There are plenty of good reasons to plan a corporate retreat — a change of scenery will often inspire new ideas; a change of pace can encourage strengthening of bonds between co-workers; new connections can form in a more casual atmosphere. Whatever your goals, your retreat’s success is going to depend on the type of team-building venue and activity you choose.
If you’re in need of inspiration for your corporate retreat, we recommend you consider these Minnesota locations and activities that are sure to revitalize your team.
Since 1976, the 125-acre amusement park has offered guests fun, thrills and adventure with rides, roller coasters, and a water park. Team building experiences at the park are just as heart-pounding and exciting. Corporate-specific, fully-facilitated programming options include The Appmazing Hunt, an app enhanced, customized Scavenger Hunt; the Appmazing Race, an app enhanced adventure through the park; Tower Above the Rest, a building exercise using low-tech materials; and more. All the team building activities emphasize cooperation, communication, problem solving, and strategic thinking.
A premier entertainment destination, Canterbury Park features live and simulcast horse racing, table games, and poker tournaments in a smoke-free environment. Offering a variety of dining options, both tableside and in the casino, it’s a sure thing your group is going to love their gathering here. Multiple bar options offer spirits, brews, and wine to satisfy everyone’s thirst.
Just a 30-minute drive from the metro, Shakopee offers visitors a wide range of attractions and activities including the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, Mystic Lake Casino, and nearby Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and the Chanhassen Dinner Theater. With comfy lodging, great restaurants, and fun shops, your group will feel more than welcome in Shakopee.
Rush Creek is a public course with a private club feel. Gorgeous grounds and superior amenities make this the ideal place for a tournament or just a friendly round with your team. The 18-hole championship course has hosted several national golf events, including three LPGA tournaments. The stunning ballroom with spectacular course views can accommodate up to 350 guests. Mouthwatering cuisine is made to order, from hors d’oeuvres to seven course dinners.
Just minutes from downtown Minneapolis, Minneapolis Northwest is comprised of the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, and Maple Grove. Unique restaurants, local entertainment, fantastic shopping, and abundant outdoor areas for hiking, biking, skiing, skating, and more invite visitors to stay, play, and enjoy.
The rumble of the engines, the roar of the crowd — there’s nothing quite as exciting as racing at Brainerd International Raceway. Bring your group to cheer on the checkered flag winner at a host of events including drag racing, superbike racing, SCCA competition racing, street car showdown and more. Deluxe condos on track are available plus hundreds of full-service RV sites too.
Minnesota’s Playground, Brainerd welcomes guests to enjoy biking, craft beer, fishing, food, golfing, hiking, hunting and more. The Brainerd Lakes area includes the towns of Nisswa, Cuyuna Lakes, Pequot Lakes, and Crosslake. Home to legendary Paul Bunyan and his sidekick, Babe the Blue Ox, Brainerd offers that “up-north” vacation mentality coupled with “Minnesota Nice” that is legendary in these parts.
The ingredients for the perfect team building event can be found here. Combine a variety of classes (everything from baking, to ethnic, to regional, to seasonal cuisine,) stir in expert chefs, state-of-the-art equipment, and a stunning atmosphere, and you have the makings of a great group experience. Exercises are designed to incorporate cooperation, communication, and trust. And of course, when it’s all done, you have the delicious results to consume.
Located at historic Fort Snelling, Base Camp offers rock climbing, ropes courses, archery, and team games. Serving both youth and adults, Base Camp is the ideal place to create a team building event with activities that involve problem solving challenges to help your team find strengths in order to move forward to the next level in your business.
The state’s capital city extends a warm welcome to every visitor with a host of interesting, historical, captivating, and charming places to look, stay, and enjoy. From hockey to cultural festivals, brewery tours to the Winter Carnival, quite simply, St. Paul has it all!
Choose from three different group options. Your Own Private Commander sends your team into customized battle scenarios to organize chaos. Special Ops Missions tests your groups’ inner warriors to achieve tactical domination. Finally, your platoon will prepare for battle with Enter the Armory, a paintball game that brings battle to life.
The southern gateway into the Twin Cities welcomes visitors with a host of beautiful lakes, public swimming beaches, public boat launches, parks, playgrounds, hiking, and biking trails, a 340-acre nature preserve, four championship golf courses and more. Add in some of the metro’s most delicious cuisine and comfortable accommodations and you’ll be glad you’ve arrived in Lakeville.
Featuring a variety of game rooms, your group will love the challenge of escaping whatever room they’re in. And the Winner Is…focuses on recapturing stolen Oscars. BWCAccident challenges your group to get to the other side of the lake during a nasty storm. Last Will + Testament charges you with finding and unlocking Great Aunt Dotty’s will before it’s too late, while 365 requires you solve a year’s worth of games in 60 minutes.
Eat, play, and stay in Burnsville, a preferred visitor destination in the Twin Cities. Featuring over 90 restaurants, a beautiful performing arts center, premiere shopping center and more than 1750 acres of parks. Burnsville is just a few minutes south from the MSP International Airport, the Mall of America, Valleyfair, the Minnesota Zoo and more.
Want more ideas of places and spaces for team-building events? Check out our directory and find the Minnesota location that’s ideal for your team.
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