It’s finally that time of the year when the sun shines a little brighter and the birds sing a little louder. Summer is right around the corner and it’s the perfect season for planning team-building events in the open air. Getting together with co-workers and indulging in fun activities alongside them can be very beneficial not only for the workflow in your organization but also for employees’ mental health. It can boost the motivation and creativity of your team, it can improve communication and it can help you re-connect with your work-buddies. All of those factors are extremely important, especially now during the “home office era”. The good news is that Chicago is gradually resuming its normal rhythm after the COVID-19 crisis. The city is now in phase V of its reopening plan, which means that more business and capacity restrictions are lifted while still ensuring the safety of citizens with appropriate safeguards. If you’ve been wanting to organize a team-building event in Chicago, then you’ve come to the right place. This article covers everything you need to think about – from corporate travel to choosing the most appropriate group activities for your team.
Accommodation
The accommodation is one of the first things that you need to consider when planning a group activity for your co-workers. Conducting research and choosing the ideal hotel for the purpose is crucial. Tripadvisor can turn out to be very useful for choosing the best business hotel for your event. You will need to speak to your teammates and write down the exact number of people who want to join in on the fun. Make sure to choose a place, which has enough room for everyone. Don’t forget to consider any COVID-19 restrictions which may be in place. Additionally, if you’re not planning on booking an all-inclusive hotel, you must pick accommodation that is near to food stores or restaurants.
Business Travel
Transportation is of main importance when it comes to team-building events. Of course, you could always rely on public transport, however, for extra comfort and safety measures, it’s best if you rent а vehicle for the weekend. Conduct a quick online search to find out which are the best corporate transportation services in Chicago. A great benefit, which you’ll enjoy when signing up for corporate travel is the fact that the company will make sure you always get to your destination on time. Additionally, because you’ll have a dedicated chauffeur, you can always count on him/her if you need more information about a certain attraction or if something doesn’t go according to plan and you need to change directions. Keep in mind that team-building events should be relaxing and enjoyable. Therefore, it’s a good idea to rent a vehicle that comes with extras such as ACs, DVD players, flat-screen monitors, and most importantly luggage compartments.
Stick to the plan
Whether your company just hit an important milestone and you want to celebrate it with a weekend of joy, or you’ve recently hired a couple of new employees and want to help them integrate faster, you need to come up with activities, appropriate for the occasion. Keep in mind that according to gallup.com, if 60% of your employees believe that their opinion matters, your organization could see a 27% reduction in turnover, a 40% reduction in safety incidents, and a 12% increase in productivity. That is why it’s a good idea to create a list of suitable activities and talk to your teammates to see if they like your ideas. Furthermore, they can also give you recommendations about other exciting adventures around the city. Planning your schedule ahead of time is essential when it comes to corporate team-buildings in Chicago simply because the city is rich in attractions and sights which can mesmerize you. The last thing you want is to return home disappointed due to missing out on an important monument or an exceptionally interesting museum. Additionally, you shouldn’t forget that the heavy traffic in the city may slow you down a notch. So keep delays in mind and leave at least an hour between different events.
Once you’ve carefully planned the team-building weekend in Chicago and secured your accommodation and transportation, you’re ready to enjoy awesome moments with your colleagues. It’s worth noting that more often than not, team-building events are rare occasions. So, although they inspire positivity, creativity, and improved communication, people often forget the valuable lessons by the time the next event rolls around. That is why it’s a good idea to plan regular get-togethers with colleagues. A happy team taking selfies during lunch breaks means you’re definitely doing something right.