There’s something about fall that makes getting the team together just feel right. The cooler weather, changing leaves, seasonal food and crisp air create the perfect backdrop for getting out of the office and spending some time together.

But what does a great fall corporate event actually look like?

At Forest Lodge, we’ve spent decades helping companies turn ordinary outings into memorable experiences across our 40+ acres in Warren, New Jersey. So instead of giving you another list of fall event ideas, we thought we’d show you.

Here’s what your perfect fall corporate event at Forest Lodge could look like.

11:00 AM: Welcome to Forest Lodge

Your team pulls into Forest Lodge and immediately gets a change of scenery.

Instead of conference rooms, computer screens and fluorescent lights, you’re surrounded by acres of trees, open fields and fresh fall air.

Guests check in, grab a drink, catch up with coworkers and settle into the space. There’s no rush to get everyone seated or launch into a formal agenda. Give people a little time to arrive, explore and socialize.

The goal is simple: make it feel like a day off from the moment they get here.

11:30 AM: Let the Games Begin

Once everyone has arrived, it’s time to get people moving.

This is where a Forest Lodge corporate outing starts feeling a lot less… corporate.

Divide the company into teams and kick things off with volleyball, tug-of-war, field games, relay races, sports and other team competitions across the property.

Want to turn up the competition? Create a company-wide tournament, organize a scavenger hunt or put prizes on the line for the winning team.

The best team-building activities don't need to feel like team-building exercises. Give coworkers a game to play, a team to root for and some bragging rights to compete over, and the team building tends to happen on its own.

With 40+ acres of indoor and outdoor space, there’s plenty of room to spread out and make the activities as big a part of the day as you want.

1:00 PM: Time to Eat

After a morning of volleyball, tug-of-war and competition, everyone is going to be ready for food.

And at Forest Lodge, lunch doesn't have to mean everyone sitting down for the same plated meal.

Build the experience around food stations, BBQ favorites, seasonal dishes and interactive food experiences that allow employees to grab what they want and continue enjoying the event.

You can even bring some friendly competition into the food with challenges and activities that keep the team-building going.

Grab a plate, find a table with coworkers you might not normally sit with and recharge for the afternoon.

2:00 PM: Grab a Drink & Enjoy the Afternoon

Not every minute of a corporate event needs to be scheduled.

After lunch, slow things down.

Grab a beer, cocktail or non-alcoholic drink. Put on some music. Let people wander around, talk and actually enjoy being outside.

Some employees might head back for another volleyball game. Others might challenge coworkers to a lawn game, continue a scavenger hunt or simply grab a table and catch up.

That's exactly the point.

A great company outing gives people enough to do without making them feel like they're following an itinerary all day.

3:00 PM: Turn Up the Entertainment

Once everyone has had some time to relax, bring the energy back.

Add music, a DJ, dancing, interactive entertainment, contests, raffles or prizes to the afternoon. Want to do something completely different? Turn part of the event into a silent disco and get the team onto the dance floor.

This is also a great opportunity for company traditions. Recognize employees, hand out awards, announce the winners from the day's competitions or simply thank everyone for the work they've put in throughout the year.

There doesn't need to be something happening every minute. A few big moments throughout the day are often what employees remember most.

4:30 PM: One More Round

By late afternoon, nobody should be checking the clock waiting for the event to end.

They're squeezing in one last volleyball game. Settling the final tug-of-war rivalry. Taking team photos. Collecting prizes. Grabbing another bite. Or laughing about the coworker who took the scavenger hunt way too seriously.

That's when you know you've planned a successful company outing.

Because ultimately, the perfect fall corporate event isn't about squeezing as many activities as possible into one day.

It's about giving your employees an opportunity to step away from work, spend time together and have some fun.

Your Fall Event. Your Way.

No two companies are exactly alike, and their outings shouldn't be either.

Maybe your team wants an afternoon packed with sports, field games and friendly competition. Maybe you'd rather focus on great food, drinks and entertainment. Or maybe you want a little bit of everything.

Nestled in the forests of Warren, NJ, Forest Lodge offers 40+ acres of indoor and outdoor event space that gives you the flexibility to build the kind of company outing your employees will actually want to attend.

Our team can help bring together the food, drinks, activities, entertainment and event planning so you can spend less time worrying about logistics and more time enjoying the day with everyone else.

Fall won't be here forever.

If you're thinking about getting the team together before the season ends, let's start planning an event they'll remember long after they're back in the office.

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