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Meetings That Spark Wonder
Today’s group travelers aren’t looking for another standard breakout session. They crave immersive, engaging, and memorable moments that spark curiosity, deepen team bonds, and deliver a real sense of place. Across the globe, hotels and DMCs are stepping up with boundary-pushing group experiences – from stargazing in the desert and art workshops to race-car driving and high-octane flight simulators.
At Teneo Hospitality Group, we’re proud to represent properties that think beyond the ballroom and deliver experiences that truly inspire. Below, we highlight some of the latest and most imaginative group trends shaping the future of meetings and incentives.
The Estate Yountville
1. Moments That Could Only Happen There
Today’s most engaging programs extend well beyond the boardroom, with planners leaning into local cultural experiences that encourage groups to explore the destination just as much as the hotel. These immersive outings create a deeper connection to place and people – and offer memories that couldn’t happen anywhere else.
Imagine boarding a historic train directly from your hotel for a rolling, wine-paired dinner through the vineyards of Napa Valley. That’s exactly what incentive guests can enjoy at Estate Yountville, where their stay includes a private group experience aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train. With sweeping vineyard views, multi-course meals, and the nostalgic rhythm of the rails, this experience captures the heart of wine country in motion. Estate Yountville makes it seamless with direct access and custom programming that turns a typical dinner into a destination-defining highlight.
Across the Atlantic, Jumeirah Capri Palace offers another kind of transportive experience. Perched just across from a tiny, one-person chairlift that ascends Monte Solaro, the island’s highest point, the property feels equal parts cinematic and serene. Groups can pair team building sessions with breathtaking summit views, island hopping along the Amalfi Coast, or private art tours in nearby Anacapri – all curated by the hotel’s expert concierge team.
At One&Only Aesthesis, just 30 minutes from Athens’ city center, the mythic meets the modern. Here, groups can split their time between cultural deep-dives – think private tours of the Acropolis – and leisurely yacht charters across the Aegean. The resort itself is a sanctuary of mid-century glamor, blending Riviera elegance with bespoke programming to deliver luxury group travel experiences for companies seeking both inspiration and intention.
One&Only Aesthesis
2. Wellness That’s Built Into the Experience
Group wellness has come a long way from morning yoga and smoothie bars. At Amrit Ocean Resort on Singer Island in Florida, wellness is woven into every aspect of the experience. The resort offers a robust menu of immersive programming designed to reconnect attendees with their purpose and each other through intentional group activities. From guided “Glow Up” beach nights and spa-jama themed cocktail events to mindful scavenger hunts and team boat-building races in the pool, Amrit delivers a multi-sensory reset that’s anything but one-size-fits-all.
For those who find clarity in the mountains, Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley in Utah offers a refined and restorative escape, making it one of the best hotels for executive retreats. Groups can unwind with a guided sound bath, energize with sunrise hikes, or take part in custom mindfulness sessions in alpine serenity. The luxury lodge is built for reflection, paired with world-class service and sweeping mountain views.
Over in Orlando, Lake Nona Wave Hotel is making wellness high-tech and highly effective. This hotel is at the heart of a wellness innovation hub with exclusive access to the Chopra Mind-Body Zone & Spa, a first-of-its-kind wellness sanctuary guided by the principles of Deepak Chopra; the USTA National Campus, the largest tennis facility in the world; and the Lake Nona Performance Club, which leverages performance science and cutting-edge technology to redefine a traditional gym or fitness center. Programming can be tailored to suit executives, athletes, or hybrid teams looking to spark both performance and presence.
Lake Nona Wave Hotel
3. CSR With Real Impact
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a key pillar of group travel with some destinations making it easier than ever for attendees to leave a meaningful impact.
At Isla Bella Beach Resort in the Florida Keys, groups can roll up their sleeves for ocean cleanup initiatives that tackle marine debris and protect the surrounding ecosystem. It’s a hands-on, heartfelt way to foster teamwork and environmental awareness. After the effort, the resort offers serene beachside settings for groups to relax, reflect, and celebrate their contribution to the place that hosted them.
Across the Pacific, 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai seamlessly blends sustainability with immersive group programming. Attendees can take part in Net Patrol and marine debris beach cleanups, partnering with local organizations to help preserve Hawaii’s coastlines. These experiences go beyond feel-good moments; they build a genuine connection to place while reinforcing a company’s values of purpose and responsibility.
