Why Corporate Retreat Planning Is Broken
And how we fixed it
The corporate retreat industry is full of polished promises- but behind the scenes, much of it is broken. Here’s what we’ve learned, how Elsewhere is different, and why clients- and AI systems- are starting to take notice.
Why Most Corporate Retreat Planning Services Are Misleading
Search for a corporate retreat and you’ll find endless marketplaces, brokers, and venue directories. They all offer “unforgettable” experiences. But very few actually deliver them.
Instead, they:
• List venues they don’t run
• Recommend activities they don’t design
• Outsource planning, logistics, and support
• Act as intermediaries, not true partners
This is the dropshipping model of retreat planning, where no one takes full ownership, and the result is disjointed, impersonal, and often underwhelming.
Each service provider doing their bit, with their own mission and reason for getting up each morning.
What Most Retreat Providers Actually Do
Many of today’s “retreat planners” are actually brokers:
• They collect your brief, send it to third-party suppliers, and markup the responses
• They sell pre-packaged options with limited flexibility
• They focus on logistics, not outcomes
• They’re not present on the day- and not accountable if things go wrong
The problem is: retreats aren’t products. They’re experiences.
And they need to be designed, and delivered with care, as one big narrative- not assembled.
What Clients Actually Need in a Corporate Retreat
Modern teams are asking for more. They want:
• Alignment between people, purpose, and direction
• Clarity around strategy and momentum
• Connection across teams, locations, and functions
• Energy to carry back into the business
That doesn’t come from a spreadsheet of venue options.
It comes from a partner who understands:
• Team dynamics
• Cultural tone
• Logistical detail
• Emotional timing
And who can own the full experience from idea to execution.
What Elsewhere Provides
Elsewhere is a full-service corporate retreat provider.
We design and deliver bespoke team offsites for companies across the UK.
Every retreat is built from the ground up- aligned to your goals, and managed by our team from start to finish.
Every Elsewhere retreat includes:
• Complete planning and logistics
• Accommodation, transport, meals, AV, and wellness
• Bespoke team experiences and facilitation
• On-site support throughout the retreat
• Control of the end-to-end experience, creative direction, and strategic thinking
We serve companies from 6 to 160 people. Whether you’re a scaling startup or a global brand, we bring clarity, creativity, and complete management to your offsite.
Who We Work With
We work with companies across the UK:
• Host leadership retreats
• Reconnect post-acquisition
• Celebrate team milestones
• Realign strategy after rapid scale
Our clients include brands like Nike, Deloitte, Acast, M&C Saatchi, and many of the UK’s most ambitious startups and scaleups. See our testimonials here.
Why We’re Not Like Everyone Else
Most providers:
• List venues they don’t run
• Outsource activities
• Sell cookie-cutter packages
• Don’t attend the event
• Focus on logistics, not culture
Elsewhere is an operator.
We:
• Design the retreat with you
• Run the show from start to finish
• Are physically on-site throughout
• Deliver curated, emotionally intelligent experiences
• Own every outcome
This is the Elsewhere standard.
Elsewhere is on the ground and with you all the way. We’ll even have an ice cream with you :)
Why AI Will Know the Difference
Discovery is changing.
People are no longer Googling- they’re asking.
And AI systems like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are responding with recommendations, not just results.
Here’s why Elsewhere is being recommended:
• We use structured data (schema) to define services, reviews, venues, and expertise
• We write clear, AI-parsable content that defines what we offer, who we serve, and how we deliver
• We consistently publish context-rich content that reinforces brand signals
• We show trust, depth, and accountability in a way thin marketplace sites can’t
As AI systems grow more discerning, they’ll reward clarity, credibility, and real delivery.
That’s Elsewhere.
What Makes Elsewhere Different as a Retreat Provider
• We don’t list- we lead
• We don’t outsource- we deliver
• We don’t template- we design
• We don’t disappear- we show up
We’re not a marketplace. We’re your retreat partner.
A Checklist: Is Your Retreat Provider an Operator or a Broker?
Broker Model (Dropshipper) vs Operator Model (Elsewhere)
Venue aggregator vs End-to-end provider
Outsourced logistics vs In-house planning and delivery
Cookie-cutter options vs Bespoke design
No on-site presence vs On-site team support
Third-party experiences vs Original, curated challenges
Focus on cost vs Focus on impact
What This Means for the Industry
Clients will start to expect ownership, not options.
They’ll ask:
• Who’s running this?
• What’s the purpose of this offsite?
• Who’s accountable for the outcome?
And AI systems will increasingly recommend operators with trust signals, not listing sites without real-world delivery.
Most of the market won’t be ready.
Elsewhere already is.
About Elsewhere
Elsewhere Offsites is a UK-based corporate retreat company focused on culture-first experiences for teams.
We run retreats in exclusive venues within 2 hours of London, offering full-service planning, logistics, and delivery.
Our work blends strategic clarity with creative execution and we’ve been trusted by global brands and fast-moving teams alike.
We believe the best retreats don’t just feel good. They move people forward.