During the whirlwind of the last few years, we’ve accepted that the way we work has undergone a permanent shift—from where we plug in to when we plug in. In fact, a 2022 Census report found that the remote work rate tripled during the worst of the pandemic, with just under 30 million people in the U.S. spending at least part of their work-week at home.
What that’s given workers back in commute time and daily flexibility has also stripped them of the in-person relationships that professional successes thrive on. If your team’s connection relies on your internet connection, it’s probably time to think about making your workplace culture a little more personal. So, move morning coffee from your home office to one of Benchmark Resorts & Hotels’ boutique properties. We’ll bring the to-go cups.
See things more clearly: a day trip to the Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
All it takes? A chair harness and one of the resort’s trained Jackson Hole Paragliding Tandem Instructors. Famous for its crisp mountain air and stunning views, the Grand Teton National Forest just outside Jackson Hole offers the paragliding opportunity of a lifetime. Let the professional pilots guide you through the forest’s peaks and valleys as you enjoy an unencumbered view of the region’s natural beauty. And you’ll land easily back at the resort, too. Nestled at the base of Snow King Mountain, the resort offers 22,000 square feet of event space flanked by the breathtaking Teton Mountains.
Pony up at The Stables at Turtle Bay Resort inO’ahu, Hawaii.
Turtle Bay Resort’s stunning property on the North Shore of O’ahu almost sells itself. Every detail ties to Hawaii’s rich cultural history, from the local cuisine to the natural beauty. One of Turtle Bay Resort’s most recent additions, the Hawaiian Cowboy Lu’au, is no exception: an homage to the region’s ranching history that includes a fresh buffet, a cocktail bar, and an hour’s worth of hula and drum performances and storytelling. It’s all set against the backdrop of The Stables at Turtle Bay, a fully staffed ranch that abuts the North Shore’s 12 miles of coastline.
It’s Whiskey Business at the Garden of the Gods Resort& Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Ranked #1 in Yelp’s Top 100 U.S. Hotels 2022, the jewel-toned skies and red rocks of Colorado Springs are perfectly reflected in the property’s name. After a day exploring the 480-acre nature preserve, settle at one of the resort’s patios for a bourbon tasting. If you’re looking for more heat than just the whiskey flights, you’re in luck—the resort offers breathtaking fire dancing performances while you sip. Fire water and fire dancers? That’s Colorado cowboy approved.
The Heldrich: a Real Jersey Giant in New Brunswick.
Nestled in New Brunswick, New Jersey, The Heldrich Hotel’s Christopher’s Restaurant exemplifies the heart of the property: a boutique experience in the rush of the city. Their 25,000 square feet of meeting space connects seamlessly to Christopher’s, deliciously blending work, play, and fine dining. Enjoy an intimate dinner of handcrafted sushi rolls and craft cocktails during your stay.
In today’s remote world, it can often be challenging to find a time (and place) to unplug and foster meaningful connections within your company. For those looking to escape the everyday and inspire innovation, collaboration and relaxation, consider a lakeside location for your next company meeting.
For meeting planners, finding new, unique and inspiring destinations for an upcoming event can prove difficult. Here are three Benchmark Resorts & Hotels' destinations dotted around the country, which offer unique experiences for meeting guests.
Taking a step away from traditional office spaces and heading to new places can help teams refocus on business objectives, offering a fresh, relaxed environment, free of workplace distractions.
Happy employees are more likely to have a positive attitude when it comes to their work, increasing productivity and the overall culture of a company.
Whether it’s a large corporate gathering or a small group of meeting goers, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels has several excellent locations to host impactful and productive meetings:
Often, the best ideas come when we take a step (far) away from our usual surroundings. However, while the idea of jetting across the globe for meetings sounds inspiring, it can be a logistical challenge for meeting planners.
Over the past decade or so, sustainability has been at the forefront of workplace initiatives. But that shouldn’t just be a focus in the workplace itself – businesses should strive to ensure that they are engaging in sustainability practices even when traveling for conventions, corporate retreats and meetings alike.
Whether it’s an intimate conference or gathering for a small business or a chance to reward an individual team in a large corporation, Benchmark Resorts & Hotels has some excellent locations to host impactful meetings, executive retreats and events to meet the needs of smaller groups:
For meeting planners, technology can be a friend or foe. And, in this new hybrid environment with both virtual and in-person attendees to consider, meeting organizers must rely on conferencing technology – to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
With many companies making the switch to fully remote or hybrid work, there’s added pressure on offsite meetings to make up for lost facetime and build team bonds that can benefit business.
While company retreats have long been a staple of the business world, they often take place in a busy and overstimulated location like a major city for reasons including accessibility and proximity to a large airport. Planning a retreat in a remote location not only boosts your attendees’ comfort level as they ease back into in-person meetings, but time spent in a remote setting surrounded by nature is proven to improve brain health and stimulate creative thinking as well.
Breeze cooling your skin. Sun warming your view. Arms spread wide, floating down through the mountains. Can you picture it? A paragliding escapade through the Grand Tetons is just one of many teambuilding opportunities offered at Benchmark Resorts & Hotels properties around the country, designed to heighten your senses in a way that embraces creativity.
As meeting-goers begin to convene again in person, wellness should be top of mind. Meeting planners and attendees are increasingly aware of the benefits of therapeutic services and how they play a role in the success of any meeting, conference or program.
