Facilitated retreats for teams
Team Building Retreat Facilitators for Your Group
IdeaGuides plans and leads your retreat so your team leaves aligned, connected and clear on next steps. On-site, off-site or remote, anywhere in the US.
- Custom agenda built from interviews and surveys
- Groups from 5 to 500, half-day to 4 days
- Led by expert facilitators, not your own staff
Over 25 years of facilitation, 150+ clients and 250+ projects since 1999.
Prefer to talk? Call 1.415.479.2028
Tell us about your retreat
Share a few details and we will come back with ideas and pricing.
Why teams bring in IdeaGuides
Everyone takes part
Our facilitators keep every voice in the room heard, so the quiet people contribute too.
Built around your team
We interview people and run surveys first, then design the retreat around your real issues.
Real outcomes, not just fun
You leave with clear decisions, goals and next steps written down, plus stronger relationships.
You get to join in
No one on your team has to run the room. Leaders take part as full participants.
Anywhere in the US
We run retreats on-site, off-site or remotely, with frequent work in California, New York, Chicago, Texas and Las Vegas.
Experienced guides
Our facilitators include authors of books on innovation, team building and meetings.
What happens at your team building retreat
A team building retreat with IdeaGuides is planned, not improvised. We start with interviews and surveys to learn what your team needs. Then we design an agenda that mixes discussion, activities and decision making so the day feels energizing and productive.
Retreats run from 4 hours to 3 days for team building work, and up to 4 days when combined with an executive retreat or strategic planning. We can work with 5 people or 500, in person or with virtual teams.
- Trust, communication and risk-taking activities
- Role clarification and conflict resolution sessions
- Team mission, values and goal setting
- Play for Innovation improv and creative sessions
- Dr. Clue treasure hunt team building activities
- Solution Speedway rapid peer problem solving for 5 to 30 people
- Large group formats: Open Space Technology, World Café, Appreciative Inquiry
- Strategic planning or ideation added to the retreat agenda
Trusted by teams across the country
“Our staff had the opportunity to work with Bruce in a one day retreat, focusing on communication and collaboration between the various staff deparments. Bruce really helped us define our strengths and weaknesses and set our goals for improvement for the school year and beyond. At our monthly meetings, the agendas are driven by the goals we set with Bruce and more productive than before. We communicate more efficiently and an openness has arisen, where communication feels more "safe" and constructive. Overall, our team has found a new cohesiveness and therefore, we have made better decisions and put new practices in place that benefit not only our departments, but the school as a whole. Moreover, Bruce was a great guide to our work, while allowing our needs to be heard and drive the agenda for the day. Everyone is still taking about how much fun they had. I highly recommend Idea Guides for your next team building retreat.”
“I have been to countless workshops on team building. However, yours was without a question one of the best I have ever participated in. Your exercises were user-friendly, fun to do, and most importantly, truly served their educational purposes...Furthermore, I felt that your group facilitation skills were among the best I had ever witnessed. Even with a tough audience, you made everyone feel comfortable and energized. For me, your session made my 6-hour plane trip (in each direction!) worth it.”
“Our management group came together around a shared vision. We are currently integrating two companies into one. This meeting helped to reduce the we/them and increase the us. Optimism, increased teamwork and confidence in the direction of the company. Top-Three- I would recommend this service. The tools and methodology the Bruce uses are very effective. He brings everyone into the process and helps drive the discussion to a consensus. like_working_with_me?: Bruce is easy to work with, professional in his approach and an excellent communicator.”
How it works
Tell us about your team
Share your group size, dates and what you want the retreat to fix or achieve.
We design the agenda
We talk with you, interview or survey participants, and build a custom plan and quote.
We facilitate the retreat
An expert facilitator runs the session on-site, off-site or remotely, and you get a written summary of the output.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a team building retreat cost?
Pricing depends on group size, length and how much design work the retreat needs. Tell us your dates and headcount and we will send a quote.
How long should the retreat be?
Team building programs run from 4 hours to 3 days. Executive retreats and offsites run 1 to 4 days. We help you pick the right length for your goals.
How many people can you handle?
We facilitate groups from 5 to 500 people. For large groups we use formats like Open Space Technology, World Café and Appreciative Inquiry.
Do you travel to us?
Yes. We are based in the San Francisco Bay Area and work nationwide, including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago, Austin, Dallas, Houston and Las Vegas.
Can you run a retreat for a remote team?
Yes. Sessions can be delivered remotely, and our team building programs are tailored for virtual teams as well as in-person groups.
Do you book the venue, hotel or catering?
No. We design and facilitate the program itself. Venue rental, accommodation, catering and travel are handled by you.
Ready to plan your team building retreat?
Send us your group size, dates and goals. We will come back with a suggested approach and pricing for your retreat.
- Custom agenda built from interviews and surveys
- Groups from 5 to 500, half-day to 4 days
- Led by expert facilitators, not your own staff
Prefer to talk? Call 1.415.479.2028