Corporate retreats are a proven tool that both remote and office-based companies can leverage to rejuvenate idea flow. If you’re looking for a corporate retreat in Texas, Outdoorsy Hill Country is a luxury glamping retreat built from the ground up by Outdoorsy.
Hybrid and remote workplaces have transformed the way we work. Companies embracing distributed models benefit from a wider talent pool, better retention, and happier employees.
Virtual work creates new opportunities for companies and team members — but it also brings new challenges. Chief among them is the challenge of how remote workplaces can harness the power of real human connection. Left unchecked, virtual communication can harm idea generation, contribute to loneliness, and even impact company culture.
Outdoorsy’s business is to restore our connection with the outdoors and each other, and we’ve been doing it since 2014. Let’s unpack how and why offsite opportunities like ours are powerful for teams:
The Low Down on Corporate Retreats
As a hybrid company, Outdoorsy sees firsthand the need for regular in-person connections. Our teams gather IRL several times yearly and at RV meetups nationwide.
A growing number of companies are also embracing this idea. Even office-based businesses see tremendous benefits from placing their team in a new and focused environment on a corporate retreat.
The key to a successful company retreat sits in two main strategies: setting the right goals for the corporate retreat and finding the right place for it.
Things like a unifying theme, activities that build trust and relationships, and bringing in outside speakers are all components known to drive positive ROI in a company offsite.
The location you choose for a corporate retreat should be a space that opens new avenues for creativity, never-before-thought-of ideas, and moments for socialization. Locations with ample outdoor spaces set the stage for plenty of blue sky thinking (pun intended).
Many companies also block up to half of the retreat agenda for fun. While this might seem counterintuitive, companies are doing it because they realize the ROI that can be achieved when teams bond. This is especially important for remote organizations that don’t otherwise have the opportunity to forge in-person friendships among team members.
Cost Versus Return of Corporate Retreats
The big question is: How will this drive value for your company? Founders and CEOs regularly cite the immense returns to be had from a company offsite.
In terms of cost, companies pay an average of $2,200 per employee for all retreat-related expenses (e.g., hotel, flight, activities, etc.). Retreats return in spades on this expenditure when you factor in turnover reduction, employee connections built, and the ideas created at a properly planned offsite.
Many distributed companies view the investment for an offsite event as minimal compared to the office rent they previously paid.
Other businesses view corporate retreats as an employee benefit or a team member’s salary bonus. In this sense, a retreat expense usually represents a relatively small part of the compensation package that has an outsized impact on team morale.
Lastly, well-planned offsites are known to build a more solid workplace culture. And solid workplace culture is proven to reduce turnover. Since turnover can be one of the most expensive issues for any business, corporate retreats can be cost-effective preventative medicine.
Nature Brings New Perspectives
The outdoors restores wellness. Building nature into any routine has proven power to stimulate ideas, encourage creativity, and build camaraderie. That’s why we built Outdoorsy Hill Country in the heart of one of the most naturally beautiful parts of The Lone Star State — because blue-sky thinking happens best under real blue skies.
Corporate retreats in Texas often occur in indoor spaces. Our Texas Hill Country locale blends glamping-style gathering zones with outdoor communal areas. Team members on retreat at Outdoorsy’s property can sync as a company in a place like our brand new Bluebonnet Barn and then break into smaller teams around one of our built-in bonfire spots, on a hike along our trails, or at one of Texas Hill Country’s renowned wineries or bourbon distilleries.
Your team can unwind after hours at The Sagebrush — our onsite bar tent with a large deck.
Outdoorsy has hosted millions of nights in the outdoors, so we know the power that nature has to build connections. That’s why we started our hill country property, offering corporate retreats in Texas. We’re a distributed workplace ourselves, so we wanted a space for our team and yours to experience the natural connectedness that comes with such a place.
P.S. Did we mention we have a private lake?
Glamping for a Corporate Retreat in Texas
Glamping affords your team the chance to immerse themselves in the outdoors while enjoying the same luxuries of an upscale hotel. At Outdoorsy Hill County, we bring indoor comforts to the outdoors with luxury tents that feature spa-like bathrooms, heating and air-conditioning, kitchenettes, and outdoor cooking options.
