Category: Event Planning

June 7, 2023

How Hybrid Corporate Retreats Help Connect Geographically Diverse Workforces

Corporate retreats are valuable opportunities that allow team members to collaborate, develop new skills, network, and take a break from their daily work environments. In today’s digital age, companies can hire talent from anywhere globally. Employee engagement has become a significant challenge as more companies adopt remote and hybrid workforces.

However, hybrid corporate retreats are gaining popularity among hybrid workforces. It combines in-person and virtual experiences to bridge the physical gap between team members in different locations.

Benefits of Hybrid Corporate Retreats for Geographically Diverse Workforces

There are numerous benefits of hybrid corporate retreats for geographically diverse teams. The following are some ways that mixed corporate retreats help to foster connections:

Inclusive Participation

Regional diversity among teams can lead to isolation and a lack of cohesive team spirit. Hybrid retreats allow employees from different locations and time zones to actively participate in team-building activities and networking. Remote employees can participate in the retreat and voice their opinions and perspectives.

Bridging the Gap

Working in geographically dispersed teams presents unique challenges in building relationships among colleagues. Hybrid retreats can allow employees to network and interact face-to-face, promoting unity and shared purpose. Employees get to know each other personally, leading to better communication and collaboration.

Increased Empathy and Understanding

When teams from different locations come together, they get a chance to understand each other’s work environments, challenges, and cultural perspectives. This sharing of experiences fosters empathy and breaks down biases and misunderstandings.

Teams learn to leverage video conferencing and collaborative tools through hybrid retreats to communicate seamlessly across different locations. Hybrid retreats are vital in enhancing effective communication practices in a geographically diverse workforce.

Collaboration and Team Building

Hybrid retreats also create a conducive environment for collaboration and innovation. By bringing together diverse perspectives and skills, employees can engage in brainstorming sessions, problem-solving activities, and workshops that promote creative thinking to generate fresh ideas.

Team building activities during hybrid retreats help strengthen teamwork. These activities encourage collaboration across locations, foster trust, and enhance cooperation among geographically dispersed teams.

Networking Opportunities and Relationship Building

During hybrid retreats, attendees can be put into virtual breakout sessions that divide them into smaller groups for discussions and group activities. This allows employees to connect with colleagues they may not have had a chance to meet otherwise.

Breakout sessions are an excellent opportunity to connect in-person attendees with their virtual counterparts. Team-building activities and social events create networking and relationship-building avenues, which foster trust, cooperation, and a sense of camaraderie among team members.

Knowledge Sharing and Company Culture

Hybrid retreats encourage sharing knowledge, expertise, and best practices across different locations. Attendees can present their projects, share insights, and exchange ideas, leading to knowledge exchange and continuous learning within the organization.

These retreats cultivate a sense of belonging among geographically diverse workforces. Employees who feel connected and valued are more likely to be motivated and loyal to the organization. Hybrid retreats help create a shared company culture, reinforce organizational values, and strengthen employees’ overall sense of belonging.

Discover the Power of Hybrid Corporate Retreats at Frogbridge Events

Are you looking to connect your geographically diverse workforce, foster collaboration, and strengthen team dynamics? Explore the transformative potential of hybrid corporate retreats at Frogbridge Events! We have experience planning corporate events for numerous Fortune 500 companies. We provide many options to customize your event to fit the needs of your company and your team.

Organizations can reap the immersive benefits of a cohesive and inclusive workforce by strategically combining in-person and virtual elements. Contact us online or call us at (609) 208-9475 to start planning a one-of-a-kind hybrid corporate retreat. Don’t miss this opportunity to revolutionize your corporate retreats and drive organizational success.

Joanna Brooks

May 10, 2023

Tips for Creating an Itinerary For a Company Retreat

There is a lot of planning that goes into creating your company retreat itinerary. Whether you’re looking to offer training in an unstructured atmosphere, improve company culture and boost morale with an offsite team building event, or simply get your whole team together after several months of being apart, a company retreat is definitely something to think about.

However, making the decision to invest in and take the plunge into a company getaway is the easy part. The challenging part is the planning. From sorting out logistics to choosing a destination, the entire process can be a bit overwhelming as well as time-consuming. Below you’ll find some tips that will help you create your itinerary for your company retreat.

Tips to Create Your Company Retreat Itinerary

Here are some tips that you can follow that may help you create your company retreat itinerary with more organization and ease.

1. Company Retreat Purpose

It’s important that you determine what the purpose of your corporate retreat is early on to ensure that this purpose will be supported by your itinerary. For instance, will you require team-building exercises? Will work-related discussions need to occur? What goals are you looking to accomplish with the retreat?

