How to prepare for attending a company retreat
How to prepare for attending a company retreat
BoomPop Team · 10/18/2022
Wondering how to prepare for a company offsite? Here’s a rundown of what to expect, along with a packing list of what to bring to a company retreat— so you’re ready for anything!
Shared experiences effectively heighten the camaraderie and collaboration within a team, whether you have a remote work setup or you see each other every day at the office. And what’s a better way to have these experiences than through offsites?
BoomPop takes you through the process of preparing for a company outing and packing essentials. This way, you know what to expect from offsites and retreats.
How to prepare for an offsite
The first thing about preparing for company offsites is to find out where the location is and take a look at the agenda. This will give you an idea of what the offsite experience might be like and help determine what you might need to bring.
Do some research your team’s offsite location
The destination for your next company retreat ultimately sets the tone for the event.
Some organizations always had offsites near their offices, or within a certain region where most employees live. That might make packing simpler, but if you’re going somewhere new, make sure to do some research on the climate and what to bring! Better to be prepared for anything.
Study the company retreat agenda
There’s no one way to hold a company offsite; these events are unique to every team’s objectives and goals.
A remote team that’s meeting each other for the first time, for instance, might have a completely different set of activities than a team that works on-site together every day.
Your organization, oftentimes with the help of event planners, are in charge of curating a detailed and foolproof plan to meet your team’s goals.
Usually, they’ll also handle the hotel bookings and transportation coordination, or at least give you a plan for how to do them yourself. All you have to do is attend, socialize with your teammates, and participate in the activities.
The kinds of activities at your event will make a huge impact on what you should bring. Obviously your work laptop and a notebook are great staples, but make sure you’ve reviewed your agenda carefully to be as prepared as possible.
Be receptive to the benefits of a company retreat
COVID-19 has proved that teams don’t have to see each other in-person all the time to establish a strong workflow. However, spending time together still has a positive impact on teamwork and team culture.
Before attending a company offsite, you have to manage your expectations based on your team’s goals and the offsite program. Approach each activity with an open mind so you can make the most of these benefits:
Establishing a stronger foundation for work relationships
Encouraging interaction that unlocks collaboration and creativity
Effectively engaging the entire team to develop new skills and strategies
Learning how each team member thinks, operates, and addresses challenges
Giving the team much-needed time away from work to de-stress and have fun
Keeping these benefits in mind can help you get the most out of the time you spend with teammates. While you might have tangible work responsibilities to attend to as well, try your best to prioritize connecting with colleagues.
What to bring to a company retreat
Now that you know where the next offsite will be and what activities will take place, it’s time to start packing your suitcase. Your organizer might provide some tips for what to bring, and feel free to ask if they haven’t—but here are a few suggestions to help you out.
What to wear to a company retreat
Offsites and retreats are often relatively casual, save for any particularly formal events that might happen during the event. That said, this will vary based on the culture of your industry and organization—so when in doubt about what clothes to bring to a company retreat, ask a colleague to provide examples.
Your suitcase should be full of clothes that fit these three criteria:
Adaptable
You never know when the vibe might go from casual to formal, or vice versa. Offsites often have a blend of co-working, meetings, fun activities, and communal meals all in a single day. You may or may not have time to head back to the hotel and change—so stick to staples that feel adaptable to a variety of settings. Keeping a nice blazer within reach can be an easy way to dress any outfit up or down.
Comfortable
As we described above, offsites tend to be varied, multi-component events. That means your comfort should be a priority. Don’t feel pressured to wear an uncomfortable suit or formal outfit that doesn’t feel “right” to you, take the time to shop around for options that blend comfort and style.
Expressive
Don’t be afraid to show off your personal style. These events are about getting to know each other, after all. Maybe fashion isn’t your forte, and that’s perfectly fine—but wearing your favorite band tee for a casual walk or throwing on an accessory that tells a story about you can be great conversation starters. Don’t shy away from adding a bit of character to your offsite wardrobe.
Choose Your Footwear Carefully
We can’t emphasize this one enough: put great thought into the footwear you’re bringing to your company retreat. You want to prioritize comfort and versatility, especially if you’ll be participating in team activities all day. The wrong pair of shoes could tire you out quickly and hurt your feet.
Regardless of the offsite location, you can never go wrong with a pair of white sneakers. Their timeless appeal looks great with any casual outfit; you can match them with business casual looks, too, if necessary.
Bring sandals or running shoes if your offsite activities are outdoors. And if you’re feeling comfy vibes, pack a pair of cozy slippers to let your feet rest while you’re in your hotel room.
Don’t forget your personal essentials
Like any trip, leave space in your suitcase for toiletries, skincare, and makeup products. A smaller travel bag or purse you can bring along to the office with mini essentials is great, too!
Otherwise, make you’ve got some entertainment like books or magazines to occupy your downtime, and a portable charger to ensure your devices always have enough juice as you’re getting through the day.
Enjoy your company retreat!
Company offsites and retreats help you see your teammates in a new light. As a result, you feel more connected with them regardless of how often you see them—virtually or in-person. Now that you know how to prepare for a company retreat and what to bring to a company offsite, focus on your shared experience by leaving the details to us.
Let our expert event planners handle the logistics so you don’t have to.
Featured resources
8 Steps for Planning Your Company Retreat
A resource for new organizers on creating fun, productive, and successful corporate events.
