A corporate event is a chance for colleagues to come together and connect on a very basic and human level. A well-designed corporate event will validate your employees, promote creativity, boost company morale, and create a stronger team. From outdoor-focused events to problem-solving challenges, they are a way to celebrate your employees while bringing everyone together in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.
If you’re looking for unique corporate activities in the Chicago, IL area, I have compiled an inspiring list that will hopefully help with planning your event. There is something for everyone, whether you’re a large multinational company or a smaller business.
These are best done during the summer months unless you are lucky enough to live in a warmer climate! Here are a few ideas for outdoor-focused corporate events for the outdoorsman in all of us. Make sure to adjust these based on your teams’ abilities and comfort levels.
If your event can take place near a body of water, a cruise along the harbor can be a beautiful bonding corporate activity. There is a natural human connection to water and bringing everyone together on a boat can inspire employees while introducing them to parts of the city they may not have seen yet.
This corporate activity is best done in teams – a little competition is a healthy way for everyone to get to know each other. This can be done around the office or in another location in your town. You can organize this yourself or get an events company to do it for you.
Also known as globe-riding, sphereing, or orbing, zorbing is a fun and adrenaline-filled corporate activity. Have you ever wanted to climb inside a big inflated ball and roll down a hill? If your answer is yes, then zorbing might be the perfect corporate activity for you.
Bring out your teams’ inner artists with creative events that inspire and take you out of your comfort zone. Creative corporate events are great because they allow everyone to participate, regardless of their creative abilities.
With the guidance of a professional artist, your team creates a one-of-a-kind painting that will be treasured for years to come. Community painting is a truly unique and exciting way to engage a crowd while encouraging creativity in a fun, and safe environment.
With a limited time to finish the challenge, escape rooms are an entertaining way to use creativity and problem-solving. Nothing brings a team together like the pressure of time in an immersive environment.
Bring out your inner child and throw in some games at your next corporate event. Choose familiar games and watch your team’s excitement as they enjoy classic games from their childhoods.
Less painful and messy than paintball, laser tag is an action-packed adventure for your team. Players make their way through the course and obstacles trying to shoot their opponents, all while trying to avoid being hit themselves.
Questionable shoes aside, bowling is a wonderfully retro way to bring a team together. Nothing beats the feeling of a strike, the sounds of pins falling, and choosing a team name. Bowling will have your coworkers buzzing about for years.
When choosing an activity for your corporate event, consider what your audience wants. At the end of the day, your entertainment should tie back to your event brand while bringing people together. Don’t forget food, drinks, and transportation when planning and thinking about your budget. Sending out team surveys with activity options will ensure everyone has a say.