2. Company Retreat Goals

If team building is an important activity on your itinerary, it’s essential that you consider locations that will provide enough activities either in the hotel/resort or in the surrounding location. Some examples of activities may include:

Hiking
Yoga
Skiing
Boating
Water sports

If you’re looking to implement some morning teamwork and then enjoy a little afternoon downtime, it’s critical that you choose locations with work-friendly venues, such as suitable table space, fast internet, and more.

3. Company Retreat Duration

It’s essential that you carefully consider the duration of the event. Typically, it’s recommended that international trips last around a week to account for jet lag and travel time. For domestic trips, three or four days tends to work well.

If you’re planning a domestic trip but you have members of the team that are coming from overseas, it’s recommended that you fly them in one or two days early to give them more time to settle in. By doing this, you won’t have to increase the length of the trip for everyone (which will increase your expenses).

4. Company Retreat Location

The transportation to the retreat location is just as important to consider as the retreat itself. It may be in your best interest to find locations for your company retreat that are close to major airports and only require a short drive. This will help the members of your team feel more relaxed and excited that they’ll have more time to spend with their colleagues.

Keep in mind, if you have members of the team spread out all around the world, it’s a great idea to switch the locations up — this way, everyone will have the chance to take shorter flights.

5. Company Retreat Team-Building Activities and Recreation

Now, it’s time to plan out the fun retreat events and activities since you’ve gotten the difficult logistics out of the way. Plan out activities that you can do as a team. It’s best to book them in advance. Also, since this isn’t entirely a vacation but instead a company retreat, you can plan in team-building exercises and talks.

Some examples of retreat activities you might want to consider incorporating into your itinerary include:

Scavenger hunts where the members of your team will be broken down into smaller teams
Hiring an industry expert or motivational speaker to deliver a speech
Wine tastings or cooking classes with the option for individuals to opt out if they prefer not to be around alcohol
Hackathons where members of the team from various departments are put into a group to come up with a new product or business idea that they’ll present to the whole staff
Escape rooms where you’ll break your team members down into groups
Kickball, dodgeball, or paintball, where different departments will compete against others

If this is your first company retreat or you’re not sure where to start, you may want to look into services like Frogbridge Events. We can come in and help you plan out your dream company retreat itinerary while answering any other questions you may have.

Choose the Right Company Retreat Venue with Frogbridge Events

A big step towards a successful company retreat is planning out an itinerary that works with your and your team’s goals. It can be challenging to plan the perfect corporate retreat that will make everyone happy, especially if you’re on a tight budget. Let Frogbridge Events‘ highly-efficient team come in and handle the planning for you.

For your next company retreat to be a success, you’ll want to plan out a fun itinerary that will keep your employees engaged while fostering a sense of teamwork. Frogbridge Events specializes in planning out company events and retreats and can take the burden of your itinerary away from you. Call our team at (609) 208-9475 or fill out our contact form on our website for more information on how we can help you plan out your next successful company retreat.

Joanna Brooks

April 8, 2023

3 Reasons Why Accessibility Is Important During a Company Retreat

Not all concerns regarding accessibility are centered around ADA compliance and wheelchair ramps. There are many other forms of accessibility to consider as well. If you have members of your team that have special needs, it’s important that you ensure they’re already covered so they don’t have to approach you and ask. Also, certain members of your team may not be comfortable with things such as heights or noises. Learning these aspects ahead of time will make planning your retreat easier.

Your ultimate goal is likely to plan a company retreat that the members of your team want to actually attend. By asking for input from your team, it can help improve engagement and make your retreat more accessible. Today, accessibility is a topic of conversation that comes up often. Whether you’re hosting a retreat that will last for days or just an overnight event with a small meeting, you need to ensure your planning will provide all your attendees with an inclusive and positive experience. There are a number of reasons why accessibility is essential during a company retreat, which we delve into below.

Three Reasons Why Accessibility Is Important

Everybody who attends a company event should be made to feel welcome so they can enjoy all aspects of the event completely. A vital part of planning out your company retreat is ensuring that any attendees with disabilities are able to participate fully. Not to mention, the law requires that all public events are accessible to everyone.

Some reasons to ensure that your next company retreat is more accessible are:

1. It Will Address the Needs of Your Attendees

Your attendees will likely require something during the retreat that helps them enjoy the event more and have the ability to settle in. Each individual’s needs may vary, which is why it’s recommended that you ask them about any special requirements ahead of time and keep the lines of communication open for any concerns. This way, you can ensure they’re informed of what’s available or what may need to change.

