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Out of the Office and Into the Wild: How Offsite Meetings Spark Fresh Ideas

Published on September 17, 2024


Let’s be real for a second. An offsite meeting is more than just a green light to wear jeans and rummage through the snack table on a Tuesday.

It's a hidden gem for unleashing creativity, raising morale, and preventing email messages from distracting your workforce from the larger picture.

Bob Yienger, Edith Macy Center's Director of Sales and Marketing, has some insight about elevating offsite meetings beyond the status of a mere coffee break.

Bob warns that developing a daily pattern at work is possible. "Leaving that setting provides a boost—the kind that's hard to replicate at work."

So, get out of your cubicle, grab a pen and paper, and learn why having an out-of-office meeting might be your best choice all year.

Off-Site Meetings, On-Point ROI


The Fresh Air Factor: A Guaranteed Cure for ‘Stale Idea Syndrome’

Raise your hand if you've ever stared at the wall in your workplace for the hundredth time and had a brilliant idea.

We didn’t think so.

Changing environments can be just what you need to spark new ideas—and no, we don't mean trading cubicles with Steve from accounting.

Bob says all it takes to spark a new idea is a change of scenery, some fresh air, or even simply looking out a new window.

He’s right. You’ll be amazed at how quickly the wheels start turning when you swap out stuffy conference rooms for open spaces and fluorescent lighting for sunshine.

Even the most hardened 9-to-5 warriors can have a lightbulb moment when they step outside and see, well, actual light bulbs (aka the sun).

Science agrees. An American Psychological Association study found that people who spend time outdoors are 60% more creative.

Who knew that swapping a cubicle for a nature walk could lead to your next big idea?

Team Building: Because Trust Falls Are So 1990s

We all remember the dreaded trust falls from corporate retreats gone by. But here’s the good news—offsite meetings have moved beyond the era of cringey icebreakers (thankfully).

Bob points out that today’s offsite experiences are about “doing things that aren’t business-related, and that’s where the real bonding happens.”

Think obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, or even a good ol’ game of dodgeball. Nothing says team bonding like accidentally pelting your boss with a foam ball, right?

“You just went through a team-building exercise where you relied on each other,” Bob says. “Now, all of a sudden, you’re talking a lot more freely to each other.” (Nothing builds trust like knowing who on your team has the best aim.)

Plus, it’s a proven fact—people who laugh together work better together. So don’t be afraid to throw a little fun into your offsite agenda. Trust us, your team will thank you.

Distraction-Free Zone: No Emails, No Interruptions, No Problem

The biggest perk of an offsite meeting? No distractions.

That’s right, no impromptu visits from the boss, no urgent Slack messages, and definitely no "just popping in" emails from HR.

“You’re able to dust off those distractions and really focus on why you’re there,” Bob explains. “It’s about concentrating on each other and what’s important to the team.”

Picture this: You’re in the middle of a deep discussion about next year’s strategic goals when—boom—your phone buzzes with the latest meme from your group chat.

Not today! You can leave your notifications behind at an offsite and get some real work done.

Bob’s got a point:”Offsite meetings offer the mental space needed for real breakthroughs.”

And you know what? He’s right.

When you’re not thinking about emails piling up, it’s a whole lot easier to focus on the future. Just don’t forget to set that out-of-office reply—no one needs to know you’re actually being productive.

Time to Pack Your Bags

Here’s the takeaway: Offsite meetings are a fantastic way to refresh, reconnect, and reignite your team’s creativity (even if it means giving up your usual desk snacks for a day). As Bob wisely puts it, “Offsite environments are a great place to set a new path forward.”

So pack your bags, bring your best ideas, and don’t forget the bug spray—innovation waits for no one, not even the gnats.

Discover how Edith Macy’s serene surroundings can revolutionize your next meeting. Reach out to us here >>


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