I used to absolutely detest team building exercises. Whenever I attended a training or function that required us to break up into small groups and work as a team, I would roll my eyes in the back of my head and pray that it would be over quickly.
However, during my time as a serving member of the International Reserve Police Officer’s Association, I got the privilege of going to Bermuda to see how their police force operated and on the conference agenda was team building. While I initially dreaded this portion of the conference, looking back, it was one of my greatest memories from those 10 days.
What made this team building experience so different was how unique it was. Even though the destination in and of itself was gorgeous, the tasks we had to complete weren’t like anything I had ever done before.
We did things like getting up on an uneven wooden platform one person at a time to see how many people we could accommodate while still keeping it level. We walked across a tight rope with a partner, seeing how far apart we could get without falling, relying on the strength of the other person to keep us upright. It was completely unconventional and something I will always fondly remember.
This got me wondering what types of unique team building destinations were a little bit closer to home. Two that I located really piqued my interest, and they may just pique yours too if you’re looking for something to make your team more cohesive in a fun and engaging kind of way. The best part is, one is on the east coast and one is on the west, giving you access to a one-of-a-kind experience whichever side of the U.S. your small business is on.
East Coast – Ultimate Event Nashville
What makes Ultimate Event Nashville completely unique, according to owners and producers Larry Sheridan and Robin Ruddy, is that your team gets to write and record their very own song or jingle with a #1 hit songwriter in a Grammy award winning studio (Parlor Productions). Plus, as Larry reveals, “You can’t do this in any other town,” which definitely makes this experience extra unique!
If you choose to split your group up into multiple teams, you will have a grand time competing with each to see who can be the most creative and best sounding, while enjoying lots of laughs along the way. No doubt you will all walk away from this experience with a ton of great memories, and a group photo to commemorate your event. Some businesses that have used Ultimate Event Nashville for their team building experience include AMEX, General Electric, Pepsico, State Farm, Grainger, and Caterpillar, just to name a few.
If this sounds like something you want to do with your employees, you can contact Larry and Robin by going to the Book My Event page on their website and supplying the requested information. This will allow them to give you a proper price quote based on your needs.
West Coast – Feet First Events
What caught my attention with Feet First Events is the fact that they offer such a wide array of fun and completely different team building experiences. As Warren Press, V.P. of Sales and Marketing puts it, “We are not a venue or event location. Rather we provide unique, interactive events all over California. We do our events on movie backlots, on the beach, in city centers, and inside restaurants or ballrooms.” Exciting, right?
…we provide unique, interactive events all over California. We do our events on movie backlots, on the beach, in city centers, and inside restaurants or ballrooms.
The team building events that Feet First offers include making your own movie, commercial, or music video. You can also achieve a more cohesive team by doing exercises that involve game shows, Flugtag (which is building an airplane), NASCAR, and more!
Feet First is also unique in that they can combine team building with charity. For instance, they have teams build landmarks out of canned goods and then donate them to local food banks. Or, they decorate Toms Shoes and give them to homeless shelters. This is a great way to build morale while giving back to the community at the same time.
Companies that have used Feet First Events for their team building experience include Intel, Universal Studios, Nestle, Guitar Center, AFLAC, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Genentech, Guess, Samsung, and Johnson & Johnson.
If this sounds like an experience that would be perfect for your team, you can call (800) 393-3338 or email Warren at [email protected].
Have you ever participated in a team building event and loved it? If so, feel free to share it in the comment section below!
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