They say a change is as good as a holiday, but what if you could have both? Picture this: your team gathered together, spirits high, ready to embark on a corporate retreat like no other. Forget the mundane and embrace the extraordinary with retreat themes that will leave your team buzzing with excitement. From sustainability to retro revival, festival fun to the metaverse, we've got you covered with the ultimate guide to retreat inspiration for your next team retreat. The Moniker team loves a good retreat theme, and nothing is better than spicing up an event with added creativity!

Why Retreat Themes Can Be Beneficial: 

Before we dive into the exciting world of retreat themes, and Moniker’s personal favourites, let's take a moment to explore why theming your retreat can be a game-changer for your team. Themed retreats offer a unique opportunity to create a cohesive and memorable experience for your team members. By incorporating a specific theme, you can set the tone for the retreat, spark creativity, foster camaraderie, and encourage participation. Themes provide a common thread that ties activities together, making the retreat more engaging and immersive. Additionally, themed retreats can boost morale, ignite enthusiasm, and offer a break from the routine, injecting a sense of fun and excitement into the work environment. Even better - it gives your guests something exciting to look forward to, and injects a little bit of extra creativity in the lead-up! 

Keep reading for Moniker’s top tried-and-true retreat theme ideas that are guaranteed to spice up your next retreat!

1. Sustainability & Wellness

‍Get eco-friendly and go green with a retreat theme focused on sustainability. The sustainability and wellness industries are growing in popularity, so why not include this in your corporate retreat? Dive into a captivating speaker series highlighting environmental warriors, engage in team-building activities that make a positive impact, and indulge in sustainable decor that turns heads. Not to mention the eco-conscious gifting options that will make everyone feel good about doing their part for the planet. You can organize sustainability workshops with experts, participate in eco-friendly volunteering activities, and have conversations centred around sustainability in the workplace. The sustainability theme will not only educate and inspire your team but also leave a positive mark on the environment and the community around you.

What This Might Look Like: 

  • Hosting outdoor events 
  • Sunrise yoga or fitness classes
  • Eco-conscious decor
  • Reusable name tags
  • Gifts from ethical companies 

2. Retro Revival

‍Break out the bell-bottoms, tease those hairdos, and take a trip back in time. The retro revival theme is a crowd-pleaser that transcends age groups. Tailor different events to different eras, from 60s flower power to 80s arcade gaming. Let your team unleash their inner John Travolta or Madonna as they dance their cares away, creating memories that will have them reminiscing for years to come. Set up a retro-themed cinema night featuring classic movies, organize a ‘eras’ inspired cooking class, or even have a retro fashion show. The possibilities are endless with the retro revival theme, and the nostalgia it evokes will create a bond among your team members. The best part about a retro-themed retreat? It can be tailored to the ages of your employees, so nobody feels left out! 

What This Might Look Like: 

  • Dinners themed by era
  • ‘Dances’ with retro music 
  • Retro hairdo station 
  • Trivia from the ages 
  • Retro-themed show and tell 

3. Festival Fun

‍Channel your inner festival-goer and bring the Coachella vibes to your corporate retreat. Create an atmosphere of camaraderie under twinkly lights and outdoor settings. From live performances to interactive workshops, let the spirit of celebration and creativity come alive. Who said work couldn't be a party? Set up different festival-style booths offering various activities like DIY crafts, henna tattoos, or even a silent disco. You can also have a team-building scavenger hunt within the festival area or a music-themed trivia night. Festival fun retreats are all about letting loose, having fun, and enjoying the vibrant energy that comes with it. 

What This Might Look Like: 

  • Personalized festival name (Think: ‘Company Name’-chella, or ‘Company Name’ Woodstock!)
  • Dinners under twinkle lights
  • Outdoor meetings 
  • Temporary tattoo stations 
  • Silent disco evening activity 
  • Sunset karaoke 

4. Enter the Metaverse

‍Step into the future with a retreat theme that embraces the boundless possibilities of the metaverse. Showcase the latest AI technologies and cutting-edge innovations, and create an immersive experience where fantasy merges with reality. From holographic displays to futuristic decor, this theme is sure to transport your team into a world of wonder and excitement. Host interactive workshops featuring virtual reality experiences, organize brainstorming sessions on future technologies, or even set up a gaming zone with the latest virtual reality games. With the metaverse retreat theme idea, you can foster a sense of exploration and experimentation among your team members.

What This Might Look Like: 

  • Avatar name tags
  • Virtual reality evening games
  • Holographic speaker series 
  • Virtual reality movie night 

5. Global Cultures

‍Celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures around the world with a retreat theme that takes your team on a global journey. Ideal for companies that are bringing employees together from around the world, each day could represent a different culture, complete with themed activities, culinary delights, and cultural performances. Experience the vibrant colours of India, the rhythmic beats of Africa, or the tranquil elegance of Japan, directly from your own teams. Get employees involved with individual event themes, or have them bring their local delicacy for everyone to share! Host workshops where team members share their cultural traditions, or organize cooking classes featuring dishes from different countries. This theme not only fosters cultural appreciation but also encourages collaboration and a deeper understanding among team members.

What This Might Look Like: 

  • Cultural candy swap
  • Continent-themed dinners 
  • Global karaoke 
  • International Amazing Race 
  • Try a new sport activity (Think: Irish hurling, netball, or rugby!)

6. Miami Vice

‍Embrace the luxurious vibes of Miami Vice with a theme that oozes pastel suits and neon colours. Let your team indulge in the glitz and glam as they sip on tropical mocktails and dance to vibrant beats. Picture the beachside soirées, jazzed-up meetings, retro-chic pool parties, and team-building exercises that have your team feeling like they're living the high life on South Beach. You can set up a mocktail-making competition, organize a team-building beach volleyball tournament, or even hire a salsa instructor for a fun dance workshop. The Miami Vice theme adds a touch of glamour and excitement to your retreat, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone. Bring on the flamingos! 

What This Might Look Like: 

  • Neon-themed decor
  • Latin dance show 
  • Mocktail-making competition
  • Miami-themed breakouts
  • DIY craft table 

7. Old Luxury‍

For those with a taste for the extravagant, why not turn your retreat into a glamorous affair evoking old-world luxury? Think Casino Royale nights, Gatsby-inspired parties, and lavish banquets fit for kings and queens. Your team will relish the opportunity to dress up, showcase their inner James Bond or Daisy Buchanan, and revel in the opulence of a bygone era. Arrange a casino-themed evening with professional croupiers and games, host a masquerade ball where team members can show off their stunning masks, or even organize a murder mystery dinner (one of the Moniker team’s favourite activities!). The old luxury theme adds a touch of elegance and sophistication, creating a retreat experience that feels special and indulgent.

What This Might Look Like: 

  • Casino nights (without the real gambling!)
  • DIY 20’s headpiece station 
  • Great Gatsby after party 
  • Old car onsite activation 
  • Luxury-themed trivia 

From sustainability warriors to retro divas, festival enthusiasts to metaverse explorers, embrace these retreat themes that are destined to bring your team together in a whirlwind of excitement and camaraderie. Everyone will return feeling refreshed, realigned and re-energized to keep striving for your joint goals! So, raise your glasses, dust off those neon leg warmers, and let the retreat Renaissance begin! If you need destination ideas check out our other recommendations in California, Colorado, Texas, London, Mexico, Lisbon and The UK. Ready to get started? Contact us or check out our steps to planning a company retreat. Happy Planning!