A corporate away day is one of the biggest investments you'll make in your team. Get it right, and you'll see improved morale, stronger relationships, and better collaboration for months. Get it wrong, and you've wasted budget on an awkward day that people joke about for the wrong reasons.
This guide walks you through every step of planning an away day that delivers real results.
1Define Your Objectives
Before anything else, answer: What do you want this day to achieve?
Your objective shapes everything: venue choice, activities, agenda structure, and how you measure success.
2Set Your Budget
Typical corporate away days cost £75-£200 per person for a full day. Here's how that typically breaks down:
| Item | % of Budget |
|---|---|
| Venue hire | 25-35% |
| Catering | 20-30% |
| Activities/Entertainment | 20-30% |
| Transport | 10-15% |
| Contingency | 5-10% |
3Planning Timeline
Start planning 8-12 weeks ahead for the best venue and supplier availability.
Set objectives, budget, and date. Book venue.
Confirm activities and entertainment. Send save-the-date.
Finalise agenda. Arrange transport and catering.
Send detailed invites. Confirm final numbers.
Final briefings. Confirm all suppliers.
4Choose the Right Venue
The venue sets the tone. Consider:
- Location: Central enough for everyone, but far enough to feel like a "day away"
- Space: Room for activities, breakout areas, and catering
- Facilities: AV equipment, WiFi, parking, accessibility
- Vibe: Does it match your company culture? Modern, traditional, quirky?
Pro tip: Hotels with conference facilities often offer competitive day delegate rates (£40-£80pp) including room hire, AV, and catering.
5Plan the Activities
The best away days balance work and play. A typical structure:
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