2. It Will Help You Plan and Implement Inclusive Activities

Ensure competitions, breakout sessions, ice-breakers, and other event activities are also multi-sensory or accessible. Work with facilitators to make sure the mechanics and rules still enable people with disabilities to participate.

3. Enables You to Accommodate Individuals With Mobility Challenges

When considering mobility changes, you should think about more than just wheelchairs. Certain individuals with mobility challenges might use walkers, canes, or scooters. Others with mobility impairments might not need the help of assistive devices but may require extra space, time, support, or seating options.

Ramps don’t always solve all mobility challenges. For instance, an individual who needs to use a cane might find the stairs easier to navigate. Portable lifts might offer some individuals with better access. Also, those with chronic inflammation or arthritis might benefit from being allowed extra minutes between sessions since they might require a little time to rest as they walk.

Accessibility Is Imperative To Make Everyone Feel Included

From print materials, interpreter services, and seating to spaces for attendees to rest between each session, company retreat planning involves planning an event that’s accessible to all attendees.

It’s important that you keep all attendees in mind when planning truly inclusive events, regardless of the types of accommodation requests that you receive. You can reach out to disability organizations and groups for planning solutions and resources, and you should welcome any feedback from attendees (and act on it), as every event can be an opportunity to improve over your last event.

Make sure your attendees can put in requests for reasonable accommodations. These are adjustments to the environment that enable individuals with disabilities to fully participate. You’ll also want to reach out to your attendees and ask if they were able to participate fully and if they were comfortable.

Accessibility in company events and retreats is a must these days. With 15% of the population in the world experiencing some type of disability, it’s important to ensure your company events and retreats are inclusive and accessible. As the event coordinator, planner, and decision-maker, you need to plan your events with accessibility in mind.

Enlist the Help of Frogbridge Events to Create an Accessible Company Retreat

Planning a company retreat can be a challenging process when you’re attempting to make adjustments and incorporate new ideas for a broader audience. The good news is that you don’t have to do this challenging project all on your own. You can enlist the help of a team of experts who specialize in company retreats to help make sure your event is accessible.

At Frogbridge Events, we partner and work with organizations to help plan out their retreats and events while focusing on their primary goals to make every event accessible to their attendees. We can help you plan out an outstanding corporate retreat that’s ideal for all your attendees. Give us a call at (609) 208-9475 or use our contact form to talk with a professional for your next company event.

Joanna Brooks

March 6, 2023

How to Incorporate a Company Retreat Budget Into Your Company’s Yearly Budget

A memorable company retreat can be the ultimate difference between a dull, boring company and an interconnected, dynamic company culture. Company retreats are by far some of the best perks in the workplace available.

Company retreats have been shown to increase productivity, boost morale, help workers renew their enthusiasm for the job they do, and bring people together. While this sounds good in theory, there’s typically one question that comes to mind during the planning of a company event – how can the company create a reasonable budget for the company retreat? Below are five tips to help you incorporate a company retreat budget into your annual budget.

5 Tips to Incorporate a Solid Budget for your Company Retreat

The initial step in your attempt to run a fun, smooth, and productive company retreat is to look over your budget. Keep in mind, you don’t need a ton of money to create a memorable company retreat – you just need to do a little smart budgeting so you know precisely how much to allocate for each aspect of your event.

1. Set Goals and Requirements

Your goals will detail what you’re looking to accomplish during your company retreat and can also focus on the “vibe” of the retreat. On the other hand, the requirements are your must-haves. These typically detail things like space limitations, transportation, or even food allergies. Some goals you may wish to consider include:

Connecting new employees with colleagues in their own department
Creating an organic way for members of the team to bond outside the workplace
Announcing a new internal program launch
Bonding your remote team in-person

Factoring in certain goals and requirements can give you a good starting point.

2. Location

With location, this doesn’t necessarily mean the venue – it may also mean the town, city, province, or country where your offsite company retreat will take place. Depending on the location chosen, the costs of staying there, as well as the expense of getting there, will vary.

3. Implement the Quarter Rule

Regardless of how decisive you are on the amount you spend on your corporate retreat, it’s likely that you’ll fall into some confusion and doubt, particularly if you’re planning a retreat for the first time. To avoid this, you’ll want to split your retreat budget into several categories to ensure you’re accounting for all aspects of the event. These include transportation, accommodation, activities, and meals.

Once you put these components into place, it will be much easier for you to incorporate your retreat budget into your overall yearly company budget, and there won’t be any surprises later on. Strategically planning out your budget for your retreat will help you figure in expenses for things like daily meals and beverages, the length of the retreat, and costs of other activities.

