Companies are increasingly using corporate retreats and team-building activities as strategic tools to improve employee engagement, strengthen workplace culture and encourage cross-functional collaboration.
Research from Babson College found employees who attended corporate off-sites were 24 percent more likely to receive collaboration requests from colleagues outside their immediate teams, reinforcing the role retreats can play in breaking down organizational silos. A 2025 report from HIGH5 also found that teams participating in structured team-building activities increased productivity by 14 percent and profitability by 23 percent.
From golf clinics to fishing excursions, surfing lessons and cocktail-crafting sessions, these resorts across the U.S. and Mexico are creating immersive team-building experiences that encourage collaboration, strengthen workplace relationships and keep attendees engaged long after the retreat ends.
California
Groups can learn the fundamentals of surfing through lessons led by Southern California instructors hand-selected by professional surfer Jamie O’Brien, known for his expertise on Oahu’s North Shore. As the first surf school of its kind on the mainland under his direction, the program is designed for beginners, offering structured, hands-on instruction in a supportive group setting. Attendees build confidence together while learning on the gentler waves off Coronado Island.
Florida
The Islands of Islamorada
Groups trade the boardroom for the water during guided fishing experiences designed to encourage teamwork and shared problem-solving. Beginner attendees can start with shoreline fishing lessons before the resort’s Coastal Concierge pairs teams with captains for offshore adventures ranging from nighttime fishing excursions to seasonal Wahoo trolling. After a day on the water, groups regroup at the resort’s villas for collaborative catch-and-cook dinners, turning the day’s experience into an interactive culinary event that encourages conversation and team connection.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
At Waldorf Astoria Orlando, guided mixology experiences turn spirits education into an interactive group activity that sparks conversation and collaboration. Attendees sample curated flights of premium whiskey, including selections from different regions, paired with complementary bites while an expert leads the session through flavor profiles, production techniques and origin stories. Groups can also choose tequila or rum tastings, each delivered in a structured, hands-on format that encourages interaction and shared discovery throughout the experience.
The Biltmore Hotel Miami Coral Gables
Groups can take part in custom golf clinics at the Jim McLean Golf School, set on the property’s historic 18-hole championship course originally designed by Donald Ross in 1925. The sessions blend hands-on instruction with team-based learning, encouraging collaboration and friendly competition as attendees refine their skills. The experience is further elevated by the course’s professional pedigree, which has helped shape the development of players, including Bubba Watson.
Pier Sixty-Six
Pier Sixty-Six is offering an IGFA Fishing Class & Offshore Excursion designed for business travelers and corporate groups. The two-part experience begins with a hands-on session led by experts from the International Game Fish Association, followed by an offshore excursion aboard the HammerCat with a tournament-winning crew. The program combines education, networking and sportfishing in a marina setting geared toward incentive groups and executive retreats.
Hawaii
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
At Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, teams can take part in beginner ukulele lessons and Hawaiian language sessions, while outdoor activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, paddleboarding and canoeing encourage collaboration in a natural setting. Additional workshops, including gardening and other experiential activities, give attendees more opportunities to engage with one another beyond the traditional meeting environment.
Mexico
Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya
At Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, chef-led Tulkal Cooking Classes turn culinary collaboration into a hands-on team-building experience. Small groups work together to prepare dishes inspired by Mediterranean, Japanese, pan-Asian and traditional Maya cuisines while learning techniques directly from resort chefs. The experience culminates as teams gather to enjoy the meal they’ve created, reinforcing collaboration through shared cultural discovery and group interaction.
Texas
Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa
At Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa, groups explore the Texas Hill Country through guided horseback riding excursions designed to encourage connection and relationship building in a relaxed outdoor setting. Afterwards, groups can gather at the resort’s Wild Pony Hat Bar, where they design custom hats together as a creative, hands-on takeaway that extends the team-building experience beyond the trail.
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