7 tips and ideas for organising an original company seminar

When a company seminar is out of the ordinary

While company seminars are still the norm, a new trend is emerging within companies: theoriginal company seminar. 
Far from traditional work sessions, the team-building seminar is organised to meet multiple objectives. Strengthening cohesion between teams, integrating new employees, rewarding good results... Organising a seminar away from the company premises means putting all the participants in a little bubble for a few days. But how do you go about organising an original company seminar? How do you set up your project with flawless organisation? What unusual ideas can surprise participants? 

Discover our tips and ideas for an original company seminar.

Ideas for original company seminars

A company seminar is the ultimate event for bringing people together. Delighted and boosted, a grateful team feels more committed to its work. It's hardly surprising that so many companies use them to motivate or remotivate their staff. 
To keep a memorable souvenir of this exceptional day or stay, there's nothing like an original activity to please everyone! Whether it's around a specific theme or simply for the pleasure of getting together and exchanging ideas away from the office, there's no shortage of ideas for entertaining your teams!  Of course, it's essential to take everyone's physical abilities into account so that no one is left out!!
Here are some ideas for original company seminars that are sure to appeal to your employees:

Ideas for outdoor activities

 - Treasure hunt,
 - Buggy rides,
 - Paintball,
 - Escape game,
 - Murder party,
 - Hiking,
 - Picnic
Outdoors activities will allow your staff to enjoy themselves while exploring the outdoor environment, promoting conviviality and relaxation while strengthening team bonds. Nature excursions offer an opportunity torecharge your batteries and share authentic moments in the great outdoors, reinforcing the values of collaboration and adventure.

Ideas for fun experiences

 - Creative workshops (creating a collective street art fresco, embroidery, painting apéro etc.),
 - Giant escape games,
 - Themed evenings (90s, gala, white, masquerade ball, time travel etc..),
 - Murder party,
 - Theatrical improvisation
These activities stimulate creativity, problem-solving and social interaction. These playful activities encourage informal communication between team members and strengthen cohesion through fun challenges.

Ideas for relaxation and well-being activities

 - Meditation,
 - Yoga,
 - Sophrology,
 - Amma massage,
 - Healthy cooking classes,
 - Guided relaxation,
 - Conscious breathing
These moments of relaxation and inner connection, will help your employees to manage stress and improve their physical and mental well-being. These practices promote a healthier working environment and weld bonds between participants through soothing experiences.

Ideas for culinary and gastronomic activities

 - Tastings of local produce,
 - Visits to vineyards,
 - Chocolate tasting workshop,
 - Team cooking competition,
 - Mixology class,
 - Blind tasting experience
These types of activities bring participants together around unique local flavours, creating informal conversations and opportunities for sharing. These culinary experiences stimulate the senses and encourage an appreciation of local culture.

Ideas for virtual activities

Virtual reality activities offer a unique immersion in virtual worlds, allowing employees to share extraordinary adventures without leaving the event venue. This adds a modern, technological entertainment dimension to the experience.

Ideas for fun activities

 - Smash Room,
 - Boxing class,
 - Axe throwing,
 - Inverted bungee jump,
 - Primal scream session
These activities will allow participantsto relax, let off steam and get rid of built-up tension in a fun and safe way.

Travel and exploration

Travelling in France or abroad offers an exceptional opportunity to discover new cultures, reinforcing open-mindedness and intercultural understanding within the team. Exploring a new environment together creates lasting memories and strengthens bonds. Discover the best destinations for a seminar in France in this article.

Our advice for a successful company seminar

At the origin of your seminar project, there's the idea. Why do you want to organise this type of event? That's the first question to ask yourself. Do you want to unveil the company's new strategy? Reconnect with your employees? Or celebrate the year's achievements? Naturally, the answers you give will lead to other questions. For example: who are you going to invite? Is it an all-staff seminar? Just managers? You also need to consider how long this break from the office will last. Are you going to include working hours, or is it an opportunity to share some fun time away from work constraints? And let's not forget the commute time, which can interfere with the timing! 

Drawing up a precise programme for a successful company seminar

One of the essential stages in organising a company seminar is drawing up the programme. Without planning, it's impossible to set up a project and all the logistics that go with it. So you need to anticipate and plan activities likely to appeal to everyone. 
Brainstorming, debriefing, cultural outings, physical activities.... Make sure you balance the day so that no one finds the time long. Also remember to give participants a few moments of freedom. Although it's a break for colleagues, they'll appreciate having a few moments to themselves. To make it a success, you'll need to plan everything in advance to minimise the risk of unforeseen events. 

Find the perfect location for your original corporate seminar

Depending on the theme you've chosen and/or the activities you're planning, all you have to do is find the perfect venue for your business event. 
Some venues offer rooms dedicated to business meetings, while also providing sufficient catering and accommodation to accommodate everyone. But to spice up your event, how about going a little off the beaten track? By opting for an atypical venue, you're sure to surprise your staff!  It could be a hotel in the countryside, a city-centre hotel for more festive evenings, a chalet in the mountains in winter, or accommodation in troglodyte houses.For example, we organised a business seminar in the heart of nature for FAGUO. Around a large campfire were teepees to house the team members. In the centre, a larger tipi provided a place for everyone to share and exchange ideas.  With our expertise in event organisation, anything is possible! 

Encouraging discussion with employees

Although you know the team around you, the chemistry between the participants is the key to making your corporate event a success. That's why it's important to set up spaces and activities to encourage exchanges between them and stimulate their creativity. Tongues are loosened, ideas are exchanged... Nothing but positive things will come out of it for the way your company operates. 
These days, there are plenty of digital solutions to make communication more fluid. During meetings, you can use interactive applications and software. In the evening, why not organise a cocktail party in a large reception room, which is more convivial than a dinner where every seat is determined? If the venue lends itself to it, think about creating a lounge area and a games corner equipped with table football, a pool table, a vintage pinball machine... 
A green setting is also a space conducive to relaxation, perfect for oxygenating the mind while enjoying nature!   Thanks to our experience, we are able to install all the necessary infrastructure to optimise the configuration of atypical venues, for the greatest comfort of those present!  

How to immortalise your original corporate seminar?

Your seminar lived up to all your expectations, as evidenced by the compliments of your team? If everyone has a smartphone to capture the highlights of this extraordinary professional event, don't forget that a small gift is always much appreciated;

 - A video capture of key moments allows you to relive the emotions, laughter and surprise effects of the seminar.
 - A photobooth is excellent entertainment at a banquet or festive evening.
 - Usable goodies in your corporate colours is also a great way to please your staff. 

Specialising in event organisation, we're here to help you make a lasting impression on your team. Our experts can create specific events and manage all the logistics, to make your seminar a highlight in the life of your company.
Because organising an original corporate seminar takes time, ideas and a lot of organisation, our team's experience and expertise are real assets. With our experts at your side, nothing will be left to chance to ensure that your unusual seminar is a complete success.