My favorite episodes of “The Office,” NBC’s so-real-it’s-scary sitcom, always involve the party planning committee. This austere group is headed by Angela, who – with lips forced into a smile and headband firmly in place – assures the committee members that fun can be neatly scheduled between 4:15 and 5 on a Friday afternoon.
Happily, most offices have adopted a more casual approach to corporate outings, seeking activities and venues that allow hard-working employees to relax and perhaps develop stronger team spirit and enhance their communications skills.
The Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau works with more than 143 groups from around the world each year to plan conferences, meetings and conventions. Many are looking to entertain and enlighten their attendees through corporate outings. Here are some suggestions that have been big hits with our visitors:
Swirl and sip:
The New England Wine School in Bristol works with corporate groups to develop customized programs built around wine tasting. They offer ice-breakers, team-building exercises, corporate receptions and private wine dinners.
Several local vineyards, including Greenvale Vineyards, Newport Vineyards and Sakonnet Vineyards, also offer breathtaking settings for corporate events.
Go behind the scenes:
Chef Cindy Salvato, a former instructor at Johnson & Wales University and a certified executive pastry chef, offers a three-hour “insider’s tour” of Federal Hill that takes small groups – no more than a baker’s dozen – through the shops, restaurants and bakeries that line Atwells Avenue.
Or to literally go behind the scenes, check with local theaters to arrange for your group to view dress rehearsals of performances.
Do some good:
Working on behalf of nonprofit organizations is a great way for offices to bond and have a little fun. Your group will see WaterFire in a whole new way by volunteering to tend the fires. The Rhode Island Community Food Bank can host groups up to 60 to sort, inspect and package products for distribution.
There are also plenty of road races, walk-a-thons and bike races scheduled throughout the year in which corporate teams can participate.
Feel like a kid again:
Dave & Buster’s offers organized team challenges in its meeting facilities, or you can just let your employees loose on the Midway to battle aliens and race sports cars.
Many local meeting planners also arrange scavenger hunts through local towns or neighborhoods.
Head to the kitchen:
Cooking is an excellent team-building exercise. Several local restaurants and venues offer cooking classes for groups. Johnson & Wales offers a “Chef’s Choice” program of one-day cooking classes held in its kitchen/classrooms.
Chef Walter Potenza, owner of Spezia Foodsmiths and Walter’s Restaurant, has created a series of hands-on cooking programs designed to strengthen teams and demonstrate the need to work together effectively. Geppetto’s Pizzeria offers pizza-making classes and demonstrations.
The Federal Reserve offers a truly unique corporate training experience that combines cocktails, culinary arts and croquet. The three-part program begins with a mixology class, complete with would-be bartenders engaging in a cocktail “shake-off.” This is followed by a comprehensive cooking class with a crêpe-flipping contest. Finally, teams participate in a head-to-head shoot-off on the venue’s indoor croquet court.
Hit the high seas: The Providence Piers takes passengers on a guided 90-minute boat cruise of upper Narragansett Bay and the Providence waterfront.
There are also several charter boat companies throughout Rhode Island that offer cruises for groups large and small.
Kristen Adamo is vice president of marketing and communications for the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more information on area attractions and venues, go to www.pwcvb.com.
