Are you looking for ways to boost the office camaraderie between your in-office and remote workers? Do you want to build more rapport with those that work under you? If so, then you need to learn all that you can about team building events on a boat.
Doing them on a boat can offer you many different benefits. It can create an unforgettable experience, help everyone to cut loose, and help you learn more about everyone that attends.
See below for an in-depth guide on how to host a successful team-building event and why they’re such a fun part of event planning as a whole.
1. Find the Right Boat
First things first, if you’re going to have a-rockin’ good time on a boat with your team, then you need to make sure you’ve found the right boat to hang out on. Just a traditional boat won’t cut it; some people will find a corner to sit in and keep to themselves.
You want to find a boat that naturally creates a fun atmosphere. One where people can engage in a team activity and work towards a common goal. That’s why we recommend booking a cycle boat for the event.
A cycle boat offers an experience unlike any other that your team has ever witnessed. It’s a 25-foot catamaran-style boat that uses your party to power it through the water. The center bar has seats with pedals for your team to relax, yet contribute to the fun.
It seats 16 passengers and two crew members. The bar has 10 pedal stations, but there are also bench seating options for those that aren’t at the bar.
If you and your passengers don’t feel like pedaling, then that’s no problem! The boat can certainly power itself using its engine, so pedaling certainly isn’t a mandatory requirement. All that matters is that you and your staff take the time to connect.
2. Gather a Strong Headcount
Of course, it isn’t the boat that makes the party; it’s the people that will make or break your party! You must figure out a strong headcount when you go to reserve your boat.
For those of you that have eight people in your office, the math couldn’t be easier! You simply invite all 8 of your staff members and allow them to bring one guest—spouses, boyfriends, girlfriends, relatives that are of age, and so forth.
If your numbers come out a bit more awkwardly, then you’ll have to be more practical with how you dish out your invitations. First, set a definitive date for the boat party and ask for RSVPs from all your staff.
If you only have a few open seats left, then you could turn it into a makeshift networking event by inviting a few VIPs, such as clients or vendors you’re close with. For example, if you rent a 16-person cycle boat and only 12 employees say they can come, you could invite 4 VIPs to join you.
You could also use those free spots as an incentive for your staff’s production. For example, the 4 sales reps with the highest amount of sales that week get to bring a friend on the boat.
3. Look for Crucial Amenities
Renting a cycle boat just for the sake of renting a cycle boat won’t do the trick. If you get out on the water with nothing but silence, you’re in for a rude surprise.
There are several key amenities that you should make sure the cycle boat has before booking the trip, such as:
- Drink holders to keep your guests’ drinks secure while the boat is moving
- On-boat drink coolers to keep the refreshments you bring nice and cool
- Bluetooth speakers to play a fire playlist and get the party started
- Charging ports to help your guests keep their phone’s charged
Don’t forget to find a boat with comfortable seating for your guests. Whether they plan on pedaling or not, they deserve to be comfortable!
4. Coordinate Awesome Bar/Restaurant Stops
This is another key facet of a memorable team-building event on a boat. The cycle boat is an awesome setting, but why stop there? Coordinate a time or two for you and your guests to get out and take in some awesome restaurants and/or bars.
Here at Lagerhead Cycleboats, we have great partnerships with several incredible spots in Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale.
For example, our partners in Fort Myers include Snook Bight, Nervous Nellies, Nauti Parrot Dock Bar, Mantanza on the Bay, Bowditch Point Park, and Calusa Mound House.
In Fort Lauderdale, we have partners like Downtowner, Pirates Republic, Boathouse at the Riverside, Coconuts, 15th Street Fisheries, and Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina.
5. Food and Refreshments
When it comes to catering for corporate events, you’ll want to try and appeal to the masses. Don’t try to reinvent the wheel or go above and beyond for authentic food.
Food and drinks at team-building events are simply the means to an end. All people want is a drink to sip on and food to fill their bellies. It’s more of a social thing than a fine dinner.
For that reason, simply put out a feeler for what everyone likes a few days before, then order that food to have in hand when you go to board the cycle boat. Have those drinks child before placing them in the boat’s cooler so that you can serve them immediately.
Improve Your Team Building Events With a Cycle Boat
Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on how to host successful team building events on a boat, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Take the time to read this article on the 7 reasons you should book your next trip for a party boat in Fort Lauderdale. To get started, please contact us by email at [email protected] or call one of our three locations for more information.