Ideas
26 Corporate Event Ideas, Sorted by What You Want the Day to Do
Pick the goal: bonding, competition, giving back, skills, celebration or a conference energizer. Then start from the facilitated programs we recommend for it, delivered anywhere in the continental U.S. with no added travel costs.
Today’s City SmartHunt experience was phenomenal. We had loads of fun, the weather was beautiful, and the activities were loads of fun — very interactive, very creative. Hands down the best teambuilding exercise ever devised… hands down.
Anchar, Bracco Diagnostics
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Tell us about your group
Rough headcount, city and date are plenty. A planner replies the same business day.
What are the best corporate event ideas?
The best corporate event is the one built for the outcome you need, so start there. A group that needs to meet each other wants a scavenger hunt such as City SmartHunt® or a round of Speed Networking. A group that needs to blow off steam wants a game show like Best Corporate Feud or a Team Olympics. A group that wants to feel good about the company wants to build and donate bikes with Bike Build Donation®. A team with a real working problem wants Competition to Collaboration® or a DiSC Workshop.
Below are 26 ideas, at least four for each goal, with the group size and time each one takes. Most are run by a professional BEST facilitator and delivered anywhere in the continental U.S. with no added travel costs; a few you can run yourselves.
- Founded
- 2010
- Group sizes across the catalog
- 30 to 6,000+
- Programs for fun and engaging interaction
- 86
- Programs for friendly competition
- 69
The list
Ideas to bond a new or merged team
1. City scavenger hunt
Teams race across the host city on iPads, solving clues and taking photo challenges, with live scoring and a finale. City SmartHunt® takes 30 to 1,000+ in 2 to 2.5 hours.
See the activity2 to 2.5 hours
2. Speed networking
Timed conversation rounds rotate people across roles and departments, so everyone meets someone new. 1 to 2 hours for 30 to 1,000+, indoors or out.
See the activity1 to 2 hours
3. Amazing Chase-style race
After an icebreaker, teams armed with iPads tackle missions and puzzles against the clock. A good pick when the group wants to move. 2 to 2.5 hours.
See the activity2 to 2.5 hours
4. Mixed-team lunch
Seat people at tables of six from different departments and give each table three questions to answer together. Free, an hour long, and easy to repeat every quarter.
5. Where-we-grew-up map
Hang a large map and ask everyone to pin where they grew up, then pair people who pinned far apart for a coffee that week. Free, and it runs itself.
6. Guided city walk
Book a local walking tour and split the group into tours of 15 to 20, mixed by department. An easy first afternoon at an offsite with nothing to prepare beyond the booking.
The list
Ideas to compete and have fun
7. Hosted game show
A survey game show with face-off podiums and buzzers. Teams of 6 to 10 compete for the board while All Play questions keep the room in it. 1 to 1.5 hours.
See the activity1 to 1.5 hours
8. Team Olympics
Relays and field events for teams, indoors or outdoors. The high-energy pick on this list, at 1.5 to 2 hours for 30 to 1,000+.
See the activity1.5 to 2 hours
9. Food truck cook-off
Teams name a company, design a logo, build a truck and cook a dish, then everyone samples the results. Food Truck Face-Off runs indoors in 2 to 2.5 hours.
See the activity2 to 2.5 hours
10. Trivia night
Game show trivia with a host, real-time scoring and live leaderboards. Trivia Blast Live! runs in 1 to 1.5 hours and works in a ballroom or outdoors.
See the activity1 to 1.5 hours
The list
Ideas that give back
11. Bike build for kids
Teams earn parts in quick challenges, build new bicycles and donate them, with helmets and locks, to children from a local charity. 1.5 to 2 hours.
See the activity1.5 to 2 hours
12. Guitar build for young musicians
Teams build guitars from custom kits for teens through schools and youth organizations. Build-a-Guitar® runs indoors in 2 to 2.5 hours.
See the activity2 to 2.5 hours
13. Care package build
Teams earn supplies through games, then pack care packages for community organizations that support people in need. 1.5 to 2 hours, indoors or out.
See the activity1.5 to 2 hours
14. Volunteer day
Ask a local food bank, school or shelter what it needs and book a half day as a team. Call four to six weeks ahead: popular dates fill early, especially in November and December.
The list
Ideas that build skills
15. Collaboration training
Competition to Collaboration® is a trademarked training program with a surprise twist that reinforces working across teams. 2.5 to 3 hours.
See the activity2.5 to 3 hours
16. DiSC workshop
Everyone takes the DiSC assessment, then a DiSC-certified trainer spends 3 to 4 hours on how each style works and communicates. For teams of any size.
See the activity3 to 4 hours
17. Lunch-and-learn swap
Ask volunteers to teach a 15-minute session on something they know well, from a spreadsheet shortcut to a hobby. Three sessions fill a lunch hour.
