corporate retreats at Moniker

Plan a Company Retreat in Chicago

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Why Plan a Company Retreat in Chicago?

Here are our top reasons why you should host your next corporate retreat in Chicago:

  • Cultural and Entertainment Hub: Chicago boasts a rich cultural scene with world-class museums, theaters, music venues, and iconic landmarks. This vibrant city provides endless opportunities for team bonding through shared cultural experiences and entertainment.
  • Diverse Culinary Scene: Chicago's renowned culinary landscape, featuring everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to famous deep-dish pizza, allows teams to bond over unique dining experiences. Culinary tours and team-building cooking classes can add a delicious and memorable dimension to your corporate retreat.
  • Excellent Venue Options: Chicago offers a wide range of top-notch conference facilities and accommodations, catering to various group sizes and needs. The city's infrastructure and amenities ensure a comfortable and productive environment for meetings, workshops, and networking events.

It may sometimes be called the “Second City”, but Chicago plays second fiddle to none. Chicago is big. It’s home to the largest convention center in the country and the world’s largest public library. Yet despite its size, Chicago is liveable, accessible, and easy to get around with its convenient transportation system. All of which makes it a perfect location for a corporate retreat. 

Quick Chicago Facts
Best Suited For:
Food Lovers
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Nearest Airport
ORD (30 Minutes)
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Local Currency
US Dollar
CORPORATE RETREAT PLANNING

Get a Complimentary Proposal

Stressed about planning a retreat with no extra time? Why don't you let us do some of the heavy-lifting first, and put together a complimentary proposal that will provide you with ideal locations, activities and costs for your upcoming offsite.

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CORPORATE RETREAT PLANNING

Top Corporate Retreat Venues in Chicago

The Thompson Chicago

Sophisticated yet cool, timeless with an edge, the Thompson Chicago is sure to impress. The unique downtown Chicago luxury hotel is located on the edge of the renowned Michigan Avenue and The Magnificent Mile and is just a short distance away from Lake Michigan. The 247 guest rooms are more than just a place to lay your head - they're a haven of style and sophistication. With floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the city skyline, plush bedding, and sleek, modern design, you'll never want to leave. Two top-notch restaurants, 6 meeting spaces, a spa, a fitness center, and an indoor pool offering panoramic views of the city all offer you and your team the perfect spot for your Chicago company retreat.

The citizenM Chicago

Located close to the Loop, one of Chicago’s central designated community areas, citizenM is sleek, sophisticated, and modern. Contemporary architecture and colourful design make each space unique and inspiring. The 280 guest rooms are a minimalist’s dream with clean lines, pops of colour, tablet-controlled lighting, and air and floor-to-ceiling windows. This corporate retreat venue in Chicago also boasts a rooftop bar, onsite restaurant, fitness center, and 3 meeting rooms, everything your team needs!

Hotel Lincoln

Located in Chicago’s trendy old town, this vibrant boutique hotel exudes contemporary mid-western charm. Quirky yet stylish, you’ll feel right at home in this cozy, unpretentious property that features views of the tree-lined Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan. The 185 guest rooms are a blend of retro-cool and modern amenities. You'll find pops of bright colors, bold patterns, and playful decor throughout, making for a fun and memorable stay. A rooftop bar, cute cafe, fitness center, and 3 meeting spaces make this hotel perfect for your team retreat.

Don't see your perfect corporate retreat venue in Chicago?

Get in touch and we'll find it for you! We have access to 1,000+ locations around the world

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INCLusions IN ALL MONIKER RETREATS

How We Can Help Your Team in Chicago

Hotel Accommodation
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On-Site Event Management
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Budget & Expense Tracking
Flight Coordination
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Event & Meeting Facilitation
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Company Swag & Gifting

Corporate Retreat Activities

Top Corporate Retreat Activities in Chicago

Some Retreat Activities to Consider in Chicago

In Chicago, corporate retreat activities are top-notch. Cruise the iconic river, cook up a storm, and crack codes in thrilling escape rooms. These adventures bring teams closer while making life-long memories.

Cooking Classes at The Chopping Block

Engage your team in a hands-on culinary adventure at The Chopping Block, one of Chicago's premier cooking schools. Participants can feel like they’re on Chopped, collaborating to create delicious dishes. Cooking classes is one of Moniker's top recommended corporate retreat activities since they're a fun and interactive way to enhance teamwork and communication skills (while sampling the local cuisine!).

