Summer - corporate meetings season? Lots of folks are on vacation during the summer months, and it is not typically the biggest meeting season of the year. During the summer months, we see some team building trips and a variety of corporate events.
My suggestion for this summer if you are trying to plan a meeting is to opt for simplicity. Summer is an excellent time to plan a meeting that also makes your team feel like they are being rewarded for their knowledge, expertise, and hard work. Plan an off-site corporate meeting based around a great location or beautiful setting, where people can feel relaxed. I am not suggesting you take everyone on a free vacation this year, but I do think you will be pleasantly surprised if you take a slightly different approach.
Opt for a little less planning and structure and a little more for spontaneity, creativity, and pleasure. There are beautiful retreat locations, mountain cabins, lake houses, beach properties, and golf resorts all over the United States. I have a few suggestions of places you might want to consider for something a little different in an off-site meeting venue. These places won't break the bank, either:
Northeastern U.S.:
Consider a trip to the Poconos. These mountains are stunning in their beauty, and offer everything from hiking to fishing. The town of Hawley is in the northerneastern Lake Region of the Poconos Mountains and offers several great resort properties. Plan ahead, and choose a great escape from the city for your next corporate meeting.
West Coast:
Not far from Los Angeles is the town of Ojai, a great place to host a small off-site meeting. Ojai is home to Lake Casitas, which is a great place to spend a summer day. Ojai Valley Inn and Spa offers world-class golf. In fact, it was rated the #1 golf resort in California by Conde Nast readers. Ojai, California has summer festivals, a Shakespeare festival and offers you and your colleagues the opportunity to really get away for a few days.
Rocky Mountain Region:
In northern New Mexico is The Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino. In the town of Mescalero, just outside of Ruidoso enjoy an incredible retreat at the Inn of the Mountain Gods. The meetings facilities are top-notch. The golf course is excellent, and the setting could not be more beautiful. The resort is owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe as a world-class resort facility in the heart of the New Mexico Mountains. Skiing in winter, golf in summer, hiking, fishing, and gorgeous scenery make the Inn of the Mountain Gods an ideal choice for an off-site meeting.
I just gave you some of my ideas. Please contribute some of your own by commenting on this post. Remember to keep it simple this summer when it comes to meetings. A winning idea might come on the trail or at the lakeshore instead of at the conference table.
Patrick Soch, Senior Marketing Manager
Remember us out here in the midwest too! There are some great resorts "out here in the middle" that cater to businesses and families alike. Wisconsin Dells, Northern MN, Branson, Northern Arkansas are just a few destinations that come to mind.
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Posted by: nanda | June 14, 2007 at 04:22 PM
I recently attended a conference in Palm Springs and was amazed at how beautiful the city and event was. Right at sunset they had an outdoor cocktail party, surrounded by the mountains. Then a delicious full sit-down dinner. The event took place at the Esmerelda, a beautiful hotel in the desert. And the entertainment was out of this world! The company had flown in Broadway performers to do a 30 minute musical show. The name of the show was "Hot On Broadway" ...can't recommend it high enough!
Posted by: TroyR | June 01, 2007 at 02:42 PM
Great info, thanks a lot!!! I wish I will have such a writing skills.
Posted by: PODO | May 19, 2007 at 09:59 PM