What do Google, Salesforce, and Zappos have in common—besides market dominance? They treat fun as a business strategy. Company events are not just feel-good perks; they're strategic tools that fuel employee engagement, retention, and performance. At Forest Lodge, we’ve seen it firsthand: company picnics, when done right, do more than fill a day—they drive results.

In this blog, we’ll explore how top companies use company events to strengthen their culture and boost performance—and how you can do it too.

‍

The Power of Play at Work

“People rarely succeed unless they are having fun in what they are doing.” – Dale Carnegie

Modern companies are recognizing the importance of fun in the workplace. Hosting a company event offers more than a break from routine; it encourages collaboration, reduces stress, and helps build lasting team trust. Studies in organizational psychology show that informal social interactions are key to better communication and cross-functional cooperation.

Company picnics in particular offer a unique opportunity to:

• Break down silos between departments

• Celebrate team wins in a meaningful way

• Encourage open communication in a casual setting

At Forest Lodge, we’ve helped hundreds of companies build these connections through our customized outdoor experiences.

‍

What the World’s Best Companies Are Doing

Let’s take a look at how some of the top-performing companies prioritize company events:

Google

Famous for its "TGIF" events and offsite retreats, Google creates structured opportunities for team members to bond and brainstorm outside the office.

Salesforce

Their global "Ohana" events are designed to make employees feel like family. These gatherings are aligned with their core value of community.

Zappos

Tony Hsieh, the late CEO, built a culture of fun. From quirky theme days to company picnics, Zappos embraced events as a way to sustain energy and loyalty.

HubSpot

HubSpot holds summer outings and a week-long appreciation event to reinforce team culture and reduce burnout.

LinkedIn

Offers monthly "InDay" events for employees to connect, reflect, and give back—a strategic move to build loyalty and drive purpose.

These companies all share the belief that investing in fun leads to improved collaboration, innovation, and retention. And the best part? You don’t need a tech giant's budget to see the same results.

‍

The Results Are In: Why Company Events Work

Here are some compelling statistics to consider:

• Companies with highly engaged teams are 21% more profitable and 17% more productive (Gallup).

• Organizations with strong employee recognition programs experience 31% lower turnover.

• 90% of employees say that company events help them feel more connected to their organization (EventMB).

• Fun at work has been shown to increase creativity and reduce absenteeism (Academy of Management Journal).

These numbers show what we already know intuitively: when people feel valued and connected, they perform better.

‍

Final Thoughts

Top companies understand the value of investing in culture. A company event isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a powerful tool that builds connection, loyalty, and performance.

Ready to plan your own high-impact event?

Let Forest Lodge help you create a company picnic that your team will talk about for years.

‍