Being in the outdoors doesn’t mean you have to be off-grid. We believe you can be connected to nature and have a high-speed WiFi connection to run your retreat without a hitch. That’s why Outdoorsy Hill Country has blazing WiFi included throughout the property — the epic Zoom backgrounds come standard.
Our glamping tents also feature central heating and cooling, wraparound decks, firepits, and modern furnishings.
Retreats have a restorative impact, and your team will also need restorative sleep. Our glamping tents feature plush queen mattresses and soft linens, so your crew will come well-rested to each offsite event.
And then there’s the nature. Built-in fire pit gathering areas inspire s’more-focused team building, wooded trails running along our 34 acres, and Texas Wine Country vineyards at our doorstep all provide the peaceful environs for a retreat that’ll restore your team.
Unique Experiences Are A Morale Motivator
The reports are in — most of your employees are more likely to value a unique experience over a traditional option. The days of holding a company retreat in a corporate hotel are giving way to creative options that leave a lasting impression on your culture.
Regarding Outdoorsy Hill Country, our setting, unique gathering spaces, and natural vibes set us apart from the usual company offsite experience. We also have an onsite bar, cafe, and full catering crew, so you can leave the culinary concerns to us. Our concierge event planners will work with you to map out all the pieces of your corporate retreat in Texas.
We chose our Texas Hill Country location partly because of its proximity to experiential options like Crown Hill Winery, Pedernales Cellars, and the Texas Wine Trail. The historic town of Fredericksburg is also a stone’s throw away and hosts an Oktoberfest, museums, and other festivities during the year.
LBJ State Park is right by us too. Our event planners can also help you schedule nearby team activities like horseback riding, rock climbing, live music events, and more.
These sorts of experiences help take an offsite to a new level by offering satellite locations for breakout sessions, alternative spaces for large gatherings, and options to fill the social calendar for your company retreat.
And, remember, at Outdoorsy Hill County, you don’t even have to worry about planning your offsite activities. We have a crew of concierge planners who focus on helping your team immerse itself in all that Hill Country offers. We even have golf carts to help your crew navigate our 32 acre property.
Things to Do Near Outdoorsy Hill Country
Company retreats work well with a combo of onsite and offsite activities. Thankfully, we have many fun options around us:
–Crown Hill Winery — Right across the street from us, husband and wife owned Crown Hill Winery offers a taste of Texas, from a smooth Tempranillo to a crisp Picpoul Blanc.
–Pedernales Cellars — Only a 5-minutes drive away, you can visit another local treasure that is run by three generations of the Kuhlken family.
–Albert Icehouse and Dance Hall — Head over to this historic Hill Country venue for a cold drink and live music with your coworkers to cap off a productive day.
-Garrison Brothers Distillery — Run to this historic Hill Country venue for a cold drink and live music with your coworkers to cap off a productive day.
–Outdoor activities — Take team bonding outside. Hike and climb in Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Fly fish in the Pedernales River. Bike and horseback ride in Hill Country State Natural Area. Other adventure areas include Inks Lake, Pedernales Falls, Lost Maples, and South Llano River.
Return Refreshed and Re-Inspired
Spending time outside directly impacts high-level thinking and problem-solving because it requires resourcefulness, adaptability, and creativity. Undoubtedly, after a corporate retreat in Hill Country, you’ll return to work feeling restored and full of creative energy to dive back into your projects.
Outdoorsy Hill Country is 90 minutes from the San Antonio and Austin airports, and a four-hour drive from Dallas and Houston — a convenience whether you’re based in Texas or flying in from somewhere else. Right outside Fredericksburg, we’re close to wineries, eateries, music venues, and outdoor recreation opportunities if you want to extend your stay.
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Company retreats are especially important as more workplaces adopt distributed work models. These models provide many employee benefits but can also impact idea creation and team coherence. Hosting a corporate offsite at a place like Outdoorsy Hill Country is a proven way to keep coherence, build community, and increase morale.
Our event planners can help you plot out every aspect of your offsite. Give us a call at 512-525-4742 or email us at [email protected] to start the process.