4. Factor Miscellaneous Costs into your Budget

While it’s ideal to take all essentials into account that may constitute the company trip, you should also budget in any extra costs that could potentially arise down the road. You should allocate 5% of the company retreat funds into your budget plan as a substantial consideration. This will ensure you won’t need to dip into the finances you set aside for other aspects of the trip.

5. Compare All Your Options

You may also want to compare all cost options when budgeting for your company retreat. Doing this can help you ask essential questions that can make deciding on the location for your retreat accessible and decrease the expense of your budget. To choose a location that fits into your budget, you’ll want to compare several different locations and take into consideration the cost of their activities, meals, and accommodations.

Choosing the Right Retreat Venue

There’s no doubt that everyone would love to go on an amazing corporate retreat — and the venue is the biggest and most important component of this. Whether you’re planning on hiring out a converted facility event area for the day or investing in an overnight retreat at a spa resort, the venue is likely going to be what your team remembers the most.

Therefore, it’s always a good idea to do a small amount of benchmarking before you commit to any one venue to allow you to get the best price-quality ratio for precisely what you require. Some essential things to consider about the venue you choose include:

The amenities available
The accommodation choices it offers
Will the venue be able to cater to all of your requirements?
Is it difficult to reach?
What types of catering options do they provide?

These are only some of the many questions individuals will need to ask themselves when planning a retreat and choosing a venue.

Let Frogbridge Events Help You Plan Your Next Company Retreat

Planning and budgeting for a company retreat is challenging. Planning a corporate retreat on a budget can be particularly difficult. You need to secure a venue, arrange transportation, organize accommodations, and ensure you have everything you require to ensure your team has a good time. Fortunately, you don’t have to deal with all of these tasks by yourself.

Hire the professional services of Frogbridge Events to come in and coordinate everything you require for a fun and successful company retreat. Call us at (609) 208-9475 or fill out our contact form on our website to learn more about the variety of company event packages we offer, including planning out a company retreat on a budget.

Joanna Brooks

March 3, 2023

Five Accessible Games for Your Next Company Retreat

The inclusion of the entire team is one of the most important aspects of team building. When planning your retreat, you want to be sure that the activities that you choose do not exclude anyone with mobility issues or other special needs from participating. The whole idea of team building is demonstrating to your team the positive effects of working (and playing) together. Carefully choosing games that are tailored to everyone on your team is essential.

In order for any company retreat to be successful, all the participants must feel comfortable in the location, events, and team-building exercises. Some employees may hesitate to participate if their necessary needs make it difficult for them. Frogbridge Events can help you figure out how to incorporate accessible games into your next company retreat.

What Accessible Games Can You Incorporate?

There are many types of games that you may work into your corporate retreat that make them accessible for all. Some examples include:

1. Starting With An Ice Breaker

Depending on the size of your group, a great icebreaker is the “Who Am I?” game. Each employee is given a name tag that is pinned to their back. The name on the tag is that of a famous person or character. That employee must ask other guests questions about the person on their tag until they can correctly guess the name. For example, on Sally’s back is the name of Donald Duck. She might ask others if she is a real person or a fictional person. Is she male or female? Old or young? Limit the questions to one per person so everyone must speak to multiple employees. You can give prizes for the quickest guess, the most questions asked, or even the name who best represents the employee.

2. Getting to Know You

This game is especially fun if your employees are a bit unfamiliar with each other. You can describe something about one of the employees and everyone must guess who you are describing. The more obscure the fact, the better. If you are bringing together salespeople from across the country who seldom get to interact with each other, it can be fun and very interesting to see what they would guess. An example would be, “This person has been to all fifty states.” Each person would write down who they think that would be. The one with the most guesses wins and can receive a prize.

3. A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Depending on the size of your group, split into teams of five or six people. You could play a company version of Pictionary, where the teams guess what one member is drawing. Get creative with words that have some connection with the company, such as the location, what they do, or something familiar to employees. You can also choose from movie titles, current events, or famous names or places.

A variation of this for larger groups is charades, where one person acts out the clue and the others must guess the word or phrase.

4. Truth or Lies

Truth or Lies is a great game for everyone and is perfect for getting to know others on your team. Each member of the team writes down four statements about themselves. Three of the statements are false and one is true. The team members must guess which is the truth and which are lies. By making the truth obscure enough that others will not guess, the team members will then know a hidden fact about their teammates. This is especially fun when all the members are somewhat familiar with each other.

You can also change this game up by giving participants four statements, with only one being true. They could center around their location, their company, or even their boss.

