Find offsite spaces near me

If you search on the web and on social media, you'll find creative offsite meeting topics that other companies have used to keep their offsite meetings energized and productive. We've got our own favorite offsite meeting icebreakers, like having team members follow one another on social media or share pet photos from their phones. These lighten the mood but are still "low stakes"—i.e. they're not going to put anyone on the spot in an embarrassing way. For more serious discussions, use offsite meetings to discuss "big picture" questions about your organization. What is the most exciting initiative you're working on? What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? Where should your company be in five years?

Craft an agenda for the day that keeps everyone focused but keep it loose, and include downtime to relax in the space informally. Have good food, drinks, and snacks on hand throughout the day, fueling your team's best brainstorming. Again, be sure to choose a stellar offsite event venue that helps foster a creative, upbeat atmosphere. Solicit feedback at the end of your offsite to learn what works and what doesn't for your team, so the next offsite can be even better!

A few different characteristics make for the perfect offsite venue. Being a stimulating space is the most basic—visually interesting rooms tend to spark creativity and productivity. On the other hand, the space should also be comfortable and relatively informal since your team will be working in it throughout the day. Natural light is a strong benefit, or at least softer, eye-friendly lighting. Finally, look for an offsite venue that isn't overly cramped and that offers some privacy, too. Team members should be able to move around, take breaks, and not feel overly crammed in. The chances are good that there's a perfect offsite venue in your own backyard if you go looking for it.