18. Problem-solving sprint
Give mixed teams one real question the business faces and two hours to bring back a proposal. End with each team presenting for five minutes.
The list
Ideas to celebrate
19. After-dinner game show
Our take on the TV quiz, with contestant podiums, sound effects, a projected answer board and a professional host. 1 to 1.5 hours in any ballroom.
See the activity1 to 1.5 hours
20. Chocolate build
Teams earn chocolate and candy through iPad challenges, then design and build a themed structure with it. Indoors in 1.5 to 2 hours.
See the activity1.5 to 2 hours
21. Tapas and sangria competition
Teams become wineries that create, make and market their own sangria and tapas. A hands-on food event for 30 to 1,000+, indoors or out.
See the activity1.5 to 2 hours
22. Awards night
Pair dinner with awards the team votes on, a few for results and a few just for fun. Keep speeches short and finish with something everyone plays together.
The list
Ideas to energize a conference
23. Tabletop challenge rounds
One-minute challenges played at every table at once and scored live by the host. A Minute 2 Win It! fits a general session in 1.5 to 2 hours.
See the activity1.5 to 2 hours
24. Conference kickoff quiz
Open the first morning with hosted trivia about the company and the host city, so tables meet before the first session.
See the activity1 to 1.5 hours
25. VR murder mystery
Teams explore a VR crime scene and share AR evidence on a live dashboard to crack the case. An evening event in 1 to 2 hours.
See the activity1 to 2 hours
26. Virtual game show for remote attendees
A 60 to 75 minute online game show with a professional MC on Zoom, Microsoft Teams or your platform, with no app download.
See the activity60 to 75 minutes
In depth
Unique corporate team building activities
Several of our programs exist nowhere else. Bike Build Donation®, City SmartHunt®, Build-a-Guitar® and Competition to Collaboration® are original, trademarked programs. Mavericks Murder Mystery combines virtual and augmented reality with detective gameplay: teams explore a VR crime scene and share AR evidence on a live dashboard to crack the case before time runs out.
In depth
Fun places for corporate events
The venue rarely limits the idea. Game shows and builds run in any ballroom or meeting room at about 25 square feet per person. City SmartHunt® uses the city itself, indoors or out, and needs only a screen and audio at the end location for the finale. Team Olympics needs about 50 square feet per person, indoors or outdoors. Virtual Best Corporate Feud runs on the video platform of your choice with no app download.
A starting dozen
One or two programs for each goal above. Filter by in-person or virtual, or browse every category from the menu.
In personCity SmartHunt®Teams race across the host city on iPads, solving clues and taking photo challenges, with live scoring and a finale. City SmartHunt® takes 30 to 1,000+ in 2 to 2.5 hours.- Length
- 2 to 2.5 hours
- Group size
- 30 to 1,000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor / Outdoor
In personSpeed NetworkingTimed conversation rounds rotate people across roles and departments, so everyone meets someone new. 1 to 2 hours for 30 to 1,000+, indoors or out.- Length
- 1 to 2 hours
- Group size
- 30 to 1,000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor / Outdoor
In personBest Corporate FeudA survey game show with face-off podiums and buzzers. Teams of 6 to 10 compete for the board while All Play questions keep the room in it. 1 to 1.5 hours.- Length
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Group size
- 30 to 1,000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor
In personTeam OlympicsRelays and field events for teams, indoors or outdoors. The high-energy pick on this list, at 1.5 to 2 hours for 30 to 1,000+.- Length
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Group size
- 30 to 1,000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor / Outdoor
In personFood Truck Face-OffTeams name a company, design a logo, build a truck and cook a dish, then everyone samples the results. Food Truck Face-Off runs indoors in 2 to 2.5 hours.- Length
- 2 to 2.5 hours
- Group size
- 30 to 1,000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor
In personBike Build Donation®Teams earn parts in quick challenges, build new bicycles and donate them, with helmets and locks, to children from a local charity. 1.5 to 2 hours.- Length
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Group size
- 30 to 1,000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor / Outdoor
In personBuild-a-Guitar®Teams build guitars from custom kits for teens through schools and youth organizations. Build-a-Guitar® runs indoors in 2 to 2.5 hours.- Length
- 2 to 2.5 hours
- Group size
- 30 to 1,000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor
In personCompetition to Collaboration®Competition to Collaboration® is a trademarked training program with a surprise twist that reinforces working across teams. 2.5 to 3 hours.- Length
- 2.5 to 3 hours
- Group size
- Up to 1,000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor / Outdoor
In personDiSC WorkshopEveryone takes the DiSC assessment, then a DiSC-certified trainer spends 3 to 4 hours on how each style works and communicates. For teams of any size.- Length
- 3 to 4 hours
- Group size
- Any people
- Setting
- Indoor
In personJeoparody Live!Our take on the TV quiz, with contestant podiums, sound effects, a projected answer board and a professional host. 1 to 1.5 hours in any ballroom.- Length
- 1 to 1.5 hours
- Group size
- 30 to 1,000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor
In personMavericks Murder MysteryTeams explore a VR crime scene and share AR evidence on a live dashboard to crack the case. An evening event in 1 to 2 hours.- Length
- 1 to 2 hours
- Group size
- 30 to 1000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor
VirtualVirtual Best Corporate FeudA 60 to 75 minute online game show with a professional MC on Zoom, Microsoft Teams or your platform, with no app download.- Length
- 60 to 75 minutes
- Group size
- 30 to 1,000+ people
- Setting
- Indoor
What clients say
This was Hands Down one of the best events ever. I want to pass along a note of praise for the Bike Build Donation program and your lead facilitator who was super energetic and funny. We had the best time at this event and a huge part of it was because of him. Thank you!
