Planning a corporate outing in Orlando can feel a little overwhelming. There are certainly plenty of things to do, but if you’re bringing a group here for a conference, meeting, incentive trip, or company event, you may be looking for something that gives them a chance to actually spend time together and experience a little more of Orlando.
That’s where getting outside the typical tourist areas can make things interesting.
Orlando has some incredible neighborhoods filled with locally owned restaurants, breweries, shops, and businesses. A group experience built around those places gives your guests something to do together while also introducing them to a side of Orlando they may not have expected.
Give People a Chance to Actually Connect
Not every corporate activity needs to involve structured team building. Sometimes the best way to get people talking is simply to give them something interesting to experience together.
Food works especially well for that. Sitting around a table, trying something new, walking through a neighborhood, or sharing a drink creates natural opportunities for conversation. There’s no forced icebreaker required.
For groups whose members don’t see each other often, or attendees coming together from different offices or parts of the country, that relaxed time together can be just as valuable as the activity itself.
There’s More to Orlando Than You Might Expect
I’ve had corporate guests tell me at the beginning of a tour that they hate coming to Orlando. I have to admit, that one always hurts a little because I absolutely love this city.
But something pretty great has happened more than once. We spend a few hours exploring a local neighborhood, visiting locally owned restaurants and businesses, eating some great food, and seeing the places where people who actually live here spend their time. By the end of the experience, those same guests have thanked me for showing them a part of Orlando they didn’t know existed.
Those are some of my favorite moments as a tour guide.
Orlando is obviously known for its theme parks, and they’re a huge part of what brings people here. But there’s also a real city beyond them. We have neighborhoods where people live, work, eat, drink, shop, and spend time with friends and family. We have incredible locally owned restaurants and businesses and some pretty cool places to explore.
That’s the Orlando I love introducing to corporate groups. If someone leaves one of my experiences thinking a little differently about this city than they did when they arrived, I feel like I’ve done my job.
Think About the Group, Not Just the Activity
One thing I’ve learned from working with corporate groups is that there really isn’t one experience that works for everyone.
A smaller executive group may want something completely different from a conference group of 50 people. Some groups want to walk and explore a neighborhood. Others need transportation. Some are looking for food and cocktails, while others prefer an experience without alcohol.
Timing, budget, dietary needs, mobility, group size, where everyone is staying, and what the group hopes to get out of the experience can all make a difference.
That’s why I don’t think corporate experiences always need to come straight off a menu. Sometimes one of our existing experiences is a great fit, and sometimes it makes more sense to adjust or create something around the group.
Food Tours Aren’t the Only Option
Food tours are obviously a big part of what we do at Wandering Palm, and they’re a great choice for corporate groups. But they’re not the only way to experience Orlando.
Depending on the group, an experience might include local breweries, cocktails, cultural stops, neighborhood exploration, hands-on food experiences, or a combination of several things. Transportation can also open up possibilities for groups that want to experience more than one part of the city without worrying about getting everyone from place to place.
The goal isn’t to squeeze every possible activity into a few hours. It’s to create an experience that makes sense for the people who are actually attending.
Make It Easier on the Planner
If you’re the person planning a corporate event, you’re probably already juggling hotel rooms, meetings, transportation, meals, schedules, and a hundred other details. Your group activity shouldn’t become another full-time job.
When I work with corporate groups, I start with the basics. How many people are you expecting? When will you be here? Where are you staying? What’s your approximate budget? And most importantly, what would you like your guests to get out of the experience?
From there, we can figure out what makes sense rather than asking you to piece everything together yourself.
Experience the Real Orlando
I’ve had the opportunity to host corporate guests from companies including Orlando Health, Amgen, Enovis, Epic Games, Cigna, and others. Some are visiting Orlando for the first time, while others have been here many times but have never ventured beyond the areas they already know.
I love introducing them to locally owned restaurants and businesses, interesting neighborhoods, and the people and places that make Orlando feel like Orlando.
That’s what I want a Wandering Palm corporate experience to do. Yes, I want everyone to eat well and have fun, but I also want them to leave feeling like they got to know a little more of the city while they were here.
If you’re planning a corporate event, conference activity, team outing, incentive experience, client event, or spouse program, take a look at our Corporate Group Experiences or contact us and tell me a little about your group. We can figure out what kind of Orlando experience makes sense for you.
Cheers,
Tracy