5. Learn Together

Classes are a great way to bond with others. Though not really a game, it can be fun and rewarding. Consider a painting class, for example. Instead of having everyone paint the same object or scene, have them paint different items that somehow fit together. This requires teams to create a storyline and work together to tell the story.

Other learning opportunities may include collecting and identifying plants or leaves and scrapbooking them, planning a menu and preparing the meal, setting up an ice cream or hot chocolate bar, and preparing food for other teams or any number of ideas that can be fun while learning something new.

The Expert Event Planners at Frogbridge Events Can Help Plan Your Company Retreat

At Frogbridge Events, our event planners can help plan your next company retreat and help you organize an event for all your attendees, regardless of their special needs. We can customize an event, designed just for you on our 86-acre resort, which highlights the beauty and natural wonder of all that the garden state has to offer.

Whether you are planning for a small group or for a larger crowd, our event planners can find the activities and settings chosen just for you. Call us at (609) 208-9475 or contact us to get started.

Joanna Brooks

February 9, 2023

The Importance of Considering Accessibility When Planning a Corporate Retreat

One of the most overlooked problems in planning corporate retreats is considering accessibility. Businesses are required to take accessibility into account to accommodate employees with specific needs. However, they often forget to include those accommodations when planning events. Not only can this be a legal or ethical problem, but it can also undermine the goal of bringing everyone together at the corporate event.

Fortunately, this is an easy problem to resolve. All you have to do is implement accessibility guidelines in the event based on your employees’ and company’s needs. Here is a deeper look at the importance of considering accessibility when planning a corporate retreat.

What Does Accessibility for Events Mean?

Accessibility for events means that event planners should consider the needs of people with disabilities when planning an event. This includes creating a checklist to make sure that all different types of disabilities are taken into consideration and providing necessary accommodations. An accessible event is one in which people with disabilities can participate fully, meaning they have access to the same resources and services as everyone else.

To create an accessible event, planners must be aware of different types of disabilities and use this knowledge to provide appropriate accommodation. Event planners should also make sure they are aware of any relevant laws or regulations regarding accessibility so they can ensure their event is compliant and everyone attending is safe and comfortable.

Why Is Providing Accessibility During Your Event Important?

Providing accessibility during an event is essential to ensure that individuals with disabilities can participate in the event. By addressing accessibility issues and meeting the accessibility needs of those with disabilities, organizers can create an inclusive environment that allows everyone to participate and be involved. Accessibility includes providing physical access to the event venue, offering information in accessible formats, providing sign language interpreters, and more.

It is also important to provide trained staff who are knowledgeable about disability-related issues to ensure that individuals with disabilities feel welcomed and supported. Providing accessibility during events shows respect for all individuals, regardless of their ability level. It also helps create a safe space for everyone to connect, share ideas, and foster meaningful relationships.

What Kind of Accommodations Are Best for Corporate Retreats?

Providing accessibility during an event is essential because it ensures that individuals with disabilities are not excluded. Accessibility involves making sure all attendees have equal opportunity to enjoy the event and its services, regardless of any disability or accessibility issue they may have. Every individual should be given the chance to participate without having to worry about accessibility needs. This can include providing assistive technology, accessible seating, and proper signage.

Moreover, it’s important to consider how individuals with disabilities may be impacted by loud noises, bright lights, and other factors that could affect their experience negatively. By providing accessibility during your event, you can ensure that everyone has an enjoyable experience regardless of their individual abilities.

Accessible Event Planning Guidelines

Accessible event planning is essential in ensuring an inclusive and accommodating atmosphere for guests with disabilities. When planning an accessible event, event planners should provide access to all aspects of the event, including captioning, sign language interpreters, and accessible seating. It is also important to ask guests upfront if they have any special accommodation needs and provide them with information on how to request additional services that may be needed.

Additionally, for those who are hard of hearing please contact a local sign language interpreter for assistance. By following these guidelines, event planners can ensure that their events are fully inclusive and accessible to all attendees. An inclusive event provides attendees with a sense of inclusion and belonging that can be beneficial to everyone involved.

Proactive Accessible Event Checklist

Creating an accessible event is a proactive process that involves creating a checklist of accessibility considerations. This checklist should include accommodation for individuals with disabilities, providing captioning, properly equipping the event venue, and ensuring the presenter is accessible. It is also important to ensure any larger events are physically accessible by providing ramps, elevators, and proper seating arrangements.

An event checklist that incorporates these considerations can help ensure an accessible event for all participants. Furthermore, it is essential to put in place a system that allows individuals with disabilities to easily make requests or reservations for special accommodations. Ultimately, this will help ensure the success of an event by making sure individuals with disabilities have access to the same experiences as everyone else.

Avoid Event Planning Mistakes With Professional Help

There is a lot of forethought and coordination that goes into the planning of corporate events. The easiest way to avoid planning mistakes is to get professional help from a company like Frogbridge Events.

We work with companies to plan and execute corporate events that align with their goals and wow their attendees. Years of experience mean we know what the worst event planning mistakes are and how to easily avoid them. Work with Frogbridge Events by calling us at (609) 208-9475 to plan a more accessible corporate event that everyone can enjoy.

Joanna Brooks

February 4, 2023

How to Host a Game Night for Your Company Event

Hosting a game night for your company event is an excellent way to get your employees engaged and have some fun. To start, you’ll need to plan out the type of games you would like to include as part of the corporate event. Depending on the size of your company, you may want to select a few team-based board games that can accommodate larger groups, or you can opt for a more intimate card or trivia game.

For some ideas on how to host a game night for your next company event, here are some guidelines to get started.

Benefits of Hosting a Game Night for a Company Event

Hosting a game night for a company event can be a great way to boost morale and encourage teamwork. It’s also an effective way to increase engagement among employees and help them build relationships outside of the workplace. Games like trivia, charades, or even simple board games can provide a fun and entertaining atmosphere while helping employees get to know each other better.

When planning how to host a game night, it’s important to choose activities that are suitable for all ages and abilities. You may also want to consider providing refreshments and snacks as part of the event so that everyone can enjoy themselves without feeling too full or too hungry. Hosting a game night for your company event is sure to bring people together in a unique way, creating lasting memories and fostering collaboration among employees.

Choosing a Venue for Your Company’s Game Night

When it comes to hosting a game night for your company event, you may be wondering how to choose the right venue. It is important to consider the amount of space needed, budget, and what type of games will be played. If you are looking for a larger location, you should look at venues such as community centers or bars. These locations usually offer more room with varying levels of cost depending on the day and time.

If your game night is more intimate, then you could rent out a private room at a restaurant or cafe. This type of space will provide a comfortable atmosphere with plenty of space to play games without feeling cramped. Anywhere that has plenty of tables and seating options would be ideal for this kind of event.

Selecting Games for a Company Game Night

There are many things you need to consider when selecting games for your company game night. First, think about the size of your group and the types of people that will be attending. This will help you determine what type of games you should select. Make sure to choose something that everyone will enjoy and find engaging.

Next, think about how long the event will last and what is the optimal length for each game so that it doesn’t drag on too long. Try to pick games that are simple enough to learn quickly but have enough depth to keep people entertained throughout the entire game night. One exciting option to consider is the american roulette online game. With its iconic spinning wheel and betting options, it adds a touch of glamour and suspense to any game night. Plus, with its straightforward rules, players can quickly grasp the basics and start enjoying the game.

Include Decorations and Refreshments

Decorations and refreshments can be an important part of the planning. Depending on your budget, decorations can range from simple streamers and balloons to themed tablecloths and custom centerpieces. Refreshments can be as simple as pre-made snacks and soft drinks, such as chips, pretzels, popcorn, and soda. For larger events, catering is always an option. Consider finger foods like mini quiches, sliders, sandwiches, and wraps that are easy to eat while socializing or playing games.

Make Game Night a Hit With Help from Frogbridge Events

Game night can be a hit if you plan it right, but you may need help planning events. Making corporate events work the way that you want them to can be surprisingly tricky. Fortunately, you can get help from professionals so that your corporate events are perfect every time.

At Frogbridge Events, we specialize in planning corporate events. We take your event ideas and goals and turn them into an event that your staff won’t forget. Before you start planning your next event, give us a call at (609) 208-9475 so we can help you get all of the details right.

Joanna Brooks

December 15, 2022

6 Ways to Encourage Shy Employees to Participate in Company Activities

Corporate retreats help build your employees’ morale, improve collaboration, and increase productivity in your business. However, you’ll have to find ways to engage all your employees to achieve these benefits, as participation is a key part of the success of any company activity or task.

Most company events are designed for an engaged workforce, which is fine for extroverts, but not for employees who may have a shy disposition. Unfortunately, shy employees may need help to actively participate in company activities. Frogbridge Events can help you engage all of your employees, along with assisting with any other questions you may have.

6 Ways to Encourage Shy Employees to Participate in Company Activities

As a business owner or manager, it’s best to know how to get all your employees excited about your events and how to make them comfortable enough to participate. Here are six ways to encourage shy employees to participate in your company’s activities.

