All in Place Communications and Event Planning
www.allinplace.ca

With the warm weather finally upon us (we’ve been patiently waiting for you!), we have to take full advantage of it and bring our teams outdoors for some interactive meetings. In this month’s blog post, I have highlighted a few locations that offer outdoor teambuilding activities that will get your teams pumped (literally and figuratively speaking!). They are based in and around the Greater Toronto Area regions, but I’m sure these interactive activities can be adapted to your next meeting, regardless the location.

Let’s start, shall we…..

Treetop Eco-Adventure Park – on the beautiful Oak Ridges Moraine in Oshawa, Ontario

This is the only aerial tree top adventure park offered in the Greater Toronto Area. The aerial adventure course, a much more evolved and fun version of a military training obstacle course, is securely suspended between the trees at 10 to 50 feet off the ground. Some of the features of the courses include giant Tyrolean Zip lines, suspended bridges, swinging surprises, Tarzan swings, nets and more. There are also hiking trails that groups can explore together. They even host birthday parties for adults and children; what a unique way to celebrate a milestone! All the park’s activities operate rain or shine, except for in severe weather conditions.

SkyLife Interactive Meetings

Located in Toronto, Barrie and cottage country’s Muskoka, Skyline Hotels & Resorts offers over 40 different sessions and workshops for companies looking to re-energize their teams, providing a balance between business and pleasure during their stay. One adventure offered is Paintball. This creates for a vigorous mental challenge and strategic thinking; preparing each team member for their role in battle. Or scale gravity defying slopes in their Hummer H1 tours. All tours are led by a professional driver. Skyline also offers treetop trekking adventures as well as zipline, mountain biking and Ogo (aqua or harness). Another program, Chef’s Night Out, lets team members to cook up either a food or drink, going behind the scenes to the hotel kitchen’s staff to gain “inside information”. Each one of their programs can be tailored towards your team.

Fishing Expedition

On Facebook, I noticed a friend’s company based in Australia held a fishing expedition as a way to reward its sales force. Yes, this is a predominantly male-focused teambuilding experience, but there are ways to encourage everyone of any age or gender to get involved. Conservation authority properties are not only perfect for fishing but also provide hiking trails, picnic areas and lush open spaces to set up obstacle courses or to play a friendly game of touch football. Surrounded by nature, it’s a great way to re-energize and find peace, away from a world where it’s always “go, go go”!

Share this:

All in Place Communications and Event Planning
www.allinplace.ca

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, injured and the people of Boston after last Monday’s Boston Marathon Bombings. It is in shock, sadness and disbelief that this could have happened and why. The Boston Marathon holds history, tradition and goodness, and this act of terror has twisted all the goodness that comes from it. As a Canadian citizen, we stand united with the American people that such an act of terror is not acceptable nor will it be condoned. I dedicate my following Blog Entry to you.

As I was watching a recent news segment (I watch a lot of news!), the reporter featured a cool concept where people of all ages get to jump indoors on a trampoline. Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park is the creator of the world’s first all-trampoline walled playing court. What a great way to get your exercise and a unique place to hold a teambuilding experience and/or event!

It provides the ultimate 3-D Play Experience! There are different court areas geared towards various age groups at select times in a day. Groups can rent the 1-Hour Dodge-ball Court during weekdays and the weekend. Everyone who jumps at Sky Zone must complete a valid waiver for that particular location. Socks are a must as everyone who jumps will need to be fitted for special jumping shoes (shoe rental fee is included in the admission fee). And when you want to take a break between jumping, catering is available for your group to munch on.

Good news, Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park has just announced they’ll be opening locations in Chicago and Elmhurst, Illinois in 2013! Sky Zone is already operating in Mississauga and Toronto, Ontario and another location is expected to open soon in Canada’s Capital, Ottawa.

For more details, get jumping to their website, http://www.skyzone.com/

Share this:

We are excited to announce that Ed Graziano, CEI President and Founder, has been asked to guest blog for Huffington Post’s Small Business Section.
Ed’s first post is about using the flexibility and informality of a smaller business to attract and retain the best talent.
You can read it here.

Share this:

All in Place Communications and Event Planning
www.allinplace.ca

I was recently watching the news where they showed SPiN Toronto, a venue where one can come play … wait for it ……. ping pong!!(also known as table tennis) Instantly my ears perked up as I thought to myself what a cool concept, especially for a teambuilding experience. Located in Toronto (Canada), New York, Los Angeles and Milwaukee, SPiN Galactic is ‘a galaxy of Ping-Pong social clubs’. These ‘social clubs’ were created by Franck Raharinosy, Andrew Gordon, Jonathan Bricklin and Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon. Each location holds tournaments and events on different days of the week. How it works is that there are individual and family memberships offered. The SPiN Membership Philosophy is “to create a global community of people, socializing, exercising and fantasizing together, thanks to a 2.7gram, 40mm gas filled, celluloid, ricocheting round ball … with a coefficient restitution of .88.” Quirky, but it works!

