As hybrid and remote work remain common across corporate America, business leaders are seeking purposeful ways to bring their teams together. Yet despite a growing desire for in-person connection, the rebound in business travel isn’t without its challenges.
According to Statista, 70% of corporate events organized in North America this year were expected to be in person. Cvent data echoes this trend, with 90% of planners anticipating a rise in onsite and offsite meetings. Yet business travel overall is rebounding unevenly. Economic uncertainty and global trade tensions are forcing companies to scrutinize travel spending and prioritize return on investment. As NBC News recently reported, many organizations are putting certain business travel on hold or tightening budgets.
For meeting and event spaces as well as their surrounding DMOs, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. To win business in this climate, we must go beyond the basics—offering tailored, high-impact experiences that not only foster team connection but also justify the investment.
A Cautious Rebound Requires Smart Hospitality
The return of off-site meetings is not a return to business as usual. With over 66% of American employees reporting job burnout in 2025 and many organizations operating under tighter budgets, corporate planners are under pressure to deliver meetings that feel restorative, relevant and results-driven.
That means venues and destinations need to provide more than just a meeting room—they must deliver strategic value, amenities that support both productivity and personal wellbeing, and memorable, meaningful activities that help teams connect with purpose.
Incorporate Time for R&R
In a year marked by stress and unpredictability, wellness has become a core expectation—not a luxury. Hotels and resorts that integrate wellness into their corporate offerings are better positioned to meet the needs of today’s workforce.
Options like guided meditation, yoga sessions, bike tours, paddleboarding classes (or other water-based excursions) provide much-needed moments of reprieve while signaling a company’s investment in employee wellbeing. These breaks not only enhance productivity but also foster casual, organic connections among team members.
Even simple touches—such as allowing downtime to explore the surrounding area or booking outdoor activities—can transform a rigid agenda into a rejuvenating retreat. And for hospitality brands, these experiences can spark future leisure consideration when guests return on their own.
Rethink Team Bonding: Go Local, Go Custom
Trust falls, trivia and role playing? It’s time to move on. These outdated activities fail to promote true collaboration or create opportunities to explore the region. Instead, meeting and event spaces should partner with local vendors to offer exciting, active off-site excursions. Depending on location and season, team bonding can include everything from escape room challenges and ropes courses to golf outings or craft beverage tours.
Offering flexibility is key. Understand a client’s unique interests and customize activities to excite employees. For example, if the client is a sportswear company, organize a guided hike or group tennis lessons. For a beauty or a fashion brand, consider a visit to a local boutique or an on-site pop-up shop showcasing a regional brand. Allowing clients to tailor their experiences will make the property stand out amongst competitors locally or otherwise.
Elevate F&B with Value and Versatility
Food and beverage offerings are a powerful driver of meeting satisfaction—and in today’s environment, they must deliver both quality and value.
Hotels should provide tiered options for group dining, from grab-and-go breakfasts to chef-led tasting menus. Working with diverse, trusted vendors ensures dietary inclusivity and flexibility. Pre-fixed menus, locally inspired dishes, and interactive elements like cooking classes or wine pairings can add memorable flair.
Private dining rooms or reserved spaces within on-site restaurants also give teams a place to bond over a shared meal—one of the most effective (and enjoyable) ways to build connection.
Design Meeting Spaces with Purpose and Personality
Gone are the days when a beige boardroom with a podium would suffice. Today’s corporate clients expect spaces that inspire collaboration and reflect the destination’s character.
Hotels should invest in creative, flexible environments—outdoor meeting areas with scenic views, lounges with natural light and local artwork, and interiors that offer both comfort and functionality. Portable AV setups, movable furniture and breakout nooks allow teams to use spaces in ways that work for them.
If your property has a unique setting—like lakeside views or historic architecture—lean into that as a differentiator. The goal is to make the meeting space feel like part of the experience, not an interruption to it.
Deliver Value in a Volatile Climate
With global trade tensions and economic headwinds making business travel more selective, meeting venues and destinations must prove their value. Corporate clients aren’t just looking for convenience—they’re looking for outcomes. Will this meeting strengthen their team? Justify the spend? Inspire innovation?
Hotels that respond with flexible pricing, scalable packages and seamless planning support will rise to the top. And those that go a step further—offering curated experiences, wellness integration and local flavor—will earn lasting loyalty.
Elevating the Experience—and the ROI
Corporate planners are seeking partners who understand the stakes and are equipped to deliver meaningful, tailored and ROI-driven gatherings. Now is the time for meeting venues and destinations to lead with intention and rise to meet this new era of purposeful travel.