A company retreat can be a meaningful team building experience. Or it could be a complete disaster. Planning the retreat is the best way to prevent things from going wrong.

If you’re never planned a company retreat before, it will seem overwhelming at first. There’s a lot of things to consider.

Here are five things to get you started.

Location

Vegas might sound super exciting, but it could be difficult to get to. Or it might not interest your coworkers.

Consider having a survey with several potential locations. You won’t find a place that everyone loves, but you can probably find a place most people are interested in.

Many locations specialize in corporate retreats and events. Some will even organize activities and outings for you.

Think about travel time and costs when picking a location. Saving money on a bus might sound appealing, but being stuck on a bus with your coworkers for seven hours might not be pleasant.

Flying can be more expensive, but if you book the company retreat as a group you can get a better deal.

Technology

If you’re going to give presentations, you’ll need equipment. This will probably include laptops, cables, and charging devices.

Think about the printing options available at the hotel. If you have a huge packet for your staff, print this out ahead of time.

When traveling internationally, think about cell phone plans and outlet adapters. Not all of your employees will be able to afford this for themselves.

Your employees will probably want wifi access, especially if they have kids back at home. Make sure the hotel is equipped for large bandwidth.

Ask what the conference rooms are like and if the hotel offers technical support. Most hotels have pictures of their conference rooms online.

Activities

There’s a reason it’s called a company retreat and not a company conference. Without a bit of rest and relaxation, it’s not fun.

If you’re going to a location with stunning scenery, organize a hike or something adventurous like surfing lessons. Keep in mind that not everyone is up for physical activity.

It’s good to have some backup plans. You might feel like you’re back in summer camp, but team-building activities never get old.

No one wants to spend their entire trip with their colleagues. Schedule free time or make some of the outings optional.

Travel can wear people down, so your coworkers might need more time to relax than usual. Let them sleep in and be flexible with scheduling.

Amenities

It’s hard to find a hotel that fits everyone’s needs. Most employees will probably want their own room, but they might not have a problem with sharing a suite.

Make sure the hotel has a good breakfast and that the rate is included with the booking. Ask what other specials they have for business trips or a company retreat.

Ideally, pick a hotel that has a fitness center and a pool. Make sure there’s time in the schedule for your coworkers to get in their daily jog or go for a short swim.

Ask ahead of time if anyone has special needs or requests. Maybe you never knew that someone was vegetarian or allergic to nuts.

If anyone needs handicap accessible options, mention this to the hotel in advance.

Everyone’s needs are different, and it’s important that they are met, even if they seem odd to you.

Flexibility

Things can go wrong. The flight could be canceled, a storm could roll in, or half of your staff could get sick.

The more you plan, the more prepared you will be. It’s impossible to have a backup plan or be prepared for everything.

You should always have a rain plan and look up alternative hotels in the area ahead of time. If the hotel has messed up your booking or doesn’t meet your standards, you’ll need to switch.

Welcome feedback from your coworkers. If they don’t like a particular activity, don’t stick with it.

Throughout the company retreat, ask the team how things are going. Do a survey afterward to improve next time.

Conclusion

Planning a good retreat is tough and exhausting. If you keep these things in mind, the trip is bound to be a rewarding experience.