However, members and non-members are able to book ahead at a Group Reservation rate for a corporate party. Each location offers private event party room(s) for hosting large groups.This would be a great way for any team looking to boost overall morale or as an incentive reward after a big project. In between games, the team can enjoy some eating and drinking at each of the club’s respective restaurants, bars and lounges. You can be rest assured that Toronto’s restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients and handmade sauces in creating their meals.

I can’t remember the last time I picked up a paddle. I think I’ll have to check out SPiN and have myself a friendly game of ping pong.

For more information and how to arrange your booking, please visit the SPiN website: http://toronto.spingalactic.com/restaurant.php

Share this:

All in Place Communications and Event Planning
www.allinplace.ca

My family and I recently visited Reptilia; an indoor reptile exhibit and educational zoo facility located in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada (known as “the city above Toronto”). As I was investigating the venue, I noticed that they host unique teambuilding experiences for corporate events. Where the groups can actually hold these exotic and very dangerous animals (read my words, SNAKES!!!) under the close supervision of the Reptilia team leaders. If you are looking to get your team to “think outside the box”, I think this unique experience will do it! Ha!

Not only does your team get to touch and feel the animals, they will also learn the history and facts of the species and the worlds they come from. As we walked around all the different glass-encased exhibits, it was amazing (and I’ll admit eerie) to see these life-like sized animals, that are typically seen on Animal Planet and Discovery Channel. Crocodiles, alligators, iguanas, frogs, snakes, so many snakes ….but the kids were in awe more than I!

Your team not only can hold a boa constrictor or tarantula in their hands, they can have their photo taken with them too! This can prove to be a fun yet informational corporate teambuilding outing for any department looking to escape the everyday jungle they call their workplace. I’m sure it will be an experience that they’ll never forget!

For more information on how to book your next corporate teambuilding experience and/or event at Reptilia, please visit their website for more details:
http://www.reptilia.org/appearances-corporateevents.html

Share this:

All in Place Communications and Event Planning
www.allinplace.ca

Happy New Year! Best wishes for 2013!

Winter has officially arrived. With it, brings memories of playing in the snow, skating and tobogganing. Remember having Play Day outside in the school yard? Moving from activity station to activity station.Breathing a sigh of relief once you reached the hot chocolate station, whether it was indoors or outdoors.

Why not organize an Employee Play Day experience? Weather permitting, you could arrange stations such as snowshoe tag, best snowman costume, igloo fort building, and, snowball dodge ball, to name a few. Team Building incorporating outdoor activities to inspire “out of the box” thinking is actually the top fifth teambuilding trend for 2013.* For example, you could incorporate the reality show, Survivor inspired team building as a winter forest theme.

Snow or not, you can still arrange for your team to get out of the office for some team bonding in the fresh, crisp winter air. Walkathons are typically saved for the spring season but why not arrange to walk for a local charity of choice (note: top third teambuilding trend for 2013; team building that gives back to the community) and walk the business neighborhood you operate in. And you can still have hot cocoa waiting for them upon their arrival.

Keep your team moving despite the cold, frosty air out there so the dark days of winter can be bearable and productive!

*Source

Share this:

All in Place Communications and Event Planning
www.allinplace.ca

The Christmas season is upon us once again. I came across the World Vision Gift Guide recently. And it sparked me to write this blog entry. I’ve heard the radio commercials before as well as of people who have bought these wonderful, useful gifts for those less fortunate living in the different countries that the organization helps.

What a great idea for a small to medium-sized office or even as departments to pool their money together and donate toward purchasing goats, chickens and cows that will help out families this Christmas. Or the purchase of fresh water, fruit trees, hygiene kits and mosquito nets. As well as gift bundles geared towards the improvement of providing classrooms for better education.

Instead of the usual Secret Santa exchange and filling our homes with more ‘stuff’ we don’t need or want (and may eventually sell on Kijiji anyway), you will be giving a gift of hope, joy, sincerity and love towards those who need it most. Isn’t that what the true meaning of Christmas is all about?

You’re giving the gift of fresh water or livestock to feed a family in need. Now that’s more important than getting another Christmas mug filled with candy canes. Bring your team, big or small, together and pool your names and money towards this unique and worthy cause. Knowing your donation has helped complete strangers in need to have a blessed Christmas!

