When the coronavirus pandemic of 2020 hit, isolation set in. Not only with family and friends, but with work colleagues. Many employees worked from home, and teams had to relearn how to work together exclusively using online messaging, video calls, and screen shares. While COVID appears to be here to stay, the looming threat of overwhelming transition seems to have passed, with more people comfortable enough to return to the workplace.
However, many companies have embraced the remote work or hybrid work culture, finding it saves the company money on building costs and rent. The main challenge for employees of the hybrid/remote working era is not the work itself, but the lack of connection, comradeship, and culture. That’s why company retreats, holiday parties, and team-building events are more important now than ever before.
According to Business Travel News, U.S. meeting volume in December 2022 exceeded monthly pre-pandemic levels for the second month in a row. Moreover, while meeting volume continues to increase, so has attendance per event.
Here are 10 places that cater to corporate employers for company retreats, on-site work meetings, and other corporate-based activities.
1. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
An ideal place for a winter retreat! Check out the Jackson Town Square, Oxbow Bend, Grand Teton National Park, and the best ski lifts. Perfect for companies looking for a sporty experience immersed in nature. Many hotels in the area provide plenty of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, catering to large and small corporate events.
2. Las Vegas, Nevada
Treat staff members to a stay in this fun-loving city that never sleeps! If you don’t want to stay on The Strip, there are plenty of off-Strip resorts, all of which offer plenty of amenities, yet are still close to the action. They feature comfortable guest rooms, spas, swimming pools, restaurants, and meeting spaces. There are options galore for large and small groups.
3. San Francisco, California
An urban retreat is just what your employees need. With plenty of public transportation, San Francisco offers great restaurants, nightlife, and sight-seeing at places like the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Chinatown. Your employees will be motivated and inspired to step up their game.
4. New York City, New York
You can’t go wrong with a retreat or corporate event in the Big Apple. Walking is the main mode of public transportation so you can walk off all the calories from the hundreds of restaurant and bar options! When you aren’t in the meeting room, take a guided tour of some key landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, or the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
5. Sedona, Arizona
Check your colleagues into the heart of Sedona's red desert to reset and recharge. It’s the perfect place for spiritual and personal enrichment of the body and soul. With comfortable weather year-round, there’s never a bad time to book your corporate event in Sedona. There are plenty of relaxing spa treatments, yoga, hiking, meditation sites and the most incredible sunsets anywhere. Your employees will never forget the experience!
6. Honolulu, Hawaii
It may be paradise, but Honolulu can still go high-tech! Many hotels cater to the corporate world for employee retreats. They come equipped with large event spaces and conference rooms for big and small company gatherings. On-site event coordinators plan team-building activities and guided tours, plus some R&R. Don’t miss a visit to Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, or Iolani Palace.
7. Miami, Florida
Corporate events in Miami are a fun way to gather your group together to work hard and play hard. For example, your group can take a trip down to Miami Design District, or learn to cook at Sur La Table. They facilitate team building by creating familiarity and encouraging guests to bond over memorable experiences in this beach city.
8. Denver, Colorado
Take a food tour, work as a team in an escape room, compete in a high-speed go-kart race, or explore downtown Denver on a scavenger hunt. Denver is the perfect place to work on team-building and team-bonding sessions. Spring and summer have the most comfortable temperatures to include hiking and rock climbing on your to-do list!
9. Napa, California
Some of the top destinations for corporate retreats are in Napa Valley, home to a number of world-class wineries and spas, making it the perfect place to relax and recharge. The region’s mild climate and stunning natural beauty make it a great choice for a corporate retreat.
10. Hood River, Oregon
One hour east of Portland International Airport, set along the scenic Columbia River Gorge, Hood River is a vibrant small town with a strong outdoor scene. Spectacular waterfalls line the gorge, basalt cliffs run high above the blue water of the Columbia River, and Mt. Hood hovers in the background. Add to this the pastoral scene created by orchards and rolling fields, and this is an incredible area for sightseeing and outdoor recreation after your team meetings.
Need a corporate travel management company to help you search, book, and manage lodging for your company meetings? Join CLC Lodging for free today.
