With the last weeks of summer upon us, businesses all across North America are beginning to plan their holiday season corporate outings. It’s never too early to start planning, after all. There are many things to consider when planning a corporate group outing for you and your team to ensure a memorable time for everybody involved. We’ve put together a list of some tips to keep in mind when planning your next company outing.
Step 1 – Figure Out The Basics For Team Building
The first thing to consider is always the who, what, where, when, and why – as well as how many! What is your budget? In what city will the event be held? What type of venue would accommodate your needs? Who are the targeted external clients? What type of event will draw them in? An upscale cocktail event? Dinner? Fun interactive activity? Who will be attending from your company? Why is the event being held? What is the ultimate goal? Who will be responsible for inviting clients and RSVP management? Write down the answers to those questions before you start anything else.
Step 2 – Get Input From Your Awesome Staff
Not everybody loves surprises – so keep this in mind when planning your next corporate outing. It’s unreasonable to think that all of your employees will have similar interests and likes, so getting a quick read of what might go over well can go a long way. Keep in mind that you’re all not likely to agree on the same thing, but using valuable input from each of your employees can bring you closer to finding an activity that everybody can get behind.
Step 3 – Save The Date: We’re Going Axe Throwing!
Once the proposed date has been selected and city identified, check not only your calendar but that of your industry and location of the event. Is there an industry conference scheduled at the same time? School breaks, religious holidays and other significant events can affect your attendance as well as the logistics of an event. Ideally, you should plan your event at least eight weeks out, allowing for invite list development, Save the Dates to be sent six weeks out, invites to be sent four weeks prior to your event, with reminders two weeks in advance of the event.
Step 4 – Picking the Right Location
While the newest trampoline park on the outskirts of town may be appealing for your event, your venue should reflect your audience and the business purpose of the event itself. Take into consideration the commuting patterns in the city where your event is to be held. For instance, in Toronto, venues that are close to subway lines and GO Transit or Via Rail Canada trains draw large after-work crowds. Whereas in Ottawa, most people drive, so venues with easy access to major highways are preferred.