It is common knowledge among great leaders that corporate retreats are one of the best strategies for cultivating professional relationships that enhance collaboration, creativity, and morale in the workplace. Getting outside of the normal work environment evens the playing field, providing the opportunity for relaxed interaction and a breath of fresh air that encourages the flow of ideas and often a shift in perspective. If one of your company retreats is around the corner, we’ve covered a few excellent options in Lincoln that are a must to consider!
Hit the Lanes With Your Team
A popular American pastime that has brought people together since the early 1900’s, bowling still remains an excellent way to gather together for friendly competition, conversation and entertainment. However, with all of the modern amenities and technology incorporated into contemporary bowling alleys, there’s more to enjoy now more than ever before.
“If you’re looking for a different kind of company retreat, 48 Bowl centers — Parkway Lanes and Hollywood Bowl — offer a relaxed atmosphere with unique activities,” says Jennifer Davis-Korn of 48 Bowl. “Of course we offer bowling at both centers, but we also have pub games like darts, pool and bean bags at our Hollywood location. Use of our lanes, meeting rooms or bar area includes Wi-Fi, sound system, projector screen, and more. Your retreat can include bowling as a warm up, wrap up, or main feature activity, but it doesn’t have to! We’ve also hosted team meetings for companies with simple refreshments or catered meals only. We strive to keep our centers full, but can offer your group quiet spaces away from the noise of bowling if needed.”
She adds, “Some things to consider when booking a company retreat are date, time, budget and special accommodations. Before calling to book your event, knowing the date(s) and time(s) you are thinking about booking is helpful to our staff. We can take a look at our calendar and help you choose the time that best fits your group and our availability. If you would like to offer food or beverage – or simply have it available for your group members to purchase – this is also helpful so that we can be appropriately staffed and stocked. If you think you might like to offer bowling and food but aren’t sure if it fits your budget, you might be surprised. We’ll work with you to maximize your company’s dollars. Lastly, if your group needs any special accommodations like internet access, projector screen, sound system or more, let us know and we can make those arrangements.
To book an event or if you have further questions, contact the center you’re interested in. For Hollywood Bowl, call (402) 466-1911 and ask for Chris or email chris@48bowl.com. For Parkway Lanes, call (402) 483-7763 and ask for Terri Jo or email tjpodraza@48bowl.com.”
As bowling is America’s largest participation sport, with more than 70 million people bowling at least once a year, it appeals to a large variety of people. “The great thing about bowling is that no matter your age or skill level, everyone can participate,” explains Brian Kleinknecht of Sun Valley Lanes. “It’s a great way to initiate team building or just to have fun! Most of the company events we hold at Sun Valley Lanes are based on a package of bowling and food. We take pride in offering a very modern bowling environment with several non-traditional bowling games to choose from as well. Our catering options consist of several pre-designed packages as well as the ability to customize based on a company’s individual needs.
We are a state-of-the-art bowling facility and recently completed a major renovation project, which includes all new bowling center furniture, carpet and décor and modifications so that our venue is wheelchair friendly. With the recent opening of our brand new arcade and redemption center, we welcome events that incorporate these as well.
Above all, no matter the size of your company or event, we can create something to suit your needs and budget. If you are thinking about having a company party yet this summer, we have very competitive off-season rates and flexible dates and times to offer. We are the place where you can Meet, Eat and Compete!”
Get Creative by Incorporating the Arts
When it comes to encouraging creativity, critical thinking and freedom of expression, the arts rank high on the list of strategic ways to cultivate the flow of ideas. The best part about incorporating the arts into your company retreat is that there is always something new and different to try out for your next event.
Live entertainment can take an event from merely memorable to unforgettable and The Lied Center for Performing Arts, well known as Nebraska’s Home for the Arts, is opportunely located right here in Lincoln.
“The Lied Center has many versatile spaces that are perfect for a variety of group sizes,” explains Bill Stephen, Executive Director of the Lied Center for Performing Arts. “Groups can even choose to utilize several spaces at once including the Lied Commons, Steinhart Room, Johnny Carson Theater, Katherine Hendy Parker Lobby and Main Stage Auditorium.
