A corporate retreat is certainly not a new concept. But, when it comes to re-engaging your team members, we simply can’t disregard the positive impact of a well-planned corporate getaway. Even if these trips really are just productivity tools disguised as fun, they work! And, when done right, they can leave your team feeling truly inspired.
I was lucky enough to attend my first ever international corporate retreat in May 2025. It was certainly a nerve-wrecking way to meet my colleagues for the first time, to say the least! But, the trip also served as an eye-opening experience to the endless benefits of in-person connections. Read below as I explore why corporate retreats are making a serious comeback, how corporate gift baskets can be a driving force for success, and some reminiscing from my own experience!
Why Corporate Retreats Are So Back
Before the pandemic, remote work opportunities in the US only made up 4% of total available jobs. Today, the availability of remote work stands at 15%. And, while most experts say that the growth of remote work was inevitable, the pandemic certainly sped up the process. Amidst this increasingly hybrid and remote-first working world, opportunities for in-person connections seem to be few and far between. Thus, the age-old notion of togetherness has taken on a whole new level of importance.
For a company like ours (team members spread across continents and time zones) connecting in person goes beyond the hope for team building. During the time I spent with my colleagues in Asia, it was as if I could feel all of our internal compasses shifting in the same direction. The more time we spent together, the more we could cultivate the sense of community that comes from sharing a common goal. A feeling that, dare I say, feels rare in a borderline anti-social world.
In essence, I think corporate retreats are making a comeback because professionals want to see and connect with each other again. Just, perhaps for now, in a well-planned, all-expenses-paid setting.
How a Corporate Retreat Can Cultivate Collaboration
I have worked for Gift Baskets Overseas for about 3 years now. But, on our corporate retreat, some of my colleagues were surprised to learn that I was not a new hire. While it was certainly humorous, it also got me thinking about how a lack of face-to-face interaction can potentially lead to missed opportunities. Of course, this usually applies to remote teams, but large organizations may also fall victim to these occurrences.
When there are limited opportunities for cross department collaboration, a corporate retreat is a great way to get the important conversations going! And, apparently, establish your existence within your company. While there were incredible benefits to connecting with my immediate team, I also had the opportunity to meet and converse with other departments. The result? Re-establishing workflows that have boosted our productivity and improved our communication in the long term.
Today, I am in constant collaboration with team members who otherwise felt out of reach. And, I believe that it is in the organic and unstructured interactions (like casual walks between team building activities) where truly brilliant ideas are exchanged.
How to Plan a Corporate Retreat
Of course, you can’t simply rely on your team members to initiate these interactions. Making connections only becomes easier once we realize that, we really aren’t that different from each other. This is why you need to plan every step of your corporate retreat! Here are 5 simple steps to hosting the perfect corporate getaway:
1. Understand Your Goals
What is your intention for the corporate retreat? Are you tackling burnout after a demanding quarter? Or, are you hoping to spark collaboration between your team members? Stating your intention will shape every decision you make regarding the trip. From who attends to the types of team building activities you want to include.
2. Allow Time for Relaxation
As I mentioned before, some of the best brainstorming sessions actually happen when people are relaxed. Ensure that your corporate retreat includes both structured activities as well as time for rest. In Asia, our team participated in creative and engaging team building, but we also connected on an even deeper level during our free time (because we wanted to!).
3. Prioritize Inclusivity
Inclusivity doesn’t begin and end with bringing everyone to the same location. Making each team member feel included requires thoughtful planning. And, with an international team like ours, being mindful of different cultural norms is key to building trust and mutual respect. During our time in Asia, we were able to celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds that exist within our company with a cultural night! Team members brought sweets and other snacks from their home country, as well as shared a few fun facts about where they come from. This was the highlight of the trip for me as I was able to share lesser-known facts about my country, South Africa!
4. Choose the Right Destination
This step probably needs to be broken down into it’s own steps, but to keep it short, just remember that your intention will guide every decision you make. A cozy countryside venue may be the perfect place for what you hope to achieve. Or, cityscape with multiple team building opportunities may be more appropriate. The sweet spot is a setting that brings out the best in your team, but doesn’t overshadow the purpose behind the trip.
5. And, My Favorite, Encourage Gift-Giving
A gift-giving company encouraging gift exchange on a corporate retreat? Who’s shocked? As annoyingly on brand as this step may seem, our team truly does believe in the power of gifts! On the final day of our corporate trip, each team member exchanged a small gift. And this turned out to be one of the most memorable moments of the entire experience. Each one of us were able to go home with a keepsake — nothing too big or expensive, just thoughtful.
If you’re planning your own retreat, consider incorporating a gift exchange. It’s a simple, heartfelt way to end on a high note. And, it reinforces the idea that the connections you’ve built are worth celebrating and carrying forward.
Ready to Plan Your Own Corporate Retreat? Let’s Go!
At Gift Baskets Overseas, we believe business growth and people growth are inseparable. Our commitment to meaningful connection extends beyond how we treat our customers—it’s rooted in how we show up for one another.
Investing in our team’s happiness, creativity, and connection is a strategic decision. And judging by the success of our most recent trip, it’s a good one!
Thank you for exploring our Corporate Retreat tips! Here’s what to explore next:
- Read our blog about Empowering Women in Business.
- Shop business gift baskets for your next corporate retreat.
- Check out our business logo gift service!
Alex is a hopeless romantic who was supposed to be born in Italy (her dream destination), but proud to be South African nonetheless. She lives by her heart, and, consequentially, leaves a little bit of herself in everything she writes. She wholeheartedly believes that mermaids (and fairies) exist and is deadly afraid of the age ’30’.