In 2023, offsite company retreats have become increasingly popular for several compelling reasons.
Firstly, company retreats offer opportunities to upgrade the workforce. These retreats often include activities aimed at fostering self-awareness, team bonding, and personal growth. Employees may participate in personality quizzes and exercises to understand their unique strengths and communication styles, leading to more effective collaboration within the team. Moreover, guest speakers may provide valuable insights and healing exercises, empowering employees to improve their effectiveness and happiness. Companies that invest in these enrichment experiences can attract and retain top talent as employees seek more than just a competitive salary, valuing personal growth and development in their employee experience.
Secondly, company retreats can leverage impact. These events provide a platform to share and celebrate organizational achievements, team-wide successes, and individual contributions. Bringing everyone together in one room fosters a sense of camaraderie and excitement about the company's accomplishments, motivating employees to be part of its continued success. In contrast to remote or virtual appreciation, in-person celebrations can be more impactful, inspiring employees to achieve even greater levels of effectiveness.
Thirdly, company retreats punctuate purpose. Amidst the daily office routine, the company's overarching purpose can sometimes get lost. Retreats allow businesses to refocus on their mission and rally employees around the "why" behind their work. This emphasis on purpose attracts top talent who seek more than a paycheck; they desire to be part of an organization with a meaningful and fulfilling mission. By taking time away from the daily grind to reaffirm their purpose, companies stand out as desirable places to work, reinforcing the idea that employees' contributions matter beyond their work outputs.
When it comes to initiating a company offsite, one of the challenges is finding suitable hotels. This is because platforms like Booking.com or Expedia do not facilitate group travel arrangements, and planners need to directly send RFPs (Request for Proposal) to hotels. In such situations, tools like Speed RFP and Retreat come in handy. These platforms offer convenience by streamlining the process of sending RFPs directly to hotels, making it easier for planners to find and book the ideal accommodations for their group travel needs.
What is SpeedRFP?
SpeedRFP is the world's first universal Request for Proposal (RFP) system developed by Elite Meetings International. It aims to simplify and expedite the RFP process for meeting professionals, making it fast, free, and user-friendly.
Meeting professionals can preload account and event information to easily submit RFPs to any SpeedRFP-enabled hotel without rekeying data.
Planners can manage all their RFPs from a single platform, streamlining the organization and tracking of their requests.
SpeedRFP seamlessly integrates into the hospitality suppliers' websites, working alongside existing RFP forms, and offers increased visibility to the SpeedRFP planner network without charging any commission or transaction fees.
Planners can also attach their own RFP form to the system.
SpeedRFP is a tool that fosters better business connections between planners and providers.
It is completely free to use.
What is Retreat?
Retreat is an IATA-accredited travel agency that specializes in uniting distributed teams through organizing off-site retreats. They provide an end-to-end company offsite planning tool with a sophisticated design and the following features:
One-click RFP submission: Customers can easily send Requests for Proposal with just one click.
Automated follow-ups: Retreat sends prompt follow-ups, enabling customers to receive proposals faster than anywhere else.
All-in-one software: Retreat offers a comprehensive software solution that includes not only hotel bookings but also flight reservations, participant management, and activity bookings.
IATA license benefits: As an IATA-accredited agency, Retreat can offer hotel recommendations at discounted prices.
Site visit service: Customers planning off-sites for 30 people or more can utilize the site visit service for free, including travel expenses.
On-site concierge support: Experienced concierges are available on-site to support and assist with customers' off-site events.
Dedicated planner: Each customer is assigned a dedicated planner to provide comprehensive support throughout the planning process.
Why Retreat Is The Best Alternative
Retreat excels over SpeedRFP for several compelling reasons, making it the superior choice for organizing off-site retreats.
Firstly, while both platforms offer assistance in planning off-site events, Retreat provides an all-in-one solution that goes beyond just RFP submissions. With Retreat, customers can not only send RFPs with a single click but also manage flight reservations, participant details, and activity bookings seamlessly within the same platform. This comprehensive approach streamlines the entire planning process, saving time and effort for the customers.
Secondly, Retreat's IATA accreditation sets it apart by enabling access to exclusive benefits. As a licensed travel agency, Retreat can offer discounted hotel prices, providing customers with more cost-effective accommodation options. This advantage can significantly impact the overall budget and ensure a better value for money for the off-site experience.
Furthermore, Retreat goes above and beyond in customer support. With the option to have an experienced on-site concierge for assistance during the off-site event, Retreat ensures that customers have dedicated support throughout the entire process. This personalized touch and hands-on support contribute to a smooth and successful off-site experience.
Considering these exceptional features and benefits, Retreat emerges as the ideal choice for companies seeking to organize unforgettable off-site retreats. To explore the full potential of Retreat's services and enjoy a seamless planning experience, we strongly encourage you to reach out to Retreat's team of experts. Get in touch with them today and discover how Retreat can elevate your off-site event to new heights of success and satisfaction. Contact Retreat now and take the first step toward an extraordinary off-site retreat for your team!