Bronya
Lam Research Corporation
The Team Olympics was the most fun and our group loved the entire program. We had bad weather and had to move inside and it still worked out great. My favorite team building aspect of the program was that after a team completed the games in speed networking, they THEN had to train another team to do better than them. It went great.
Heidi
The Orchard
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular corporate team building activities?
Bike Build Donation® is our top-selling charity event. For competition, Best Corporate Feud and Team Olympics; for exploring a city, City SmartHunt®; for a cook-off, Food Truck Face-Off; for a training day, Competition to Collaboration®. Each takes groups of 30 to 1,000+ and comes with a professional facilitator.
How do I choose between them?
Start from the outcome: bonding, competition, giving back, skills, a celebration or a conference energizer. Then match the group size, the time you have and the venue. Most programs on this page run 1 to 2.5 hours for 30 to 1,000+ people; Competition to Collaboration® and the DiSC Workshop run longer, 2.5 to 4 hours. Tell us your date, city and head count and we will suggest programs that fit.
Can any of these run virtually?
Yes. Best Corporate Feud has a virtual edition, Virtual Best Corporate Feud, a 60 to 75 minute game show with a professional MC that runs on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, your video platform or your preferred platform with no app download required. Browse all virtual programs for the rest of the virtual catalog.
How far do you travel?
We deliver in-person events anywhere in the continental U.S. with no added travel costs. A professional facilitator and program staff come to your venue, whether that is a hotel ballroom, a conference center, your office or an outdoor site. Virtual programs run on your meeting platform, so location does not matter.
How long does a corporate event activity take?
Most programs on this page run 1 to 2.5 hours. Game shows such as Best Corporate Feud and Jeoparody Live! take 1 to 1.5 hours, Speed Networking 1 to 2, Bike Build Donation® and Team Olympics 1.5 to 2, and City SmartHunt®, Build-a-Guitar® and Food Truck Face-Off 2 to 2.5. Training formats run longer: Competition to Collaboration® 2.5 to 3 hours and the DiSC Workshop 3 to 4.
What group sizes do these ideas work for?
Across the catalog we run groups from 30 to 6,000+. Most programs on this page take 30 to 1,000+ participants, split into teams that suit the format: 4 to 6 for Jeoparody Live!, 6 to 10 for Best Corporate Feud, 8 to 10 for City SmartHunt®, 10 for Bike Build Donation® and 12 to 15 for Team Olympics. The DiSC Workshop takes any group size.
How much space and what equipment do we need?
Plan on about 25 square feet per person for game shows, builds and Speed Networking, 30 for Competition to Collaboration® and 50 for Team Olympics. We bring the materials: game technology, bikes and helmets, guitar kits, props and medals. The venue supplies a projector, screen and sound system where a program calls for it, and the ingredients for Food Truck Face-Off.
Can these run indoors or outdoors?
Both. City SmartHunt®, Speed Networking, Team Olympics, Bike Build Donation® and Competition to Collaboration® run indoors or outdoors. Best Corporate Feud, Jeoparody Live!, Food Truck Face-Off, Build-a-Guitar®, Mavericks Murder Mystery and the DiSC Workshop are indoor programs, so a ballroom or meeting room is the safe default. See more indoor team building activities.
Who runs the event and what is included?
A professional BEST facilitator and program staff run every program, with program design, planning and production coordination included. The materials come with it: iPads for City SmartHunt®, new bikes, helmets and locks for Bike Build Donation®, guitar kits and amplifiers for Build-a-Guitar®, a host and game materials for Best Corporate Feud, and VR headsets for Mavericks Murder Mystery.
Can a program be customized for our group?
Yes, within each format. Best Corporate Feud uses survey questions written for corporate groups, Virtual Best Corporate Feud includes game design and customization, and the DiSC Workshop includes personalized workshop activities with a DiSC-certified trainer. Tell us the group, the occasion and the message you want to land and we will shape the program around it.
Keep exploring
Turn an idea into a date
Tell us your date, city and head count and we will come back with programs that fit, a proposal and a professional facilitator to run it.