Just what is a retreat?
By definition, courtesy of the American Heritage
Dictionary, a retreat is:
- a quiet, private or secure place.
- a period of seclusion, retirement or solitude.
- a period of group withdrawal for fellowship and
study.
For years organizations of all types have used the retreat
approach to bring members of a group closer together or
when making their most important decisions. |
|
What makes a retreat conference center different
from a hotel or the office?
The difference is really quite substantial. At a retreat
conference center, the objective is to place the purpose
of the meeting first, and then build all of the support
services around the reason you are bringing the group
together. The results are usually dramatic!
- increased creativity often generates a better exchange
of ideas and solutions
- joint creativity leads to mutual understanding,
respect and confidence
- more productivity decreases the need for additional
meeting time at home
- participant input increases ownership of results
or actions to be taken
- trust and the freedom to take risks improves teamwork
and cooperation
Now look back at the definition of a retreat and think
of the environment you find at a hotel, resort or even
in your office. Kind of hard to imagine those environments
helping you achieve the results a retreat will, isn't
it? |
|
Does a retreat cost more than a hotel?
Not usually. Retreat Conference Centers actually are a
more cost effective use of resources. You'll spend less
time in meetings later on, the meetings you do have will
be more productive and, with a Complete Meeting Package
(CMP) tailored to your desires, you will have all of the
service you want plus know exactly what the bill will
be before you arrive!! Besides, should you pay for resort
amenities you never have a chance to use anyway? |
|
Our group will be rather small. Will we be lost
in the shuffle?
Quite the opposite. Most retreat conference centers
have less than 75 rooms and those rooms are usually designed
for single occupancy. Many times your group will be the
only user during a specific time period. Not every retreat
will guarantee "exclusivity", but most will
if you are willing to guarantee a certain level of revenue. |
|
What should I look for in a retreat site?
Simply calling a facility a retreat, or conference center
for that matter, does not necessarily make it so. Be sure
to make a site visit if time and distance allow. Keep
these items in mind and you should be able to find a retreat
site that will meet your needs perfectly.
- What is the main purpose of the facility? Meetings,
vacations, overnight guests? Is the staff familiar
with the needs of groups?
- How far away is "far enough"? Don't spend
time and money on travel that isn't necessary. A comfortable
half-day commute or less is ideal.
- Make sure the meeting facilities have real walls,
not folding doors. Look for break-out space, climate
control and seating options that fit your needs.
- Ask about the cost of audiovisual and if the equipment
is on-site. You don't want to be caught flatfooted
if plans change suddenly.
- Think about your meeting agenda and the time you
have set aside for recreation (yes, all work and no
play does make for some dull, to say nothing of cranky,
people). Does the retreat have a variety of outdoor
and indoor facilities?
- Food will be critical! Be sure you check on not
only quality, but timeliness of service, accommodation
of dietary needs, service options and your flexibility
to change meal times "on the run".
|
