It’s time to put the notorious, oft-maligned workplace pizza party to rest. If you want to boost employee morale and drive real results, consider something with a proven ROI: a corporate event designed around purpose and connection—a retreat.
More than just a “perk,” retreats give teams the dedicated space they need to align, recharge, and grow. From strategy sessions to team bonding, a well-planned offsite can spark breakthroughs and deepen connection across your organization. And while the intangible benefits, like employee satisfaction and bonding, are obvious, here’s how you can accurately measure their financial return on investment.
To turn a retreat from an expense into an investment, you need to:
Establish your goals
Before you head out, define clear objectives. Whether it’s stronger team cohesion, improved productivity, or higher employee retention, knowing what you’re aiming for gives you a framework for measuring success. It also becomes your north star throughout the planning process—helping you stay focused on what matters most.
For Rafaelle Stavisky, Workplace Experience Manager at Swapcard, setting a clear purpose is the very first step. In Episode 24 of our Pioneers In Culture podcast, she put it simply:
“Know why you’re gathering and what people should walk away with. Let that purpose guide every decision.”
Start with the “why,” and the rest of your retreat—from agenda to activities—will naturally fall into place.
Measure your pre-retreat metrics
Gather baseline data on key performance indicators before the retreat. This might include retention rates, productivity benchmarks, or engagement scores—whatever matters most to your team.
For Giant Swarm, a fully remote company, engagement is a top priority. In Episode 22 of Pioneers In Culture, Head of Recruitment Joshua Olson shared how their team used open-space sessions—led by employees—to surface what mattered most. By tracking engagement beforehand, they could better assess the retreat’s impact afterward.
Assess changes after the retreat
Once your retreat wraps, revisit the same metrics you tracked beforehand—whether that’s engagement scores, productivity, or retention. Look for shifts that signal impact.
In Episode 18 of Pioneers In Culture, Erin McCann, Head of People at Genomenon, shared how her team measured success post-retreat. After hosting two 150-person offsites, their biggest wins came from two things: repeating key messages and following up intentionally.
During their time at The Sun Gardens in Dubrovnik, they built clarity into the agenda—and kept it alive through structured follow-ups. The result? A retreat that sparked alignment and sustained it.
Takeaway: Great retreats don’t end when the plane takes off.
Calculate the savings
Once you’ve compared pre- and post-retreat data, you can estimate the financial impact. For example, if turnover drops by 10% and it costs $60,000 to replace an employee, the cost savings add up fast. For a team of 50, retaining just five people could mean $300,000 in annual savings.
Sounds pretty great, right? Don’t just take our word for it—here are some real-world examples:
Rafat Ali, founder and CEO of travel company Skift, has been a vocal advocate for corporate retreats since the company’s first in 2014. Since then, the startup has hosted annual offsites in Iceland, Colombia, Cuba, and Montreal.
Ali put it simply: the development of workplace culture, policies, and perks—including business retreats—is “business-critical.”
“Unless you make a conscious strategic decision to live a brand-relevant culture, you’ll inevitably default to the same generic millennial lip service as a hundred other companies,” Ali told Inc. “And you’ll pay the price in everything from recruiting to retention to market leadership to customer service.”
Sure, flying a startup’s entire team to Iceland might sound like an obvious win for morale—but your corporate retreat doesn’t have to be lavish to be effective. Even a simple weekend getaway can support your bottom line. The key is to host an event that feels authentic to your brand and company culture.
Skeptical? Let’s talk through some FAQs.
FAQs
What happens at a company retreat?
That’s up to you! At their core, retreats are built around team-building and collaboration. Your offsite should reflect your brand’s values and what you hope to gain from the experience, but most include a mix of the following:
- Workshops or training: Hosted sessions focused on skill development, led by team leaders or external experts. These trainings support personal growth and can also boost team performance.
- Team-building activities: Challenges that involve collaboration, problem-solving, and communication help employees learn to work together more effectively.
- Social breaks: All work and no play makes for a drab weekend away. Team meals, happy hours, and downtime are often built into the schedule.
- Networking opportunities: Informal gatherings allow employees to connect across departments and pursue their own professional development goals.
How can team-building retreats contribute to improved morale?
We’re so glad you asked! It’s tough for employees to connect in an office setting, where work often comes before relationships. Add remote work into the mix, and building real bonds can feel nearly impossible. That’s where corporate retreat planning comes in.
By bringing team members together across departments, offsites help foster stronger relationships and improve team dynamics—far beyond the walls of the office (or Zoom).
Shared experiences create a sense of community, and the time away helps staff relax and recharge. Workshops and training sessions can support personal development, helping employees grow into leaders.
And it’s not just a feel-good idea—according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 83% of workers see corporate travel as a benefit. A retreat can be a powerful perk for retaining employees and attracting new talent.
How can team-building retreats improve team cohesion and communication?
Shared experiences are the foundation of strong teams. Retreats build camaraderie, enhance teamwork, and open up channels of communication. In a more relaxed setting, employees often feel more comfortable sharing ideas and feedback—building trust that carries back to daily work.
If you include trust-building exercises, even better. These activities encourage teams to lean on each other and recognize individual strengths. The result? Better collaboration that lasts long after the retreat ends.
What strategies can businesses use to maximize the ROI from corporate retreats?
Start with a clear set of objectives that tie directly to your company’s broader goals. Every activity should serve a purpose—whether it’s strengthening relationships, building new skills, or boosting morale.
Before the retreat, gather baseline data on the KPIs you care about most (e.g., turnover, engagement, productivity). After the retreat, measure those same metrics and track any positive changes.
Don’t forget to follow up. Send out pre- and post-retreat surveys to understand what team members hope to gain—and whether they got what they came for. Build their feedback into your planning process. A thoughtful mix of team-building exercises, workshops, speakers, and time to unwind ensures everyone walks away feeling energized and valued.
Are corporate retreats effective?
Yes! When thoughtfully planned around your brand’s goals and values, a retreat isn’t just a feel-good outing—it’s a strategic investment.
Why corporate retreats are important comes down to this: they support employee well-being, boost morale, deepen connection, and strengthen communication. And when your team feels supported and aligned, your business benefits too.
Looking for company offsite ideas or help navigating company retreat budgets? We’ve got you covered.