Architectural River Cruise

Take your team on an architectural river cruise to explore Chicago's stunning skyline and iconic buildings. This unique experience combines relaxation with learning about the city's rich architectural history, while enjoying a relaxing boat ride with colleagues.

Escape Room Adventures

Challenge your team with a thrilling escape room experience at venues like Escape Artistry or Fox in a Box. These immersive games require teamwork, problem-solving, and quick thinking, making them perfect for strengthening team dynamics in an exciting and unique way.

essential tips for planning

Top Tips for a Company Retreat in Chicago

Expert Advice for a Retreat in Chicago

When planning a retreat in Chicago, leverage the city's diverse neighborhoods, iconic attractions, and culinary scene to create a dynamic and memorable experience for your team. Consider incorporating visits to cultural institutions, outdoor activities along the lakefront, and unique team-building experiences tailored to Chicago's vibrant urban landscape.

  1. Don’t Go When It’s Cold: Visit Chicago during its shoulder seasons in fall and spring for optimal weather conditions, avoiding icy pavements and chilly winds. Warmer months offer the opportunity to enjoy Lake Michigan's 26 beaches, like Oak Street Beach at 1000 N, and explore the city's renowned architecture via guided boat tours along the Chicago River. Don't miss out on the chance to join locals in jogging and biking along the picturesque lakefront.
  1. Enjoy the Culinary Scene: Chicago is a food lover's paradise, renowned for its deep-dish pizza, gourmet hot dogs, and diverse culinary scene. Take advantage of this by organizing food tours, dining experiences at acclaimed restaurants, or even team-building cooking classes to indulge in the city's gastronomic offerings.
  1. Don’t Only Offer Goose Island Beer: In Chicago, Goose Island Beer Company may be the flagship, but with around 160 local breweries, the craft-beer scene offers endless variety. Explore unique taprooms like Cultivate by Forbidden Root, known for botanical-inspired beers and Sunday brunch, or Metropolitan Brewing with its spacious patio and tasty tacos along the Chicago River in Avondale. We promise that you’ll have a multitude of venue options for an evening event. 

Any Other Considerations for an Offsite in Chicago

Chicago is a safe place to host a retreat overall, but it's essential to prioritize certain safety measures. Choose reputable neighborhoods and venues, be prepared for varying weather conditions, and encourage the use of reliable transportation options. With these precautions in mind, your corporate retreat in Chicago can proceed smoothly and securely, allowing participants to focus on enjoying the experience.

Organize Your Next Company Retreat with Moniker

FAQs

Corporate Retreat FAQ

Are work retreats worth it?
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Definitively, yes. Work retreats allocate time and space for teams to break free from the everyday routine, encouraging innovation and creativity. These getaways promote deeper relationships among employees while fueling their productivity back in the office.

How much do companies spend on retreats?
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Company spending on corporate retreats can dramatically vary depending on factors such as location, size of the team, activities planned, and accommodation type. Often the budget ranges from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands. Take a look at our budgeting cheat sheet to learn more. 

How long should a corporate retreat last?
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Generally, corporate retreats tend to fall within 2-5 days including travel time. The duration depends largely on the goals you aim to achieve from the event — whether it's strategic planning or strengthening employee relationships.

What is the importance of corporate retreats?
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Corporate retreats are essential for enhancing team bonding, morale boosting, breaking deadlock situations in projects or negotiations, revisiting shared goals and celebrating achievements together. They provide an exclusive environment away from regular work stress where people can rejuvenate while getting a broader perspective on company objectives.

What would be the average budget for a corporate retreat?
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This again hugely varies but according to some market sources; small businesses might anticipate investing $500-$1000 per person whereas larger enterprises may cater budgets around $2000-$5000 per participant inclusive of flights & accommodations along with food & activities.

How do you choose a corporate retreat destination?
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It involves considering various factors like ease of transportation, total distance participants need to travel, overall cost-efficiency and types of available facilities. Always remember to customize the location depending upon your specific retreat goals.

What is the best way to plan a remote company retreat?
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Start by setting clear objectives for the retreat. Next, determine activities that align with these goals — this can range from professional development workshops to leisure and bonding opportunities. Establishing rules for engagement can further ensure a rewarding experience.

What's the best way to find corporate retreat facilities?
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Online research is a great starting point. Beyond that, you might want to tap into your professional network or, even better, consult corporate retreat planners who are familiar with various locations, venues, and itineraries that would be ideally suited to your company.

All-inclusive retreat locations for my organization
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Resorts often offer all-inclusive packages designed specifically for corporations which include accommodation, food services along with team-building exercises in their diverse amenities like golf courses or spas.

