When It's Time to Bring Your Colleagues Together in Person: Tips for Effective Team Gatherings

In a world where "WFH" is the new normal and Zoom meetings reign supreme, you might be wondering: are in-person events still relevant?

While remote work continues to rise, virtual events have emerged as a powerful tool for connecting teams. Whether your budget is tight, travel isn't feasible, or you simply want to add regular activities to your remote team's routine, virtual events offer a convenient and accessible solution.

Virtual events have become champions of team building and foster connections across geographical borders,  but when it comes to complex tasks like strategic planning and alignment, important decision-making, and creative brainstorming, in-person events can come in handy. Get togethers like offsites and retreats are a power-up for productivity and collaboration, allowing teams to enhance their communication skills, build trust, and ultimately, cultivate strong relationships with their team members.

Creating a vibrant team culture in the modern workplace will mean leveraging both virtual and in-person experiences. Today, we’re delving into the powerful benefits of incorporating in-person gatherings into your team engagement strategy.

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3 ways offsites increase team engagement:

1. Unlocking the creativity vault

Stuck in a rut with your next project? In-person brainstorming sessions can be a game-changer. The energy and synergy in a shared physical space spark ideas like wildfire. Forget the emojis and awkward silences – spontaneous discussions, whiteboard scribbles, and unexpected connections can lead to groundbreaking solutions you wouldn't have dreamt of in a virtual meeting.

Here's the science behind the synergy: MIT's Human Dynamics Lab discovered a striking correlation between in-person interaction frequency and team performance. Their findings suggest that 35% of a team's performance variation is directly linked to how often they connect face-to-face. That's a significant impact. So to discover groundbreaking ideas, it’s better to step away from the screen and get together in-person  – your team's performance and creativity will thank you for it.

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2. Decision making and strategic alignment

Imagine dissecting a complex issue during a virtual meeting. Distractions buzz: a notification pops up, someone's microphone mutes, and the internet lags. The energy feels fragmented, and reading nuances like body language is impossible. While virtual tools offer flexibility, complex decisions and strategic alignment can be trickier.

In contrast, in-person meetings unlock a unique power to elevate strategic decision-making. The shared space fosters focused attention, minimizing distractions and fostering a sense of collective purpose. Nonverbal cues – a raised eyebrow, a reassuring nod – become readily available, facilitating clearer communication and building trust.

While virtual meetings can provide initial information sharing, the real magic happens when the team gathers in person. The energy is palpable, ideas flow freely, and the shared physical presence fosters a deeper understanding and commitment to the chosen path. This is the power of in-person meetings – a strategic investment that can propel your team towards achieving its goals.

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3. Building bonds beyond the screen

Let's face it, remote work can feel isolating at times. In-person events bridge the geographical gap and bring everyone together under the same roof (or yurt, if you’re feeling adventurous), allowing your team to connect on a deeper level. Shared meals, team celebrations, and even the simple act of seeing each other’s faces in the real world fosters genuine relationships that transcend Slack messages and Zoom calls.

Meeting colleagues in person allows you to understand personality and nuance in a way that the screen doesn’t lend itself to. Offsites are that perfect addition to your company culture, building trust and friendships amongst your team. These bonds translate to better communication, increased trust, and a stronger sense of belonging – the bedrock of any successful team.

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How to plan a successful offsite 

Now that you understand the benefits of gathering IRL, how do you actually go about planning an event that will support employee bonding? 

Planning an in-person event can feel like juggling flaming chainsaws while riding a unicycle. Logistics, budgets, activities, schedules – it's enough to make even the most organized leader break out in a cold sweat. That’s why we’ve partnered up with BoomPop, the platform that makes planning in-person events for remote teams insanely easy.

BoomPop's got your back with:

• Streamlined venue sourcing and booking: Browse and compare locations, from cozy cabins to swanky hotels, all in one place. BoomPop even handles the contracts and payments, so you can focus on the fun stuff.
• Effortless activity planning: Whether it's a whitewater rafting adventure or a cocktail-making class, BoomPop curates a diverse range of activities to cater to all interests and budgets. No more endless Google searches and cold calls.
• Budgeting that doesn't break the bank: BoomPop's transparent pricing and customizable packages ensure you stay within your budget, even if your team's enthusiasm for karaoke knows no bounds.
• Simplified guest management: Keep everyone in the loop with the Guest Website. Easily keep track of RSVPs, dietary preferences, and special requests. No more lost emails or forgotten itineraries.

With BoomPop by your side, planning your next team gathering will be a breeze, leaving you with more time to focus on what truly matters – building a thriving, connected team that crushes its goals.

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Finding the right balance ⚖️

The key lies in understanding the unique strengths of both virtual and in-person events and leveraging them strategically. Utilize Confetti’s virtual team building events to maintain the momentum and positive energy in between offsites. For in-depth tasks like strategic planning, complex decision-making, and deep relationship building, consider incorporating occasional in-person gatherings to unlock the full potential of your team dynamics. 

In-person events are not a replacement for virtual interactions, but rather a powerful complement. By understanding the unique strengths of each approach, you can create a hybrid strategy that empowers your team to excel in both building connections and tackling complex tasks. This allows you to reap the benefits of both worlds, fostering a thriving and innovative team culture.

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