Forgettable Company Retreats Are A Waste Of Money. Do This Instead.

In this post, we’re sharing 4 simple but powerful tricks to create retreats your team will talk about for years. From surprise moments to experience design rooted in psychology.

Let’s be honest: most company retreats feel like yesterday’s lunch. You remember eating, but not much else.

At Lá Fora, we believe company retreat ideas shouldn’t be pulled from a generic list. The best ones are designed intentionally – with purpose, delight, and a few psychological tricks in mind.

Here are 4 retreat design principles we swear by – inspired by the book The Power of Moments.

1️⃣ Turn Up the Volume

You don’t need to make every moment magical – just turn up the volume on a few. Make them look better, taste better, sound better. Those are the ones that stick.

Think about it: when do people reach for their phones to take pictures? That instinct says, “I want to remember this.” That’s your sweet spot.

🌟 Ideas to try:

Host the welcome drinks somewhere scenic – on a rooftop, in a vineyard, under fairy lights.
Upgrade a standard dinner into a candlelight concert.
Bring in a local pastry chef for a surprise treat break.

You don’t need a big budget. You just need to invest in peak moments.

2️⃣ Raise the Stakes (Just a Bit)

We bond when we struggle – together.

Adding a small challenge or goal creates a sense of shared purpose. It doesn’t need to be extreme, just meaningful.

🏆 Ideas to try:

Create a group challenge that ties into your values (like a sustainability scavenger hunt).
Organise a “pitch night” where teams build and present bold new ideas.
Add a countdown or deadline to a workshop and make the room buzz.

Retreats are the perfect time to shift energy and re-align. A little productive pressure can create a big connection.

3️⃣ Break Expectations

Surprise is your superpower.

A TripAdvisor study found that when guests experienced a delightful surprise, 94% said they’d recommend the place. That’s the power of the unexpected.

🌀 Ideas to try:

Start with a “boring” agenda… then flip the script on day one.
Plan a silent hike with a guided meditation at the top.
End with a secret dinner in a location they’ve never seen.

Surprises don’t just feel good – they literally slow down time. That’s why kids feel like summers last forever. Novelty changes our perception of time.

4️⃣ Don’t Fall into the Trap of Reasonableness

Would it be more reasonable to hike directly from your venue? Sure.
But is it more memorable to drive 15 minutes and cross a suspension bridge with panoramic views? Absolutely.

“Reasonableness” is the silent killer of memorable retreats. It’s what tells you to settle for what’s nearby, easy, or cheap – even if it means deflating the most magical moments.

🧠 Reframe it like this: if a small detour leads to a lasting memory, it’s probably worth it.

📍Ideas to try: