11 Tips to Remember When Planning Corporate Retreat

Planning a retreat is about more than booking rooms and a meeting space—it’s about creating focus, connection, learning and a little creativity. In Lancaster County, surrounded by rolling farmland and timeless craftsmanship, you can deliver all three. Use this checklist to plan a seamless 3-day corporate retreat that feels restorative and productive, while grabbing on to what is unique about the destination.

Start With Clarity: Set a Purpose and Outcomes

Define one primary objective such as annual planning, leadership alignment, or culture reset. Create 2–3 measurable outcomes for your objective. Plan a daily rhythm that mixes focused work blocks with movement breaks: think morning strategy sessions, an afternoon experiential activity, and an evening for relaxing and building team friendships.

Sample 3-Day Schedule:

Day 1: Arrivals, welcome lunch, opening session, light team-builder, early dinner & free time.
Day 2: Breakfast, deep-work morning, lunch, breakout sessions, snack break, signature Lancaster experience late afternoon, celebratory group dinner.
Day 3: Recap session that goes over commitments & timelines, box lunch, optional stroll or photo stop before departures.

Book Lodging That Supports Focus (and Rest)

Choose accommodations that balance comfort and quiet with proximity to meeting spaces and on-site experiences. Prioritize spacious and comfortable rooms in a calm atmosphere so teams arrive rested and ready to contribute the next day. You’ll need a hotel that provides group-friendly room blocks, easy parking, and a hearty, hot breakfast. An included breakfast helps the team arrived fueled and on-time for the planned day. AmishView Inn & Suite is perfect with scenic views and comfortable rooms. Plus, you can choose between the hot hearty breakfast in the great room or ask for a tasty catered breakfast. 

Select Flexible Meeting Spaces 

Look for flexible rooms with reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and turnkey AV (screen, projector, mics, power at tables). Make sure there is enough space for what’s on your agenda. In some cases, you may need to reserve multiple rooms for breakout sessions. Make sure to determine what you may need for you agenda and ask about what the venue can provide such as whiteboards, printing support, and power cords. At AmishView, we have several meetings spaces at the hotel plus a few on-site that are just steps away. Our team is happy to assist in making sure you have what you need to accomplish your agenda and goals. 

Nourish Your Team

A key to keeping people happy during your retreat is to feed them well. Make sure to know of any dietary restrictions or accommodations upfront so those needs can be planned for. Here at AmishView we can handle all sorts of dietary needs including gluten-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free. Plus, we have a mix of options from plated meals, lunch boxes and buffet as well as private dining at our on-site restaurant. Make sure not to forget snack breaks and plenty of coffee and other beverages. Consider mixing in local flavors – in Lancaster that means PA Dutch favorites, seasonal produce, whoopie pies and shoofly pie. And when in Lancaster, consider one family-style dinner to spark connection as you pass round the plates and of course one smorgasbord outing to try out local cuisine. 

Curate Team-Building with a Destination Feel

Design activities that feel authentic to the location of your retreat while being inclusive for all fitness levels. Here a few Lancaster inspired ideas:

• A private buggy ride and countryside history talk
• Visiting an Amish farm and taking part in farm activities
• A hands-on craft demo such as quilting, woodworking, or jam-making
• A friendly cornhole or lawn-game tournament at sunset
• A storytelling session with local artisans or cultural hosts

These experiences ground your retreat in memory while being your team’s connections with each other. 

Mind the Logistics: Getting Here, Getting Around

Most groups arrive by coach or car from Philadelphia, Baltimore, or NYC. Share turn-by-turn directions, bus load-in instructions, and a simple campus map in advance. Confirm parking for buses, luggage assistance, and ADA access. If you’re off-site for an activity or dinner, arrange shuttles with a single pickup point and a clearly posted timeline. Our sales team can help provide instructions as well as arrange for local group transportation to off-premise activities.

Communicate Like a Pro (Before, During, After)

Send a pre-arrival email one week out with: weather, dress code, activity details, and the agenda at a glance. On-site, post a daily schedule at breakfast and in the meeting room. After the retreat, send a recap with decisions, owners, and due dates—plus a link for photos and feedback.

Prioritize Well-Being and Accessibility

Add movement breaks every 90 minutes. Ensure all events/venues are accessible, with seating variety and dietary transparency on menus. Consider an optional walk or a gentle stretch session before any long speaking sessions. 

Sprinkle in Signature Moments

Little touches make big memories. We suggest having a welcome note at check-in with a signature Lancaster-made gift (think whoopie pies, pretzels, quilted keychain). Also, ask about our shopping enhancement bag or other special items that may be left in the room. Consider holding a contest to give away a larger Lancaster made item whether it is a large gift box or locally made quillow. 

Partner With a Team That Truly Cares

Choose a venue with a hands-on team that treats your retreat like their own. Look for a single, dedicated coordinator who learns your agenda, anticipates AV and dietary needs, and handles day-of curveballs with calm, Lancaster-style hospitality. See if they can help find local services from transportation to photographers, and provide a list of local activities or entertainment. Ask about pre-event walkthroughs, a direct text line during sessions, and how they personalize welcome notes, amenities, and rooming lists—little touches that make it special and easy for you. 

Plan Your Budget 

Make sure to account for all the cost and have a contingency line as well. Here are some key areas for your budget:

• Hospitality – welcome gift and items to give outExplore History
• Lodging + Meeting space 
• AV + Photography
• Meals + Snacks
• Local Experience
• Transport
• Speaker (if one)
• Services & Gratuities 
• Contingency (5–10%)

Conclusion

Our sales team at Plain & Fancy Farm makes planning effortless. From room blocks at AmishView Inn & Suites and turnkey meeting space to Lancaster-inspired menus, we can help with the details so you can focus on outcomes. Share your goals and dates, so we can help you create a seamless, three-day retreat that feels productive, personal, and perfectly Lancaster. Inquire about booking your retreat in Lancaster County today.