Corporate retreats: people either love them or hate them. The key to these “working escapes” is to balance productive strategy sessions with excitement, fun and relaxation.

There’s no question as to the benefits of corporate retreats. According to the American Psychological Association, when people are removed from daily routines and placed in an environment that encourages creativity and collaboration, minds begin to open and ideas begin to flow.

But, mention the phrase corporate retreat and employees often conjure up images of trust falls and relay races. The hard part is getting people beyond the thought of forced ‘team bonding’. Often, much time is spent in search of some unique ideas for corporate retreats. Let’s face it, many companies and many meeting planners have already ‘been there, done that’. That is, unless, you are heading to Newport Beach, CA.

Unique ideas for corporate retreats – Newport Beach, CA style

We know one of the main reasons companies organize corporate retreats is to encourage brainstorming that will ultimately lead to more business. However, while the retreat might take place in a different city, the atmosphere of the venue rarely differs much from that of the every day work environment.

Yet, in a destination that’s provided the backdrop for numerous movies and TV shows, is home for Kobe Bryant, Jay Leno, and Dean Koontz, and has a mild climate with miles of beaches, holding a thriving corporate retreat in Newport Beach, CA is a sure bet.

Strategic Sessions – With the largest recreational harbor in the United States, meeting planners won’t have to work hard to shake things up. Breakout of the boardroom and hold your sessions onboard a private luxury yacht. Just being in fresh air and on the water puts both mind and body into a state of relaxation, helping to spark imagination. A private yacht cruise though Newport Harbor allows attendees to experience the beauty of Newport’s coastal environment including refreshing ocean breezes, roaring sea lions, and historic landmarks. Escape the confines of a traditional meeting room, indulge in beautiful scenery and fire up the creative juices by taking your group on a private cruise.

Group Dine Arounds – There’s no getting around the fact that groups have to eat. Organizing a group dinner, especially during a retreat when things are supposed to be relaxing and fun, can be a huge headache for a meeting planner. Have no fear, Newport Beach has taken the stress out of group dine arounds and made the dining experience itself, another unique idea for the corporate retreat. With several dock and dine options lining its harbor, Newport Beach has put a twist on the traditional corporate dine around. Your group can begin the evening with a sunset cocktail cruise aboard a private yacht or get a bit closer to the water in comfortably quiet, electric boats. And, in keeping with the spirit of unique, groups can also ditch traditional transportation methods and arrive via water to one of Newport Beach’s many waterfront restaurants.

Team building – A corporate retreat would not be complete without some form of team bonding activity. But do away with the trust falls and immerse your group in the destination with activities that celebrate the local lifestyle. Newport Beach, CA offers a variety of team building challenges sure to get any group excited! From sailing to outrigger canoeing, standup paddleboarding to biking, there is sure to be an adventure that appeals to everyone.

Perhaps one of Newport Beach’s most unique teambuilding activities is a harbor scavenger hunt. This group adventure takes place aboard the sleek, electric Duffy boats that easily glide through the harbor. A Duffy scavenger hunt has teams racing through the water to retrieve clues, and then takes them to various landmarks around the harbor where they either collect scavenger hunt items or participate in mental team challenges to ‘win’ prizes. This is a great way to experience the destination, work together as a team and just have some plain old fun!

A Destination Partner specializing in unique ideas for corporate retreats

Trying to come up with unique ideas for corporate retreats is easy when you hold your meeting in Newport Beach CA. A mix of beauty, excitement, weather and lifestyle provide the ideal backdrop for a productive retreat.

When you’re ready to begin planning your next group meeting, contact the Conference Sales Team at Visit Newport Beach, the destination marketing organization for Newport Beach, CA. Visit Newport Beach opens the doors to this Pacific paradise with destination expertise, customized site visits, strong partnerships and resources that ease the planning process.