1. Host Events They Are Comfortable With

Shy employees are more likely to engage in activities they are familiar with and comfortable with. Therefore, when planning a corporate retreat, you should ask all your employees what they might want to do so that you can choose accessible activities that everyone can enjoy and excel in.

It’s also important to involve your shy employees in the planning process. Let them make crucial decisions like the event format, time, location, and catering. A person is more likely to participate in company activities they planned themselves. Additionally, you should take time to understand situations that make your shy employees feel threatened and provide better alternatives. The goal is to ensure company activities meet the needs of all employees, including shy ones.

2. Create a Safe Environment

Your company events should also have different ways for employees to be engaged. Rather than forcing employees to participate in things they are uncomfortable with, provide options so that all employees can contribute in a way that’s most comfortable for them. When shy employees feel more in control, they’ll overcome their fears and feel more confident when participating in an activity of their choice.

Giving them choices creates a safe environment for them to overcome their fears and have fun. The more opportunities shy employees have to engage, the more comfortable they will be participating in company activities.

3. Limit Group Members

Team-based activities are a great way of making your company retreats memorable and enjoyable. However, some shy employees may have difficulty participating in crowded environments. Therefore, when sorting your employees into teams, you’d want to limit the number of participants in them. This will encourage all the team members to participate in the given activities.

When creating teams, assign shy employees to colleagues they are most comfortable working with. Having familiar faces around them allows them to thrive, have fun, and enjoy the opportunity altogether. Alternatively, you can simply allow them to choose their team partners. Team building activities featuring smaller groups of people foster collaboration and allow the shyer members to break out of their shell.

4. Share the Plans in Advance

Quiet people don’t like surprises and usually feel intimidated when suddenly put into the spotlight. They need time and space to prepare and plan for things, rather than deal with surprises. Therefore, throwing new activities at them may significantly discourage them from participating. Share the agenda in advance of whatever company activities you plan on doing so that your shy employees can mentally prepare themselves for the big day.

You should keep them informed as much as possible and let them know in case of any changes. When the day comes, they will be well-prepared and ready to engage in the activities planned for the retreat.

5. Use Incentives

Incentives can help encourage almost every employee, including the shy ones, to participate and feel motivated. By incorporating incentives such as gift cards, movie tickets, free meals, and coffee mugs in your company event, you’ll not only bring them to the event, but also encourage them to engage.

You should ensure that the incentives align with what your employees care about. This ensures that you select an incentive that shy employees find truly motivating, which may involve some research and planning.

6. Foster Cooperative Competition

Sometimes your shy employees need a little push to get out of their comfort zone. Therefore, your company retreat should include engaging and competitive activities to motivate and inspire your employees to achieve certain goals. This creates a healthy competition that allows your employees to encourage each other, achieve milestones and celebrate successes.

Many people enjoy activities that allow them to win and outdo others. Therefore, as positive peer pressure and polite competitiveness take over, your employees will be more motivated to participate in company activities.

Contact an Experienced Corporate Event Planner at Frogbridge Events

Participating in company activities can be a huge challenge for shy employees. They tend to feel more uncomfortable in various social circumstances and are mostly seen as actively disengaged employees. However, you can engage them by planning an introvert-friendly retreat. That’s why you should let corporate event planning experts at Frogbridge Events handle everything for you.

We have the facilities to help you create a welcoming experience for all your employees. Call us today at (609) 208-9475 or contact us online to talk with one of our event planning experts to learn how we can simplify your retreats and encourage employee participation.

Joanna Brooks

Diverse group of friends cleanup a park during a charity event

November 10, 2022

Budget-Friendly Retreat Ideas for Non-Profits

Your team has worked diligently to fulfill your mission all year, from doing weekly food drops to even participating in early morning car washes in order to fundraise. The majority of your non-profit’s budget is allotted to your programs, but you still want a day to celebrate the people who make your organization’s mission possible and keep up the morale for future successes. Your team needs to feel appreciated and have the opportunity to provide feedback so your organization may continue to grow.

With a little time and effort, you can trade in your next quarterly meeting for an organization-wide retreat that focuses on your team and do so without breaking the bank.

3 Fun Retreat Ideas That Won’t Break The Bank

A retreat is a great way for a non-profit organization to relax, regroup, restrategize, and also plan their fundraising goals for the rest of their fiscal year. It does not have to be too expensive but can still be fun, celebratory, and productive! Here are some foolproof ways to host a budget-friendly retreat:

Company Picnic

As the saying goes, the way to people’s hearts is through their stomachs. Treat your own team to an outdoor company picnic. Enjoying a communal meal outside while discussing the non-profit’s goals and strategies is a relaxing and effective way to spend the day while still focusing on your company’s mission.

