Buyers Guide: Company Retreat

Custom Gifts for Company Retreats

In 2024, people are seeking a better work-life balance. A big part of that is finding a job that’s enjoyable and where employees feel valued. As we said in our Corporate Gifts and Apparel Trends Report, work-life balance, along with wellness and new experiences, are dominating the industry at the moment.

There are a lot of ways for employers to show their appreciation for their staff, and one of our favorites is the company retreat. 

As companies grow or teams become more remote, there’s a lack of personal connectedness. It’s difficult to put faces to names, and there may even be an “us versus them” mentality, as pointed out by Workable.

On top of getting everyone in the same physical space, corporate retreats come with a lot of other perks. For example, if you have one big, annual event, you may end up saving money because there won’t be a need for smaller in-person get-togethers the rest of the year.

 

More importantly, employee morale will get a big boost. Few things help a person invest more in their job than treating them to a weekend at an upscale hotel or in a tropical paradise.

Once everyone’s there, consider giving out corporate retreat swag. Remember, these items should be easy for attendees to use during the trip. Not only will you be giving your employees something that will add to their experience, but you’ll also promote your brand over the course of the retreat.

Here are just some of the many logo-branded gifts for company retreats that we have at Merchology.

Custom Hats

At corporate retreats, there's usually a lot of time spent in the great outdoors. These custom hats are excellent ideas for company retreat merch. They'll keep your employees safe from the blazing sun while showcasing your brand.

For a traditional baseball hat, there's the custom Zusa Mud Staycationer Dad Cap. This classic style has an adjustable strap so that it'll fit anyone in attendance. 

If there's a chill in the air where you're all going, consider the New Era Black/Heather Grey Colorblock Cuffed Beanie — it's as fashionable as it is functional, with a two-tone design and a cute pom on the top. 

Is the weather going to be hot and humid? You want the embroidered Sportsman White Bucket Cap. Yup, this style is on-trend once again, and it's a fun option for long afternoons spent outside.

Branded T-Shirts

Is there any piece of clothing better for adding your logo to than a tee? Branded T-shirts are the ultimate promotional pieces. Plus, on your corporate retreat, there are bound to be plenty of people who didn't pack quite enough. Enter: custom T-shirts for company retreats. 

The custom Marine Layer Men's Faded Navy Signature Crew is extra-soft, thanks to its recycled beechwood fabric. It's also been pre-washed and pre-shrunk, so nobody will be stuck with a too-small tee after one wash while on the trip.

Another super-soft option we have is the branded Zusa Women's White Peachy Tee, made from Egyptian cotton. These shirts have a form-fitted design, but if you want to offer looser-fitting tees to guests, all you have to do is size up.

Save everyone the trouble of scrambling for a pair of scissors to remove the tag with the Econscious Unisex Olive T-Shirt, which has a comfort-first tear-away label.

 

Customized Backpacks

Whether you're loading up attendees with all sorts of corporate retreat swag to take home or you want to give them a new carry-on for the flight back, check out our selection of customized backpacks.

The custom Patagonia Black Refugio Pack II 28 L has two main compartments plus an external opening for stashing items quickly. The bag can hold 28 liters of storage, and it has dedicated spaces for both a laptop and a tablet. There are two pockets for large water bottles, too, and breathable mesh on the back means day-long comfort.

The branded Origaudio Beige/Tan El Dorado Roll Top Backpack is so attractive that it'll be used long after everyone's returned home from the retreat. It's more than just pretty, though — it's designed with performance-ready features and materials, like a water-resistant compartment for dirty or wet clothes. There's also a padded sleeve for keeping your tech safe and various compartments and sleeves for organization.

Few backpacks will catch the eye better than the corporate Cotopaxi Surprise Batac Backpack. Best for one-day trips, this day bag can be stowed with larger bags and packed when it's time for a hike or corporate field trip. There's also an internal hydration sleeve so you can sip to your heart's content.

Logo-Branded Duffel Bags

It’s clear why duffel bags are helpful on corporate retreats and other types of trips, but they’re just as helpful in daily life back home. On top of company retreat merch, these logo-branded duffel bags can also be used as gym bags or to lug sports equipment.

Simple and sophisticated, the custom Zusa 3 Day Black Heather Weekender Duffel has a luggage pass-through strap to make it easier when you're running to catch a flight. Also, the shoulder strap is removable in case it's sometimes easier to carry it by hand. Plus, there's a zipper pocket for shoes so you can keep them separate from your clothing.

The branded Gemline Navy Nantucket Cotton Weekender Bag puts a chic twist on the traditional duffel with a bright and dark two-tone color scheme. This has everything you'd want in an overnight bag, too: removable shoulder strap, double zipper and large main compartment.

The adjustable shoulder straps of the corporate logo New Era Black Twill Heather/Black Legacy Duffel help with load balancing, and there's a padded bottom so the belongings inside will stay safe even if it's plopped down on the ground.

 

Customized Athleisure Wear

One way to show how much you care about your employees is by giving them corporate retreat swag that keeps them comfortable. Custom athleisure is perfect for downtime, both during the retreat and at home — and maybe even on casual Fridays at the office. We have a large selection of custom sweatshirts for corporate retreats, but right now, we're going to tell you about our favorite lounge-ready pants.

The branded Feat Women's BurrBlue BlanketBlend Jogger can stand up to a workout, but they're just as good at kicking back on a lazy Sunday. Bonus: The fit is purposely oversized.

Don't be fooled by the relaxed cut of the corporate Marine Layer Men's Heather Grey Sport Jogger — they're fashionable enough to be worn pretty much anywhere that doesn't have a dress code.

Will there be a lot of physical activity during the corporate retreat? Consider ordering your team the custom Feat Men's Black FlowTech Roam Short, made for athletics.

 

Branded Wellness Gifts

Put the focus on your employees’ mental health and relaxation with this assortment of branded wellness gifts.

Your employees will want to take the compact branded Leed's Black Oasis Handheld Massage Roller Ball wherever they go. It's ideal for working out kinks that arise from a tough workout or a long day sitting in front of a computer.

For workers with their own office, the logo-printed SnugZ White Electronic Diffuser makes a soothing addition. Color-changing lights and scented essential oils create a zen-like atmosphere. And if it's not a good fit for the office, it'll provide the same benefits at home.

Encourage your staff to meet their wellness goals with the debossed Moleskine Willow Green Wellness Passion Journal. There's space for reflection and goal-setting, and the intro pages have fitness and nutrition tips to kick things off.

 

Personalized Gift Sets

These personalized gift sets pack a lot in, making them a superb option if you’re unsure of what your team likes. We’ve handpicked each item in our MerchBoxes, so chances are high that your employees will find something (or somethings) they treasure.

The branded TLC Wellness MerchBox comes with the Modern Sprout Seek Peace Take Care Kit for growing lavender at home, as well as a plush blanket, a vacuum-insulated camp cup, a plastic letter board for displaying inspirational quotes and the Moleskine Steel Blue Passion Journal.

There’s also the custom Attitude of Gratitude MerchBox, with a 17-ounce S’well water bottle, an upcycled throw blanket, the Finding Gratitude book, Life is Beautiful pop-open cards and a Himalayan salt lamp.

Not sure if these are for you? Create your own custom gift box that’s filled with the exact products you want for your team. We even walk you through how to build your MerchBox in this guide.

 

Contact Us

Need more ideas for custom company retreat gifts? Contact a Merchologist today!