What makes for the perfect place to do a company retreat? Choosing the right location can make or break the experience for all those involved. When executed properly, a company retreat can lead to increased productivity for months. Which means there is a great deal of pressure for those individuals tasked with planning the event to get the location right.

We’ve hosted many Company retreats here at Reid’s Birch Island Resort that had varying reasons behind them:

• Companies that wanted to reward employees for their hard work;
• Employers looking to build a tighter work community;
• Businesses wanting to introduce a change of scenery in hopes of bringing a new perspective to tackling their problems or planning their future.

I believe the below items are required in order to qualify as the perfect place for a company retreat and I’m going to show you how Reid’s Birch Island Resort checks every box.

“A drop of nature is like a drop of morphine to the brain,” Eva M. Selhub, co-author of Your Brain on Nature.

Getting your team away from their work environment and into nature can increase brain function in the form of productivity, memory, creativity and reducing fatigue. A 2012 study from the University of Utah found that people immersed in nature for 4 days boosted their performance on a creative problem-solving test by an impressive 50%. 

At Reid’s Birch Island Resort your team will settle into the serenity of island life. They’ll enjoy the sites and sounds of nature from one of our many decks while they take in the glow of the colourful sunsets that Northwestern Ontario is famous for.

Bringing employees to an environment that encourages disconnecting from technology is better than taking them to a place where they are forced to disconnect. Employees have family and other obligations. Our resort’s high-speed internet allows your group to connect to the rest of the world when they need to.

If you think about life's different occasions, food is most likely at the center of each one. We use food to mark special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and weddings.

Sitting down to enjoy a good meal together has long been a way for people to connect. Gathering to enjoy delicious food is especially important for your company retreat to be a success.

At Reid’s Birch Island Resort, you will experience licenced dining that rivals the finest restaurants. Our executive chef will treat your group to made-to-order breakfasts each day. At noon, lunch will be served on the water at one of our hand-picked shore lunch spots where you will enjoy fresh-caught walleye and many side dishes. Dinners feature generous portions of your choice of steaks, chops and seafood, all artfully prepared. Top it off with desert and your appetite will be thoroughly satisfied.

• Food Menu
• Wine & Beverage Menu

You don’t want your company retreat to feel like work for your employees and that starts with a comfortable environment and accommodations. Your retreat shouldn’t resemble another business trip.

Our resort has 6 rooms on the back deck of the main lodge that can accommodate 12 people all with individual washrooms and a deck to sit and look over the lake and watch the sunset. The spectacular boat house has 4 rooms that sleep up to 10 people all with individual washrooms. There is a large common area complete with bar and large flat screen tv, and of course the beautiful view of Gunn Lake.

We also have a guest cabin with three rooms that sleeps up to 6 people, complete with large sitting room and deck. With this flexibility we can provide accommodations for 1 to 26 people. Your group will achieve total relaxation while sleeping peacefully on the comfortable beds in our overnight lodging.

“Very few avenues in life provide the opportunity for fellowship, enlightenment and enchantment the way that fishing does.” Jason Sealock.

Taking your team to a fishing lodge is always a win-win. On one hand, they’ll be able to compete with colleagues for the biggest catch. On the other hand, those employees that are not that big into fishing, can enjoy a beverage and a relaxing day on our newly constructed covered deck and sitting area, with a brand new bar.

Our fishing guides are adept at helping novices and avid fisherman alike, ensuring everyone has a memorable fishing experience. Each guide is boat safety certified, trained in CPR and first aid.

A bit of travel can really enhance the feeling of “getting away from it all” so it is best to leave your primary business location when doing a retreat.

That said, there is a fine line when it comes to travel time because you are asking employees to take time away from their families. This means the majority of the time away needs to be enjoyable and not spent in a car.

Our resort is the perfect distance for businesses in Winnipeg looking to do a company retreat. You don’t have to travel far to experience the serenity of a private island resort. Relax and take in the glow of the colourful sunsets Northwestern Ontario.  We’ll arrange for a boat to transport your group from the Minaki Marina to Birch Island where they will settle into island life.