If you are really tracking this year’s budget, make the picnic a potluck and have everyone bring their favorite side dish to share with others and enjoy! Additionally, many donors might be interested in sponsoring the lunch.

Physical Activity

Balancing all the responsibilities that come with a non-profit organization can be stressful, and sometimes you just need to shake it off.

Planning a day outdoors with a game of volleyball or golf included can do wonders for your team’s mood and spirit. If a big game of two-hand touch football doesn’t quite fit the vibe of your organization, that’s fine! You can still get up and leave the desk behind for a day with less physically demanding events like a scavenger hunt or board games. Consider making the games specific to your organization, and personalize each event to optimize the bonding experience. After relieving some stress, the team will be energized to begin strategic planning!

Anything That Is Not The Office

At the end of the day, any activity or event dedicated to your team and their successes will make a difference. Your non-profit organization is composed of committed volunteers and people who have dedicated their lives to your mission. The growth of your organization and fulfillment of your goals is why they are there in the first place. Here are a few free or relatively-inexpensive places to hold a retreat that are not the office:

Local park
Library
Coffee shop
Local restaurants
Church

The younger your organization, the less money you have allotted toward your team, and that’s okay. But making sure they feel appreciated and involved in the decision-making process is key, and you can do that from anywhere.

Let New Jersey’s Frogbridge Events Do The Planning For You

Planning the perfect retreat for your organization can be tough, especially with a budget restraint. Take the stress away and let Frogbridge Events’ dedicated team worry about the details. We plan all of the activities and have an extensive menu to choose from, so all you and your team have to do is relax!

For information today on how to make the most of your retreat day, please call us at (609) 208-9475 or use our online contact form.

Joanna Brooks

October 26, 2022

3 Creative Retreat Ideas for a Non-Profit Staff

If you’re hoping to foster relationships among your team, strengthen trust, and help generate fresh ideas for projects and initiatives, consider planning a creative retreat for your team. Not only does this provide an opportunity for members of your team to get away from their day-to-day work, but it also allows you and other team members to develop new ideas for projects and initiatives in the future.

Volunteers, interns, and staff members have different needs when working in a non-profit organization. Because of this, it’s essential to find activities that cater to the interests of everyone in your office. With so many different creative retreat ideas, narrowing down which one will best suit your needs can be challenging. Check out these great ideas for creative retreats that could easily be adapted for your non-profit staff.

What Makes a Good Team Retreat?

A good team retreat for non-profit organizations should allow the team to brainstorm new ideas, escape the everyday grind, and experience something new together. Some great retreat ideas include ropes courses, escape rooms, and other fun activities that help build teamwork and communication skills. Good retreat planning includes ensuring enough time for the team to bond and relax and time to focus on work goals.

Plan a Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Retreat

Consider planning a non-profit retreat that’s sustainable and eco-friendly—planning a non-profit staff retreat that is sustainable means incorporating best practices into the event from start to finish. This includes everything from how the event is marketed, to what type of food and drink is served, to how waste is managed.

Event planners should work with the non-profit leaders to determine the goals for the retreat and then use that as a guide for making decisions about all aspects of the event. For example, if the goal is to build team cohesion, then activities and programming should be designed with that in mind.

It’s also important to think about sustainability when it comes to budgeting for the event. Many non-profits have limited resources, so it’s important to consider how those resources are allocated. One way to do this is to seek sponsorships or partners who can help offset some of the costs associated with the retreat.

By being mindful of sustainability from start to finish, event planners can help create a retreat that is enjoyable for attendees and has a positive impact on the environment.

Plan for an Art Class

If you’re looking for a fun and creative way to add some excitement to your next non-profit retreat, consider offering an art class. It’s a great way to get everyone involved and thinking outside the box. Plus, it’s a great way to support your local artists and businesses. All you need to do is plan and find a reputable instructor.

Invite Family and Play Family-Friendly Games

Planning a family-friendly game during your non-profit retreat can help engage staff members and invite families to participate. Including staff members’ families in the game can create a more fun and relaxed environment for everyone to enjoy.

Get Help Panning a Great Non-profit Retreat

A creative retreat can be a great way to improve performance in your company. The key is ensuring you have access to resources that make the stay enjoyable and productive for staff members.

Suppose you want to ensure that your next creative retreat is perfect; partner with Frogbridge Events. We are focused on making it easier for companies to plan corporate events. Call Frogbridge Events at (609) 316-5901 to schedule a consultation or contact us here.

Joanna Brooks

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