Company retreat ideas?
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The possibilities are endless. Team building games, skill-sharing sessions, wellness and mindfulness seminars, problem solving challenges and culinary competitions are some of quite popular ideas among many others.

Let Us help you with your next corporate retreat

Meet Some of Our Retreat Experts

Amanda LeGresley
TRAVEL OPERATIONS MANAGER
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Keswick, ON

Amanda brings her keen eye for travel and event planning to our Operations Team, bolstered by over a decade of experience managing events for the Toronto Film Festival and other swanky clientele across Canada (she's fancy like that).

Her passion for creating memorable experiences (particularly around a great meal) makes her the perfect fit as an Operations Manager, planning awe-inspiring events for our clients.

In her spare time, Amanda loves exploring the great outdoors either on the road with the sunroof down, or on the ATV trails near her hometown of Keswick, Ontario. Indoors, she's known for being a bit of a 'sushi savant', and kicking back on the couch with the latest Reality TV with her dog, Rebel.

Andrew Hercus
TRAVEL OPERATIONS MANAGER
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Location Pin
Canmore, AB

Our resident "Mountain Man", if there's a job in the wild, chances are Andrew's had it. Ski Patrol? Check. Whitewater Kayak Instructor? Check. Spartan Race Medic? Somehow, even that too.  To say he's big on the great outdoors (and every Canadian cliche) is an understatement. Andrew lives, breathes, and (literally) eats the wilderness.

Andrew joins the Moniker team from his home within the Rocky Mountains, in Canmore, AB, leading the Trip Planning & Operations team where he brings his talents to coordinating gobs of detail and data into seamless execution of our retreats. He's also a licensed Medic which comes in handy when our guests have a little too much fun on destination!

Casey Cogan
TRAVEL OPERATIONS MANAGER
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Location Pin
Ottawa, ON

Hailing from the nation's capital, Casey joins us as an Operations Manager to ensure every Moniker program is perfectly planned.

With a keen eye for the details, and a self-proclaimed overachieving perfectionist, we're lucky to have her on our team. Casey's got a sweet tooth and a soft spot for unique handbags, and is always on the hunt to add to her collection during her travels around the globe.

Amanda LeGresley
TRAVEL OPERATIONS MANAGER
white plus sign
Location Pin
Keswick, ON

Amanda brings her keen eye for travel and event planning to our Operations Team, bolstered by over a decade of experience managing events for the Toronto Film Festival and other swanky clientele across Canada (she's fancy like that).

Her passion for creating memorable experiences (particularly around a great meal) makes her the perfect fit as an Operations Manager, planning awe-inspiring events for our clients.

In her spare time, Amanda loves exploring the great outdoors either on the road with the sunroof down, or on the ATV trails near her hometown of Keswick, Ontario. Indoors, she's known for being a bit of a 'sushi savant', and kicking back on the couch with the latest Reality TV with her dog, Rebel.

Andrew Hercus
TRAVEL OPERATIONS MANAGER
white plus sign
Location Pin
Canmore, AB

Our resident "Mountain Man", if there's a job in the wild, chances are Andrew's had it. Ski Patrol? Check. Whitewater Kayak Instructor? Check. Spartan Race Medic? Somehow, even that too.  To say he's big on the great outdoors (and every Canadian cliche) is an understatement. Andrew lives, breathes, and (literally) eats the wilderness.

Andrew joins the Moniker team from his home within the Rocky Mountains, in Canmore, AB, leading the Trip Planning & Operations team where he brings his talents to coordinating gobs of detail and data into seamless execution of our retreats. He's also a licensed Medic which comes in handy when our guests have a little too much fun on destination!

Casey Cogan
TRAVEL OPERATIONS MANAGER
white plus sign
Location Pin
Ottawa, ON

Hailing from the nation's capital, Casey joins us as an Operations Manager to ensure every Moniker program is perfectly planned.

With a keen eye for the details, and a self-proclaimed overachieving perfectionist, we're lucky to have her on our team. Casey's got a sweet tooth and a soft spot for unique handbags, and is always on the hunt to add to her collection during her travels around the globe.

Moniker's 'How to Plan a Retreat' Guide

Filled with expert tips and tricks to ensure planning your next corporate retreat is a breeze!

  • Budget Guidelines
  • Agenda Templates
  • Tips on Scoring Discounts
  • Hotel Negotiation Tricks
  • & More!
Download Now
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