If you think planning a trip with your friends is hectic, try planning a retreat for a senior management team. One of the biggest worries that will likely occupy a planner’s mind is finding the right time to schedule an executive retreat.
Trying to avoid rookie mistakes and host an executive retreat that speaks to the team’s needs is a challenging task. This guide offers you an insight into how our retreat experts can help you set the schedule for a retreat through strategic planning while remaining objective.
Read on to find out more.
Why Do Executive Retreats Matter?
Before we begin the discussion of ideal timing for executive retreats, we must first highlight why executive retreats matter.
As professional executive retreat organizers, one of the most common mistakes we see leaders make is treating retreats like corporate events. This mindset can negatively affect and potentially ruin the experience, making the executive retreat a failed attempt.
To avoid this, we must identify the goals and meaning of executive retreats. Key elements of an exceptional executive retreat should be both a productive and relaxing experience.
At their core, executive retreats are a strategic tool for helping executive teams unite, build meaningful relationships, and have fun. Organizing a retreat is the perfect way to break the standard routine and foster engagement and productivity in a different location.
Overall, the true meaning of executive retreats lies in investing time and resources in your professional and personal growth, meaning planning this gathering and taking other considerations besides timing is crucial.
However, knowing when, where to plan an executive retreat and how to organize the entire setting is a work of art as it largely depends on leaders’ needs
Running a business while organizing this meaningful event can be a challenging task. This is why our TeamLodge retreat specialists are here to help plan and organize the executive retreat that is most suitable for you.
The Right Time to Schedule an Executive Retreat
Although some seasons might be more popular, there is no right time to schedule an executive retreat that is suitable for each individual’s needs. Generally, spring and autumn are the most popular options. However, many considerations must be reviewed before finding the best time of year for your leadership team.
Spring (March and April)
Spring is a good time to get your leadership team out of their winter boots to shake off the winter malaise. However, it is best to avoid the days near Easter as this holiday period is reserved for family gatherings. Although spring months offer plenty of sunny days, the weather can be tricky and unstable, so it is best to have a backup plan for the outdoor activities in your executive retreat agenda.
Off-peak season (May and June)
As we suggest to all our clients, May and June are great choices if you wish to take advantage of good weather. Still, they come with their downsides. For many companies and especially for senior-level executives, this can be a very busy period as many teams try to get as much work done before vacation season. In contrast, the biggest perk of this is that the prices are not as high as during vacation season.
Pre-holiday season (September and October)
Timing an executive retreat for September and October comes with benefits. It is highly likely that regardless of the location you opt for, your team of executives will enjoy pleasant temperatures. September and October offer a chance to dodge the busiest travel months and gather your team after their vacations.
This can be a good chance to reflect on business goals and prepare for the finale. As all experienced retreat specialists may tell you, this is standard practice for companies that wish to have their retreat before the holiday season steps in and familial commitments enter the scene.
High workload period
It’s worth noting that when trying to identify the ideal timing for executive retreats, executives should always look through the schedules of their companies. Scheduling the retreat after the busiest period can be very beneficial. The retreat can be calming and help the leaders de-stress and refocus.
What Should the Executive Retreat Agenda Include?
At TeamLodge, we know that executive retreats are designed for senior-level executives who play an important role in shaping an organization. This is why, when scheduling accommodation, we consider various considerations including the benefits of booking your off-site with TeamLodge.
Here are some of our top priorities for creating the executive retreat agenda:
Leadership development
Although executive retreats are not solely devoted to work-related tasks, they present a great learning opportunity for your organization’s leaders. Retreats are a chance for leaders to get together and dedicate their time to making plans for the business.
To respond best to business needs, each TeamLodge booking has two daily meeting setups. The setups offer perks like the internet and include beverages and catering.
Collective meals
Sharing a meal with other organization members can be a good way to bond and form long-lasting connections. Eating together may help reduce anxiety and can help create a more productive leadership team. With this in mind, we ensure regular meeting catering in all our venues.
Recharge time
It is worth noting that executive retreats may easily drain your energy. Spending much time on different activities, whether work or fun, may be overwhelming. Although being socially active can be exciting, too much action can be draining. It is a good practice to organize a schedule that allows executives downtime and space to reflect on the covered content and experiences.
At TeamLodge, we ensure all retreats include a dedicated corporate host available 24/7 to ease this organizing process. The host is there to ensure all team meetings are set accordingly and provide a schedule that balances work and leisure.
Entertainment
Planning activities that push your team out of their comfort zone is always a good idea. This will create a more unique experience and strengthen the bonds within the team. The TeamLodge activities and ideas we offer are designed to offer team members a unique experience and help build corporate loyalty outside the office.
All teams are assisted by an experienced tourist guide and led through the adventures safely. Your company leadership can enjoy reef snorkeling, playing golf near the stunning Punta Cana, or learning to ride the waves by booking a surf lesson.
Evening activities
While being active throughout the day is great fun, sometimes we all want to take the evening to loosen up. After finishing a long afternoon meeting, we offer teams the opportunity to enjoy a rum/cigar evening. This rum and cigar-tasting experience offers a relaxed ambiance and a chance for the leadership team to take the edge off with a dose of sophisticated pleasure.
How to Find an Organization to Facilitate Your Retreat
After choosing the right time for an executive retreat, the next step is finding an organization to host the retreat. Here are some of the most important factors you should consider:
Look for expertise
The capability to deliver a retreat experience heavily relies on an organization’s expertise. Look through the different offerings and choose a transparent organization for their retreats.
Compare costs and locations, and always pay attention to the team sizes they previously worked with. To learn more about our experience and review our portfolio, you can complete a form and submit a request through our website.
Alignment
Both sides need to be aligned for the retreat to succeed. This means the organization’s program, amenities, and retreat areas should suit your unique requirements. The best way to find out if TeamLodge is the right choice for your executive retreat is to schedule a call.
Experience
Finally, look through the credentials of the organization. For instance, TeamLodge is a proud GBTA and the American Society of Travel Advisors member.
Conclusion
Pinpointing the right time to schedule an executive retreat can be demanding. Organizing any event requires time and dedication, and this becomes increasingly difficult when trying to sync the schedules of the men and women in senior-level management.
The event timeline and location are directly linked to your company’s schedule. Generally, the most popular periods for executive retreats are those in early and late spring and autumn. However, we always advise clients to consider their needs and business goals before deciding.
