Company retreat trends for 2026 (and what they mean for teams)

For years, company retreats have sat somewhere between a cultural perk and an annual tradition. Often well-intentioned, but not always well-designed (you know the kind!). The result has been offsites that look good on paper, but don’t always create the depth of connection or clarity teams are actually looking for.

Today, that lack of intention is harder to ignore. As teams become more distributed and in-person time rarer, those moments of being together carry more weight.

With this in mind, here’s what we believe will shape company retreats and offsites in 2026, informed by what we see across Basejam.

1. AI becomes the retreat organiser’s quiet co-pilot

As AI capabilities continue to advance, they’re increasingly present behind the scenes of retreat planning.

Organisers are using AI to move faster through the practical parts of planning and to support early creative thinking – drafting agendas, developing workshop prompts, writing participant communications, and creating surveys or summaries.

The upside is less time spent on setup and repetition, and more focus on what happens in the room. Facilitation, decision-making, and being present with the team still sit firmly with the organiser.

AI doesn’t replace the personal touch of a well-run retreat. It protects it, quietly handling groundwork so human judgement and creativity can stay front and centre.

2. Nature becomes the baseline for deep work

The way teams think about where they work has shifted.

Nature-connected settings are no longer chosen just for atmosphere. They’re selected because they change how people show up to conversations, how long they can focus, and how the days feel when work and reflection sit side by side.

Across retreats we see, access to outdoor space shapes the rhythm of the experience. People step outside between sessions, talk while moving, and come back to discussions more grounded and present.

In 2026, being surrounded by nature will feel like a natural part of how teams do their best thinking together, rather than a novelty or a bonus. Even city retreats will be expected to offer greenery, natural light, and a sense of separation from everyday environments, not just functional meeting rooms.

3. Gen Z influence shows up in how retreats feel

As Gen Z move into management and leadership roles, they are shaping retreats in subtle but meaningful ways.

Not through gimmicks, but through preference. Less performative fun. More choice and autonomy. A lower tolerance for forced participation, and a stronger awareness of energy levels.

As a result, retreats increasingly feel more authentic, more human, and less like corporate theatre.

4. Agenda-light, outcome-heavy becomes the norm

The instinct to fill every hour in order to make the most of the time is slowly fading.

Teams are learning that unstructured moments often carry more weight than scheduled sessions. Reflection cannot be forced. It needs space.

Strong retreat agendas now feel intentional rather than busy, with clarity around purpose and enough room for ideas to land.

5. Digital detox moments are designed in, not imposed

There is a growing pushback against constant connectivity, particularly among younger teams.

Rather than asking individuals to disconnect on their own, many retreats now build in phone-free sessions, offline meals, or shared walks. These moments are framed as part of the experience, not a rule to follow.

This isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about recognising how rare uninterrupted attention has become. Switching off together turns disconnection into a shared experience, rather than an individual burden.

6. Retreats are designed like experiences, not events

The most memorable retreats do not start on arrival and end at checkout.

They have a sense of flow. A build-up beforehand, and a gentler landing afterwards. Themes, rituals, and pacing matter more than novelty alone.

Retreat planners increasingly think like experience designers, shaping how the retreat feels as much as how it runs.

7. Retreats continue to be a powerful tool for onboarding and retention

For distributed teams, retreats are often the moments where people truly feel part of something.

New joiners build real relationships. Existing team members reconnect beyond roles and responsibilities. The company stops being abstract and starts to feel lived-in.

More teams now recognise this as a strategic strength, not a side effect. Retreats play an important role in how companies attract talent, integrate new hires, and reinforce culture in a way no handbook or onboarding document can.

Used well, retreats don’t just support retention. They help shape how a company is experienced from the inside.

What this means for retreat planners

Planning a retreat today involves a different kind of judgement than it used to.

The basics still matter, but they are no longer what defines a good retreat. What matters is how deliberately time together is shaped, from the setting, to the structure, to the space left for real connection.

Retreats aren’t becoming louder or bigger. They’re becoming more intentional, and more human.