International Retreat Planning Tips
International Retreat Planning Tips
BoomPop Team · 7/23/2024
Planning an international retreat for a large gathering can be intimidating. And for good reason. International retreats take us to unknown places, with different cultures, foods, and ways of doing things. Plus, they tend to be more logistically complicated. But international retreats also give way to some of the most exciting and remarkable trips you can give to your employees.
So if you’re considering hosting an international retreat for your company or team (which you should!), then check out our international retreat planning tips and tricks, which come directly from our team of BoomPop planners and designers.
The BoomPop events team have collectively orchestrated dozens of international events, and have learned a ton along the way to help ease the burden of international trip planning. And they are here to share their incredible advice with you in order to make your retreat a hit!
One crucial note before we begin - each country has its own laws and stipulations. So in addition to following our advice, please spend the time to look into the laws of the specific country you are considering). With that being said, here are some major takeaways to consider when whisking your team off to a new and exciting international locale.
Response Time Delays
We cannot stress enough the importance of giving yourself ample time to plan your international retreat. While there is lots of planning that you will need to do, you will also be reliant on the response times of your international vendors.
A common sentiment from BoomPop event planners is to expect significant delays in email responses from hotels and vendors outside the U.S.
In other countries, the work-life balance may differ from what we are used to in the U.S., especially regarding email communication. Vendors may be on the floor at the hotel, assisting guests onsite, and might not work after hours to respond to urgent emails. If necessary, you may need to pick up the phone during their working hours to garner a response/dependency.
While their non-urgency might suggest a lack of urgency in the in-person experience, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Many of these locations have perfected guest happiness and rely on international tourism.
We understand that sometimes you are forced into a time crunch. We have all been there! However, when planning internationally, we encourage you to allow time for inevitable delayed responses. We do not want you stressed!
All-Inclusive Resorts
When planning internationally, consider hosting your retreat at an all-inclusive resort. This will reduce the number of details you need to manage, which can be daunting even when planning in your own country, let alone another country.
All-inclusive hotels often offer:
Hotel shuttles to pick up guests from the airport.
Easy-to-manage food budgets and planning included with the nightly cost.
Onsite activities for your guests to enjoy.
This approach ensures a fun experience for everyone, not just the planner. Guests can easily explore the property, allowing you to plan off-property adventures without worrying about every detail. It’s a win-win and ensures every guest feels safe and secure!
Language and Cultural Differences
Is your team prepared for a major cultural immersion? Depending on your destination, consider whether your team is willing to stay in a place where English is not fluently spoken. Could this be an exciting opportunity for employees to learn some popular phrases in the local language?
Many places around the world have English speakers, but there have been times when leaving the hotel requires knowing a few phrases to get around. Your hotel team may be bilingual, but that doesn’t mean the location you’ve chosen has a high population of English speakers.
We’re Here to Help
We understand that planning an international retreat can be an immense project. That’s why we have a dedicated team of event planners to guide your upcoming travels. Our experts can handle everything from venue sourcing to activity coordination, allowing you to focus on fostering connections with your team. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Featured resources
8 Steps for Planning Your Company Retreat
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