Know your objectives

What’s the purpose of your event? Is it to plan for the future, drive behaviour change, strengthen team bonds, or celebrate? Perhaps it’s all of the above.

Whatever you hope to achieve, keeping your objectives in mind when planning your event will help you make the right choices at every stage of the process, from choosing a venue to creating an agenda. 

Get the venue right

The venue you choose has the ability to define the entire experience. It can make or break your event.

The first thing to think about is location. Perhaps you need somewhere local, or somewhere close to an airport to make it more accessible for colleagues joining from abroad. Maybe you are looking for somewhere rural, or a city location. 

Then you will need to consider what type of venue would suit your event. How much space do you need? How customisable does the space need to be? Are you looking for somewhere unique and different? Do you need accommodation onsite? Or perhaps you are just looking for something unique and exciting that will wow your colleagues.

You will also need to think about the technology capabilities you will need. A strong internet connection and sound AV technology are likely to be crucial to your offsite meeting. A good venue should provide these for free, but the standard will vary, so it’s always a good idea to check the capabilities.

Being clear on what you want from the venue will help you to narrow down your search.

Set an agenda

Although a few days out of the office might feel like a lifetime, chances are time will fly. To make the most of it, it's vital to start with a clear agenda that outlines what you hope to achieve and how you’ll attempt to allocate your time. Leave plenty of time for conversation too. Some of the best ideas are sparked over casual discussions.

When setting your agenda, think about how you can induce genuine engagement from your colleagues and partners at all times.

Incorporate time for activities...

The best corporate offsites aren't all work and no play. Activities, especially those that instil a little friendly competition, are a great addition to your event. Something active like archery, tug of war or a game of cricket will help to energise people. Witness bonds form and strengthen as colleagues interact and connect in new ways. 

...as well as rest and relaxation

Bonds can also be formed when relaxing over dinner or a glass of whisky. So make sure there’s some downtime too. As well as helping to make new connections and strengthen relationships, it will also help people to feel like they’ve had a reset, and a new lease of life, which will help them when they get back to the office. 

Make good food a priority

What is a great event without great food? A great meal has the potential to spark conversation and create a better atmosphere. So many great ideas and deep discussions can take place over a shared meal. Providing your colleagues with great food can also help to boost their creative juices and fuel brain power, which can make all the difference to the success of your event.