasha, of Wildwood Resort and Marina in Granville, Tennessee, a boutique destination resort and corporate retreat venue. For more information, go to VisitWildwood.com.
