Planning a corporate outing? Excellent. You’re already ahead of the “boxed lunch in a conference room” crowd.
After years of hosting team events, here’s what separates the good outings from the ones people actually talk about months later.
1. Gently Encourage People to Play
There will always be a few hesitant people.
“I don’t want to get hit.”
“I’m not athletic.”
“I’ll just watch.”
Encourage them anyway.
It truly does not hurt that bad. And once people get through the first round, the hesitation usually disappears. The energy shifts. The nerves turn into adrenaline.
No one ever regrets playing. Plenty of people regret sitting out.
2. Mix Activities If You Have a Mixed Group
Corporate groups often have a wide range of personalities.
Some people are ready to go full tactical mode. Others would prefer something a little less intense.
Good news: you don’t have to choose just one activity.
You can mix and match:
- Regular impact paintball
- Low impact paintball
- Axe throwing
- Archery tag
Let the adrenaline junkies go all in while others pick something more their speed. Everyone still participates. Everyone still bonds.
3. Arrive Early (And Carpool If You Can)
Waivers. Parking. Getting organized.
Encourage:
- Waivers signed ahead of time
- Arriving 15–20 minutes early
- Carpooling when possible
We have a large parking lot, but fewer cars makes the whole arrival process smoother and more social.
Nothing kills momentum like waiting around for someone who’s “5 minutes out.”
4. Take the Rest of the Day Off
This one is important.
If you’re going to do a corporate outing, commit to it.
Don’t schedule paintball at 10:00 AM and expect everyone back at their desks by 2:00 PM pretending it’s a normal Tuesday.
Give them a half day. Or the whole day.
You’ll get more goodwill from that decision than any catered lunch ever provided.
5. Plan to Hang Out After
The real magic happens after the last game.
When people:
- Rehash the best shots
- Laugh about who panicked
- Argue about who carried the team
- Swap stories
You’re welcome to:
- Bring charcoal and grill out
- Have food delivered
- Hang out in the staging area
That decompression time is where connections solidify.
Final Thought
The best corporate outings have:
- Real stakes
- Shared objectives
- A little discomfort
- And time to connect afterward
If you give your team something to conquer together, the culture benefits stick around long after the bruises fade.
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