Having a group of people working together as a team means greater efficiency and productivity for any company desiring success. Still, bonds between employees take time to develop so many companies organize team building activities or trips. They are designed to strengthen the relationships among individuals while having fun at the same time.
One of the main prerequisites for successful team building is choosing the right location. Here are five places whose various amenities and activity options make them ideal locations for a corporate group gathering:
Orlando, Florida
As one of the most popular convention cities in the U.S. and the home of more than 150 companies, Orlando is well-versed in catering to the business community. It has a 2.1 million square foot exhibition space, the second largest in the country, so companies can easily find a venue that will meet all their needs.
Orlando also has a great year-round climate, a wealth of local attractions and resort-like atmosphere that will encourage your corporate team to relax and unwind. And since the town is known as the theme park capital of the world, you can take advantage of fun team building opportunities in one of the many popular theme parks such as the Universal Studios and the Walt Disney World Resort.
Leisure time can be spent at the 260-shop Florida Mall that remains part of the city’s retail districts that encompass 50 million square feet. Or, if your team is into sports, you can round them up and head out to a professional sporting event at the Amway Center or the Camping World Stadium.
As for dining, there are hundreds of options ranging from burger bars, bistros and cafes to fine dining restaurants. The Four Rivers Smokehouse and the Paris Bistro are two favored locations.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is home to McCormick Place, the largest convention center in the country, and it boasts 2.6 million square feet of space and experienced event planners who welcome millions of business visitors annually. Amtrak, Greyhound Bus Lines and O’Hare Airport provide easy access to the metropolis along with many in-city transportation options. Group accommodation facilities are also conveniently located along scenic Lake Shore Drive.
The Art Institute, the Field Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry are but a few of the many fascinating attractions in Chicago that offer corporate team building activities and tours. Your team can also enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere of Navy Pier that offers unique entertainment venues along with the chance to see some of the most interesting places in the city while embarking on a river tour. And just like Orlando, Chicago is also a fantastic place to take your team to a sporting event. The city has a rich sports history and many famous teams like the White Sox, the Cubs, the Bears and the Bulls.
For a great team building dinner, Chicago style, head downtown to one of the places that serve the famous deep dish pizza. In addition to the downtown area dining options, many local neighborhoods feature the choice of specific ethnic cuisines.
Las Vegas, Nevada
With costs are often reduced to half or one-third compared to other major locations, Las Vegas is an incredibly affordable destination for conventions and team building events. The airport lies minutes from the heart of the metropolis, which is also well-served by various means of transportation that include buses, shuttles and taxis in addition to private transportation companies.
Even though Las Vegas is synonymous with gambling, its numerous casino resorts offer so much more. They are actually like self-contained communities that feature everything from accommodations and dining options to nightlife entertainment and shopping opportunities. During the day, they transform into venues for team building events such as themed casino parties or poker tournaments, as well as group meetings with high-tech audio/visual equipment and capable on-site technical staff.
While staying in Las Vegas, your team will also have the chance to dine in celebrity-owned restaurants and enjoy group visits to shows ranging from Broadway productions to Cirque du Soleil.
New York City, New York
New York City is considered the cultural, dining, entertainment, financial and retail center of the nation, so it has no shortage of fantastic and unique team building opportunities and convention venues. The Javits Convention Center easily accommodates both smaller and larger organizations with a space spanning more 814,000 square feet while three renowned airports provide hundreds of daily flights in and out of the metropolis. The city also has a fast and reliable mass transit systems that makes it fairly easy to move around.
Central Park and Chelsea Piers are excellent locations for outdoor team building activities while enjoying the venues’ natural beauty. A group trip to Times Square will afford your team the chance to see a Broadway show or shop in some of the country’s famous retail outlets. You can also take a ferry ride to the Statue of Liberty or tour the Empire State Building which offers amazing skyline views of the city’s most popular attractions. After an exciting and fun-filled day, the whole team can relax and unwind in one of the many cafes and restaurants that serve ethnic and popular dishes.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is a perfect place to organize a convention in an exotic setting or splurge on a unique, tropical team-building experience. It is home to the Hawaii Convention Center that remains a popular venue for hosting many world-class gatherings. The center is a wonderful blend of state-of-the-art technology and cultural ambiance complete with exotic landscaped courtyards, fishponds and waterfalls.
The highlight of Honolulu is Waikiki Beach that features a number of frequented resorts and also serves as the base for dining, shopping and nightlife ventures. Waikiki is located just a short distance away from Diamond Head Crater where your team will have a chance to work together to arrive at the peak and experience spectacular views. Besides hiking, Honolulu offers plenty of other outdoor team building activities. Group snorkeling and sea kayaking contests are definitely among the favorites.
If your team is in the mood for some history, Iolani Palace, the USS Arizona Memorial and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific are a must see. Visiting these iconic landmarks is a chance for everyone to learn more about the local and military history.
Team building strategies help companies succeed regardless of facility size or number of employees. Adventures that encourage teamwork boost company morale, enhance communication and provide motivation. While having a great time in one of the country’s biggest cities, your team members can get better acquainted and learn how to make the most of the group’s strengths while working on weaknesses.
Images: Author’s Own
