Promo gifts for employees make staff retreats next level

Team getaways build culture and foster connection

By Laurie Frees

Employee relationships and workplace dynamics have experienced significant changes in recent years. Today, 37% of employees work hybrid or remote opens in new window, and only 27% of companies opens in new window operate fully in-person. Many organizations also have teams spread across multiple locations. This can make it challenging to foster employee connections and maintain company culture—which may help explain why company retreats are on the rebound opens in new window. Marketing Architects opens in new window and Wylie Funeral Homes opens in new window are two organizations bringing their teams together with company retreats. And promo gifts for employees are helping deepen the experience.

Marketing Architects team gathers to reconnect

Branded swag items showcase employee pride

Marketing Architects is a Minneapolis-based provider of “all-inclusive” TV advertising services, including strategy, creative, production and measurement. Its team of more than 125 employees works remotely from 27 states.

Research shows nearly 78% of employees think workplace connection opens in new window is important for a great company culture. Despite the physical distance, Marketing Architects works hard to build connections among colleagues. And it has paid off. “It’s an amazing culture we’ve built here, and we take a lot of pride in it,” said Stephanie Amsler, vice president of talent.

Each fall, employees come together at an all-company event to reconnect and re-energize for the year ahead. This past year’s two-day gathering was held at a lakeside resort north of the Twin Cities. Colleagues gathered to hear from leadership, participate in games and team-building activities, socialize and more.

Company-branded swag helped unite the team throughout the experience. Before employees traveled for the retreat, they received gift boxes that included fleece shackets and Carhartt^® beanies—perfect for autumn in the Midwest. Once at the resort, team members received welcome bags. Each included a trucker hat and tumbler imprinted with the “True North” logo, which was the retreat’s theme.

Team swag for the win

Like many of the activities, the company giveaways help unite employees behind a shared passion and appreciation. “People want to wear it because they’re proud to work for Marketing Architects. It’s a sense of pride,” Amsler said. Fostering employee pride is a great way for employers to retain top talent on their teams.

Wylie Funeral Homes employees get on the same page

Branded gifts for employees boost visibility

For more than 30 years, Wylie Funeral Homes has provided funeral, cremation and burial services for families in Baltimore. The team of about 75 employees is led by Brandon Wylie, president and CEO. At each of the three Wylie Funeral Homes locations, employees strive to provide a meaningful and memorable funeral service for families, with details specific to their loved one. “We try to focus on creating a celebration and something for families to remember, as opposed to having a standard template for services,” Wylie said.

The family-owned business has been growing and recently added a third funeral home. To help get everyone on the same page and talk through the experience for families, the company held an inaugural spring retreat at a boutique Baltimore hotel. At a time when nearly 70% of employees say deeper connections opens in new window with co-workers would make them happy, an all-staff gathering can help accomplish just that.

Wylie Funeral Homes’ two-day getaway included games, team-building activities, and valuable conversations about the mission, vision and values. “We focused on the Wylie experience and walked through how we want our families to be treated from their initial phone call through the arrival at the cemetery,” Wylie said.

It wasn’t all business. Carlotta Oliver, Ph.D., executive director of operations and community outreach, said it was important that the retreat was fun and allowed people to connect. There were opportunities to win prizes, shop, dine out together and visit a nearby casino.

Add a spark of joy with promo gifts for employees

Promo gifts for employees added an extra spark of joy. When checking into the hotel, team members were given travel mugs and slingpacks—both chosen for their practicality and brand-boosting potential.

“Often when you go to a conference or a meeting, you leave with a giveaway,” Oliver said. “So I wanted to give them something tangible, something they can use at work or outside of work, and something that pro-motes the Wylie Funeral Homes brand.”

Company retreat gift ideas make experiences more memorable

Marketing Architects and Wylie Funeral Homes are among many organizations using retreats to connect employees, build relationships and strengthen company culture. Whether fostering company pride or helping team members reconnect, promo gifts for employees elevate these experiences.

Trademarks & Sources