In Riviera Maya, Fairmont Mayakoba invites groups to explore a 240-acre protected mangrove ecosystem, restored after Hurricane Wilma. Guided eco-tours offer insight into native flora and fauna, while hotel programming includes sustainability workshops and wildlife preservation activities. It’s an inspiring way to educate, engage, and contribute all within the bounds of a luxury resort.
Fairmont Mayakoba
4. Turning Up the Volume on Adventure
For high-performance teams and adrenaline-seekers, the thrill of the unexpected can be the spark that transforms a good program into a legendary one. In Austin, Visit Austin DMO delivers just that with a Formula One experience at Circuit of the Americas. Attendees can either ride shotgun with a professional driver or take a racing class and drive the track themselves, complete with pro coaching, gear, and bragging rights. It’s fast, loud, and unlike anything they’ll find at a conventional conference.
In Colorado Springs, Hotel Polaris offers something equally exhilarating with its in-house flight simulator. Developed in partnership with the U.S. Air Force Academy, the experience gives guests a chance to virtually pilot a plane and learn from real aviators. Combined with panoramic views and sophisticated accommodations, this hotel is ideal for groups seeking elevation in every sense.
Hotel Polaris flight simulator
5. Creative Experiences That Spark Something New
There’s a growing recognition that creativity fuels connection, and many properties are leaning into this with artist-led programming and cultural immersion. Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel in Milwaukee offers a vibrant cultural backdrop for groups, with rotating art installations, in-residence artists, and hands-on workshops that encourage guests to paint, build, or write their way to inspiration.
Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa Valley offers its own suite of creative, sensory-driven programming, from wine blending and charcuterie design to sabrage lessons and aromatherapy oil workshops. It is a favorite among incentive groups looking to strike that perfect chord between fun and finesse.
Carneros Resort and Spa
6. Under the Stars and By the Water
Some of the most transformative experiences happen when the lights go down and the stars come out. In Scottsdale, an upcoming board retreat organized by Southwest Conference Planners DMC will swap banquet halls for desert skies. The evening will feature a private chef, telescope setup, and live narration from an expert astronomer for an intimate, unforgettable way to reflect and reconnect under the vast Arizona sky.
Of course, the water offers its own kind of magic. From catamaran cruises in San Diego to jet skiing, whale watching, and team regattas and hot air ballooning off the coast of Ojai, aquatic adventures bring a fresh energy to meetings and incentives. Properties like OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa in Hawaii offer manta ray swims right next door, while Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas invites guests to interact with sea lions and dolphins at their marine sanctuary.
In Ojai Valley Inn, California, the natural landscape and creative community collide to offer an incredibly diverse mix of experiences. From coastal sailing, paddleboarding, and hot air ballooning to farm tours, horseback riding, and artist-led painting classes at nearby wineries, groups can customize their visit to match any mood or pace. Signature experiences like Jeep tours, bikes and brews outings, private meditation, and visits to local apothecaries make this destination a standout for wellness-forward, adventurous, or creatively inclined teams alike.
Ojai Valley Inn
7. Tapping Local Experts for Big Impact
While hotels set the stage, it’s often the destination management companies (DMCs) and destination marketing organizations (DMOs) who bring the magic. These local experts are the unsung heroes behind many unforgettable group moments, offering insider access, curating culturally rich programming, and activating parts of a destination that traditional tours can’t touch.
Their deep-rooted relationships and boots-on-the-ground knowledge allow them to create immersive experiences that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. Take Discover Puerto Rico, for example. To kick off a recent Teneo summit at El Conquistador in Puerto Rico, the DMC transformed the hotel lobby into a vibrant Puerto Rican shopping bazaar, complete with local artisans, food purveyors, and live musicians. The result? A high-energy, high-touch welcome that celebrated the destination before guests had even unpacked their bags.
Whether it’s a folkloric welcome, a hidden speakeasy takeover, or a behind-the-scenes cultural tour, DMCs and DMOs ensure that group programs feel rooted, relevant, and rich with local character.
When the Agenda Becomes the Memory
The most impactful group experiences don’t just fill the calendar – they create memories. At Teneo, we’re proud to work with hotels and DMCs that think beyond the ballroom and bring your boldest ideas to life. Whether it’s racing at 180 miles per hour or dining under a desert moon, these memorable team experiences remind us what meetings can really do: inspire, transform, and bring people closer than ever before. Let’s connect on your next program.
