Did you know – 88% of all US Businesses have less than 50 employees?

So why is it that hotel and resort owners have this notion that Corporate Meetings and Retreats means only large conventions?

After 17 years of selling, planning, and hosting Corporate Retreats, I can guarantee that the two types of events couldn’t be more different.

Conventions are for attendees while Corporate Retreats are for employees

If you’ve never been to a convention before, you need to understand that most of the time the attendees need to pay to be a part of it.

For example, I had the fleeting thought of attending PHP[TEK] this upcoming spring – and although I would love to attend and learn from some of the best in the industry – attendance comes at a cost. Not only do I have to buy a ticket to the conference, I then need to book and pay for a hotel room (preferably at the hotel that’s hosting it), and cover the plane ticket to get there as well.

An idea, hobby, trend, or skill is what typically draws the convention crowd and attendees go to make connections and share ideas.

Corporate Meetings and Retreats on the other hand, are designed around mixing business with pleasure.

Most of the time, Corporate Retreats are paid for by the company, not the individual. These companies feel that sending employees on a Corporate Retreat not only shows they care about their workers, but the know that Corporate Meetings and Retreats have been proven to help foster better teamwork and communication.

The value for the company is not networking – it’s bonding.

Conventions are for networking and educating. Corporate Retreats are for bonding and problem solving.

Conventions are put on to draw a crowd of people that share a common interest.

For most conventions there will often be a schedule of different speakers, meals, and maybe mixer or two for the attendees to build their networks. Most of the time, nothing is mandatory and there will even be a revolving door of guests. A good percentage of conference goers will attend one or two days of a three day conference, but they can’t do them all.

Attendees will most likely flock to whatever piques their own interests and come away with knowledge and some new connections.

When it comes to Corporate Meetings and Retreats, the philosophy is all about making it a memorable experience for your team.

Most Corporate Retreats have meetings and team building that everyone attends. It’s not “choose your own adventure” as the conference goers are used to. Meetings, meals, and activities are designed to get employees into the same place, while trying to understand each others struggles and find creative solutions to company problems.

Corporate retreat guests will leave with a deeper understanding of their co-workers daily struggles, a feeling of camaraderie, and a sense of belonging.

Conventions are for large hotels and resorts. Corporate Retreats are for everybody.

No doubt about it – a conference of a thousand plus individuals is a task only large Hotels & Convention Centers can handle… It’s in their name after all.

If you have pipe dreams of hosting Comi Con or one of these largely sought after conventions and you’re a 50 room hotel – you’re playing the wrong game. You just don’t have the facility to host that type of event.

The good news is, you can always host some Corporate Meetings and Retreats instead!

As I’ve already stated, 88% of businesses in the United States have fewer than 50 employees – the largest chunk of which have 1-9 employees. Even if you’re a small boutique hotel with 5-10 rooms – you can host corporate meetings and retreats.

As long as you have the essential elements for hosting a retreat and a system in place to meet the group’s needs, you can get in the game at a very low risk.

Think you’re ready to step in the ring and start knocking out amazing corporate retreats? Take our Corporate Retreat Self Assessment test or schedule a free consultation today!

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