With our incredible venue and a wealth of new performances each season, there are certainly a lot of different options available at the Lied. Companies can arrange to hold their parties in one of the Lied Center’s spaces and attend a show later in the evening. Businesses that really want to add a special touch can choose to sponsor a show, which often includes a meet and greet with artists as well as photo opportunities. All of these possibilities are surprisingly affordable at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
He further advises, “When planning your company retreat, location is key. Few venues in Lincoln share the distinctive culture, prime location and breathtaking views that the Lied Center can provide for a special event. The Lied is centrally located between UNL, downtown Lincoln and the Historic Haymarket, just steps away from Lincoln’s finest hotels, restaurants and night life. This will allow you to easily incorporate other venues into your itinerary as well.
The Lied Center takes great pride in offering a top notch events staff that is always happy to help event planners and companies planning a retreat. We can make catering recommendations and connect you with local artists who can provide unique entertainment for your event among other things that can be tailored to your specific needs and goals.”
On the flip side of enjoying an artistic performance, you could engage in an activity where your team is creating the art themselves.
There’s nothing like fun art projects to get the creative juices flowing, and ArtGlass Unlimited has plenty of options for classes and workshops that can be tailored to fit your group’s size, skill level and interests. From crafting unique pieces of jewelry to yard ornaments, stained glass window décor, glass vases and flowers and fused glass clocks just to name a few of the most popular requests, ArtGlass Unlimited is always adding to their arsenal and would be happy to tailor their offerings by request as well.
“If you are looking for a new place to take your group and want to experience a fun and interactive art form that everyone will enjoy, ArtGlass Unlimited is the place to be!” says Judy Stanczyk, owner of Art Glass Unlimited. “We offer the unique opportunity to have an enjoyable time with co-workers while creating a glass project that after completed, you will be proud to say ‘I made this!’ Check out our website: www.artglass-unlimitedlincoln.com and/or our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/artglassunlimited or call us (402) 488-2787 for times and event options.”
You won’t want to leave out the culinary arts either–food is a great way to bring people together and is a popular staple at all types of gatherings, company retreats included. It can be the focus of your event with a cooking class or special meal together, or it could also be included by simply making plans for catering as a part of your event itinerary.
“Of our offerings, Art & Soul’s cooking parties are the most popular choice for team building events and corporate outings,” explains Justina Slattery of Art & Soul. “The kitchen is a familiar place to gather with friends and family, and makes a perfect setting for a private cooking class. Our cooking parties offer hands-on instruction, encouraging communication and team work while fostering camaraderie, and of course having fun! Art parties are another popular choice, allowing guests to get out of their comfort zone and try something different. Participation in the arts are a great way to encourage creativity and thinking outside the box. Our favorite corporate events are customized, combining both art and cooking in one event.”
She adds, “It’s important to engage your guests in something that everyone can participate in. When guests are participating in an activity together, they will be interacting and problem solving, building camaraderie and teamwork. But most important, you want to have an activity that is fun and enjoyable so that everyone wants to participate.
There isn’t anything like Art & Soul in this area, making it a refreshing and fun choice for an event. There are companies from all around the Midwest who have sought out our venue while they are in the area for seminars or retreats, and often comment that they wish there was something like Art & Soul in their (larger) city. We have a beautiful venue that boasts new construction within the past five years, and we also offer in-house food and beverage catering services, making the planning process easy from the start.”
As many company retreats are planned to accommodate events that require a significant length of time, a great way to break up the day or enhance the experience is to arrange to share a meal with your team. Especially in the case of a full, action-packed itinerary, it will allow the opportunity for everyone to simply focus on relaxing and enjoying a delicious meal and one another’s company.
“Greta’s Gourmet has an incredible menu that is ever adapting to accommodate any kind of event or ambiance, but we don’t stop there,” explains Kyle Rein, Catering Manager at Greta’s Gourmet. “We can help with every aspect of event planning. Not everyone has the extra time to pick up being a professional event planner, so let us take the wheel. Our proven process can simplify decision-making for you and leaves the details to us. You will find that you’re now looking forward to the retreat you were once dreading to plan.
A big key in event planning is to let your guests and your itinerary breathe. Don’t forget that this is supposed to be a retreat. Make sure that the events you have planned reflect the audience you have attending and don’t cram your schedule so that it’s too full to enjoy or allow for thoughtful interaction. Leave some time for flexibility in the schedule and your guests will feel less like cargo being shipped from place to place; it’s essential to allow adequate time to make some memories and truly take in the experience and surroundings. A company retreat can truly revitalize and re-focus your staff while rewarding them for their hard work with a mini getaway. Incorporate ways to reward everyone in the mix and you are sure to see some marked growth in your staff’s overall performance and a boost in company morale.”
Rein also emphasizes the importance of selecting the right location in the overall success of the event. “As with any event, it’s all about location, location, location! Lincoln is a unique place and has many event spaces that reflect that uniqueness. The advantage to catering is that it can be done just about anywhere and in a number of ways. Put these two ideas together and you have delicious food in an amazing space that has now set the tone for your company retreat. From uniquely quaint country getaways which offer on-site lodging and are located just minutes from the bustle of the city, to the more urban nightlife feel of spaces like the Railyard or downtown venues with ample hotel lodging just blocks away, Lincoln has a space perfect for your retreat.”
Take a Trip With Your Team
While the sky’s the limit with company retreats and you could plan a trip to any number of far-off destinations, luckily there are also great options in Lincoln or just outside of town that still offer the feel of getting away from it all—but just for the day!
Located on the scenic Platte River, Bryson Airboat Tours offers a truly unique experience in addition to a prime location for entertaining. The riverfront property provides the opportunity to incorporate outdoor games and a picnic or barbecue into your event along with the airboat tours, which are definitely a crowd pleaser. “Our three hours of fun package is the perfect fit for everyone in your party,” says Bryson, owner of Bryson Airboat Tours. “This includes access to all of the amenities on the property which includes a grilling area with plenty of seating, horseshoe pits, sand volleyball, swimming in the river, bean bag toss, and you can bring games of your own as well. Our prime outdoor location gets yours guests out into the beauty of nature for fun in the sun for a spectacular experience that never disappoints!”
James Arthur Vineyards is a wonderful destination for a company retreat, as you can enjoy the natural beauty of the estate along with their delicious wines. Moreover, the facilities on-site offer a warm and relaxed atmosphere that’s ideal for breakthrough thinking and highly effective meetings. Located near Raymond about 10 miles from downtown Lincoln, it’s a close enough trip to be able to get out of the city without breaking the bank on travel expenses. “We can host any size group, and offer tours of our grounds and facilities, samples of our award-winning wines or scheduled tastings, and an opportunity to unwind with your co-workers,” says James Ballard, owner of James Arthur Vineyards. “We have several private party spaces featuring comfortable furnishings, rich décor, spectacular views that have been popular among companies booking meetings and retreats, and we do have customized catering options as well. Every summer we host special events at James Arthur Vineyards that could easily be incorporated into a company event too.”
By now you’ve probably seen the Group Therapy bike around town, and it’s a great way to get out of the office for some fresh air, laughs with one another, and a productive meeting can certainly be thrown in the mix of all the fun—after all, it is set up like a mobile conference table! “We offer a lot of different options for tours, but aside from the differences in location and stops along the way they are all the same in the sense of building camaraderie,” says Drew Philippi, owner of Group Therapy Bike Tours. “At Group Therapy we are all about bringing people together for a good time, and our tours are a simple, enjoyable way to gather your team together in neutral location so that they can be themselves and let loose around one another.”
Company retreats are generally most successful when combining elements of training or brainstorming with team building activities and enjoyable experiences for extra benefits that can be far reaching in terms of company culture and productivity. As there are plenty of possibilities to choose from, make sure that it’s not all fun or business but a good mixture of the two for the best outcome.