At Edgbaston Park Hotel, corporate away days are about far more than simply getting teams out of the office. From leadership meetings to company-wide strategy sessions, the focus is increasingly on creating experiences that strengthen relationships, improve communication and leave a lasting impact back in the workplace.
As a certified B Corp, Edgbaston Park Hotel is committed to balancing profit with purpose, and with flexible event spaces, on-site accommodation and a dedicated conference and events team, the hotel provides everything needed to deliver seamless, high-impact corporate events in one location.
We sat down with our Director of Sales, Lisa, to share her top tips for planning a successful corporate away day and why choosing the right environment can make all the difference.
Start with your objective, not the agenda
‘One of the most common pitfalls is jumping straight into planning activities before deciding what you actually want the away day to achieve,’ says Lisa.
Before choosing sessions, speakers or activities, it’s important to define the purpose of the event. Is the goal to align teams around strategy, encourage collaboration, reward employees, improve communication or support leadership development?
Having clarity from the start helps shape every other decision, from the format of the day to the venue and team building activities. At Edgbaston Park Hotel, the in-house events team supports organisers from planning through to delivery, ensuring every element aligns with the outcomes.
Create a balance between productivity and connection
The most successful corporate away days blend structured business objectives with opportunities for teams to connect in a more informal setting.
While presentations and workshops are important, it’s often the conversations between sessions where stronger relationships are built and fresh ideas emerge.
‘Giving people time and space to connect naturally can have a huge impact,’ Lisa explains. ‘Whether that’s over lunch, during breakout sessions or through team building activities, those moments help teams feel more engaged and aligned.’
The hotel’s variety of suites, multiple breakout spaces and relaxed informal lounges, makes it easy to design fully tailored corporate away days. These can be planned around each business’s specific goals and requirements, ensuring a highly bespoke experience.
Choose the right venue
The venue plays a major role in setting the tone and energy of an away day.
Lisa recommends looking for spaces that offer flexibility and variety throughout the event, including:
- Flexible meeting rooms for presentations and workshops
- Informal breakout areas for networking and collaboration
- Comfortable lounges for smaller discussions
- Outdoor spaces that allow teams to connect
At Edgbaston Park Hotel, businesses can seamlessly combine focused sessions with informal networking and shared dining experiences, helping teams move naturally between productivity and connection throughout the day.
Location is also key – a venue that is easy to reach helps ensure teams arrive relaxed, on time and ready to engage. Located just two miles from Birmingham city centre within University of Birmingham’s campus, the hotel offers a peaceful yet highly connected setting. Excellent transport links via University Station provide direct services to Birmingham New Street, making it easily accessible for delegates travelling from across the UK. Complimentary on-site parking is also available, along with chargeable EV parking spaces for added convenience.
On-site accommodation, including 185 bedrooms, makes the venue ideal for residential away days and multi-day conferences, keeping teams together on-site for fully immersive events.
Don’t underestimate the value of outdoor space
For many businesses, getting outside the traditional office or conference environment can completely change the dynamic of an event.
Hornton Grange, the hotel’s exclusive-use venue, offers landscaped grounds and private event space that work particularly well for team building activities, leadership retreats and company away days.
The outdoor setting creates opportunities for informal networking, collaborative activities and relaxed summer BBQs, allowing teams to unwind and connect in a more natural environment. The grounds are ideal for team building activities and garden games that encourage communication, collaboration and connection beyond the usual workplace setting.
To help businesses create tailored experiences, the hotel also works with a range of trusted team building and event suppliers, including Bright Vision Events, KDM Events, Eventurous and Off Limits. This enables organisers to build fully bespoke away day programmes, from high-energy challenges to more reflective leadership-focused sessions.
Food and drink shape the experience
Food and drink play a key role in the success of any corporate away day, helping to maintain energy levels, encourage conversation and create a more social atmosphere throughout the day.
At Edgbaston Park Hotel, options are designed to suit a range of event styles, from working conference lunches and Green Meetings packages through to relaxed dining at the on-site 1900 Bar & Restaurant.
For more informal or summer-focused away days, BBQs on the grounds at Hornton Grange provide a standout experience, creating a relaxed outdoor setting where teams can unwind, connect and continue conversations beyond the meeting room. With flexible food and drinks options available, menus can be tailored to suit everything from formal corporate dining to informal outdoor events.
Final thought
‘A successful corporate away day isn’t just about the agenda,’ Lisa says. ‘It’s about creating an environment where people can focus, collaborate and genuinely connect.’
When objectives, facilitation and environment all align, businesses can create away days that not only engage teams in the moment but also deliver long-term impact back in the workplace. Edgbaston Park Hotel brings together meeting spaces, accommodation, dining, outdoor areas, and full event support in one convenient location, offering a seamless solution for corporate away days.
If you’re planning a corporate away day and want to sense-check your approach or explore ideas, get in touch today.