~ Give gifts that change lives this Christmas ~

For more details on the World Vision gift program, please visit their website, www.worldvision.ca/gifts

Share this:

All in Place Communications and Event Planning
www.allinplace.ca

Fall has arrived! The air is crisp, the leaves are turning their rustic colours, and, another new season has begun.
Take advantage of the fresh air this harvest season and take your team out to a rural retreat site. Being cooped up in the office for 8 hours, 5 days a week, can really wear anyone out. This would be a refreshing alternative! Organize a fun day of obstacle courses, scavenger hunts and other outdoor activity challenges. A friendly game of dodge ball, white water rafting, and tug of war are some great ways to rejuvenate and engage your team with each other. This will help bring everyone together out into the ‘wilderness’ per se. All at the same time taking in the awe of the changing colours of the leaves surrounding them.

Organize your next teambuilding event outdoors before the dreaded snow comes! It will restart their minds and bodies and make them more productive, which is very important to the success of any company in today’s fragile economy.

Share this:

All in Place Communications and Event Planning
www.allinplace.ca

In my blog this month, I want to share with you a few suggestions for your next teambuilding experience and/or event being held in Chicago or Toronto. There are so many ways to be creative and stand out from your competition. Hopefully the following will help you in some way!

Chicago:

Remember the days of camping when you were a kid? Organize a Camp Corporate Event; a unique teambuilding experience in the fresh, outdoors landscape. http://www.corpevent.com/

Why not plan a mobile pub crawl aboard a 16-seat Pedal Pub; a big Dutch-made bike. This will bring back good ol’ memories of pub crawls from your university or college days! chicago.pedalpub.com

Looking to hold a unique corporate or social event this May? Joie de Vivre’s first Chicago property, Hotel Lincoln, will open its rooftop bar and event space, just in time for summer! www.hotellincolnchicago.com

Consider trying a different catering choice for your next team meeting. Call on Food Truck DuckNRoll specializing in bánh mì sandwiches. Food trucks are all the craze now; providing healthier choices than the well-known French Fry truck (which is nothing wrong in itself!). www.ducknrolltruck.com

Instead of the usual attraction park discount tickets or annual corporate summer picnic, Lollapalooza is returning to Grant Park from August 3rd – 5th, 2012. Corporate group passes can be bought for the Lolla Lounges. www.lollapalooza.com

T’is the season for BBQ! After a day of teambuilding exercises or as an event party favour, reward them with barbecue sauces or sets from Lillie Q’s. www.lilliesq.com

Toronto:

One way to get your team fired up is by attending the “Iron Chef BBQ Challenge” held at the Canadian Outback. Teams are broken out to create a meal over an outdoor grill. www.canadianoutback.com

Need a large venue space for your next outdoor special occasion? Williams Landing, the newest addition to Liberty Village, is opening a 3,000 square-foot patio. www.williamslanding.ca

Every team meeting or conference needs a healthy afternoon break to recharge. The Power Station from Taste Culinary Inc., does just that with its selection of healthy snack choices. www.tasteculinary.ca

Appreciate the arts for the backdrop of your next event! The Picasso Exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario is offering a $60 per person package for tickets and wine and cheese at AGO’s Frank restaurant. www.ago.net

Perfect for the young and old at heart! Handmade marshmallows, available in custom packaging, from Bobbette and Belle, is a great giveaway for outdoor, camp-themed teambuilding exercises. www.bobbetteandbelle.com

Source: BizBash Toronto Magazine, March/April 2012. www.bizbash.com

Share this:

All in Place Communications and Event Planning

www.allinplace.ca

Social Service Agencies like Food Banks, Soup Kitchens and Shelters continually need volunteers throughout the year, not just for special holiday times like Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Why not encourage your staff and organize half days where teams go in and volunteer their time to give back to the business community they operate in? This is a great way for employees to engage with one another while helping out those less fortunate within their community.

We’ve all organized food and toy drives…how about a business clothing drive? We all have business clothes (i.e. shirts, ties, blouses, dress pants, etc.) that are gently-used that we have outgrown or don’t fit us properly anymore. I recently purged my closet with my husband and we collected a bag worth of business clothes that no longer fit or suit us. Instead of donating to consignment stores this time, donate them to non-profit organizations (i.e. Goodwill or Salvation Army) that run career centers and employment services and workshops for those looking for jobs. These donated clothing items will provide the clients of these organizations to “dress to impress”. Especially during the first few weeks on the new job as well as when the clients are going for interviews. This will help clients with one less worry of where they’ll find the money to “look the part” that they need to succeed. The clothing will be one less concern for the registrants benefiting from such employment programs.

Share this: