This month we have teamed up with the fabulous team over at Eventurous to bring you new ideas for planning your outdoor team building event in 2024. Eventurous are an event management service that cater to corporate events and team building experiences and we must say, they are masters at this!
So read on, and see what tips Eventurous have to gifted us on how to create the best outdoor event in 2024 for your colleagues or team.
Why outdoor events are a huge hit in 2024
Since the pandemic there has been a shift in people opting to become more in-tune with mother nature and all she has to offer for our mental and physical health. But it’s not just our personal lives that can benefit from more time spent outdoors, it’s our professional lives too. Businesses worldwide are recognising the opportunities that come with holding their corporate events and team away days in the great outdoors.
The
experts in corporate events at Eventurous report seeing a 50% increase in enquiries for outdoor team away days and events since 2022 alone and claim that the introduction of new trending events such as highly inclusive Corporate Festivals have played a huge part in a monumental year for them.
What are the benefits of holding company events outdoors?
Outdoor team building activities and corporate events are growing rapidly due to the benefits they offer being simply too good to miss out on. But what are they and what can outdoor events do for your team and your business?
Bespoke Experience
Outdoor events offer a blank canvas full of opportunity for creating your very own personalised experience tailored to your needs and objectives. No matter the type of outdoor event you are holding for your team you can elevate the experience through a variety of activities, branding and theming, entertainment and catering.
Inclusive
Exciting and varied outdoor events such as Company Fun Days and Festivals allow for a multitude of activities and entertainment to suit all ages and abilities, from silent discos and fairground rides to fete stalls and circus performers there really is something for all at these unique corporate events.
Motivating & Engaging
Being away from the working environment, whether it be a warehouse or office can only be beneficial to your employees. With studies suggesting that Brits spend 80-90% of their time indoors, being outdoors in the fresh air and amongst nature can give your team a new lease of life and can spark new motivation, particularly where highly engaging outdoor team activities are involved.
Mood & Productivity
Government statistics state that 85% of people agree that being outdoors helps improve their mood and mental health. Science tells us that sunlight increases our levels of serotonin, helping us to feel generally happier and more relaxed and Oxford University claims that a happy team results in 15% more productivity per person. To maximise these benefits, add some wellbeing activities that rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. Popular ones include Gong Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi and even Ice Baths.
How do I plan a large outdoor corporate event?
Know your audience
Before planning any outdoor event, ensure you know your team first! Understand their demographics including age and location and don’t forget to take note of their beliefs or values too, this way you can add touches to your event that show you listen and care about the people that make your business great. For example, be sure to include plant-based meals particularly if you have attendees that care about the environment or have dietary preferences.
Set your objectives
Agree your objectives and budget, without these you will waste valuable time looking at solutions that do not bring the best returns.
Find an Event Partner
Once you are clear on your outcomes and the resources you have available to achieve them, you are ready to find a partner event management agency to assist you with your best outdoor event yet!
Sit back and relax whilst the experts manage your event all the way from idea generation and finding a venue to execution.
What are the most popular outdoor corporate events for 2024?
It’s an exciting year for outdoor events for your team! Times have changed and there’s more opportunity now for creativity in events, transforming them into unique and memorable experiences.
Creative Company Fun DaysCompany Fun Days are a popular choice in 2024. This exciting style of event allows you to thank not only your employees but their loving and supportive families too and they are a great solution for medium to large groups of people.
Fun days also have the ability to be super inclusive, with typical games including fun for all ages and abilities. From fairground rides for the thrill seekers, to fete stalls for the family, garden games for the grandparents and circus shows for the children, you have something for all.
Captivating Corporate Festivals Corporate Festivals are new and exciting for the corporate event industry and it’s no secret that they offer unique benefits. A Company Festival can be easily personalised to your team, culture and brand. Festivals offer a blank canvas to create something special with the help of colourful theming, bold branding and exciting touchpoints such as quirky drink and food stalls, photo walls, giant letters and face painting.
The advantages of holding a festival for your team are:
- Eye-catching branding opportunities
- High energy fun
- Inclusive team activities and entertainment
- A unique experience and environment
- A varied agenda running from day into night if required
- Opportunity to incorporate wellbeing activities
- Helps retain top talent within your organisation
- Helps build strong bonds within the team
- Great for medium to large teams of 50 – 1000+
Award winning and leading team building provider Eventurous, offers an extensive range of modern team experiences, ranging from trending TV inspired games such as The Gladiator Challenge and Squad Games to classic favourites like It’s a Knockout and The Crystal Clear Challenge.
Theres something for all types of team and their location. The number one outdoor activity Team Treasure Hunts are a must for city based teams whereas Country Pursuits and Motor Sports are great options for outdoor team building for groups based in a more rural location.
If you simply can’t decide and want something really inclusive with plenty of variety you can work with your team building provider to create your very own Multi-activity Day, allowing your team to try their hand at an array of activities. Include action packed country classics such as Axe Throwing and Rifle Shooting alongside some highly active and competitive inflatable games!
One style of outdoor event your business cannot afford to miss this year is Charitable Team Building Activities. With an estimated 40% of UK businesses now having a dedicated team to achieving their Environmental, Social and Governance goals, charity team building has become extremely popular. It’s the perfect way to give something back to the people that make your organisation great whilst doing good for others outside of your organisation.
Fairway to Foodbank and Build for Charity are two outdoor events that offer a hands on practical team challenge that results in something miraculous for who need it most.
Fairway to Foodbank is the ultimate crazy golf challenge with a charitable twist. Teams must channel their creativity and practicality as they build their own 3m golf hole with non-perishable food stuffs and accessories, in preparation for the grand finale round where they put each teams hole to the test! Teams are asked to then donate food to their local foodbank afterwards.
Build for Charity is a moving team event, that allows colleagues to work together to build a Bicycle or Skateboard for someone in need. That’s not all, they can take on adrenaline fueled team challenges to win extra bells and whistles for their gift.