2020 is all about fresh new starts, and now that everyone’s finally back in the swing of things it’s the perfect opportunity for some inspired brainstorming. It’s also a glorious time of year in the Western Cape, with crisp clear Summer’s days and long, balmy evenings aplenty.

The magical Winelands, a mere stone’s throw from the Mother City, is the ultimate destination for an overnight corporate getaway, and now that the throngs of tourists have subsided at last, it’s an ideal setting for strategic blue-sky thinking and strengthening the bonds within your team.  February is the month for forming more meaningful relationships after all!

Overnight Conference Packages in the Winelands

A breath of fresh air

Ah, the Winelands… surrounded by mountains, lush landscapes and plenty of fresh air, it’s a place where you can leave the day-to-day demands and stresses of the office behind, embrace a calmer pace and allow a bigger picture to come into focus.

It’s just the ticket for teams needing offsite time to regroup and think out of the box, and by making it an overnight conference, you’ll more than double the benefits. For example, no-one will sit in soul-destroying traffic, delegates will wake up to birdsong and soothing views, and the abundance of country-style hospitality will restore body and soul. It’s certainly a far cry from phones ringing off the hook, incessant emails and rushing from one meeting to the next!

Added benefits on tap

With a wide variety of Winelands conference venues to choose from, offering world-class accommodation, catering and conference facilities for teams of all sizes, the Winelands also boasts plenty of space and beautiful outdoor areas, so you don’t have to limit your conference to just indoor activities.

The possibilities for interactive team builds and themed evening functions are endless, and by adding these to your programme, you’ll make it all the more memorable – and increase its success. It’s been shown that well-planned team activities can deepen connections between colleagues, lead to authentic and meaningful interactions and provide teams with opportunities to work together in new and novel ways.

But with so many pretty towns, valleys and venues on offer, it’s hard to choose one that fits your team to a T. We recommend these stellar choices…

Stellenbosch Overnight Conference Venue with optional Winelands Amazing Race

Farm-style sophistication

This Stellenbosch Conference venue on an operating wine farm on the banks of the Eerste River offers plenty of sophistication, farm-to-table cuisine, rural serenity as well as a contemporary edge.

Added to that, it allows for a conference that could include an exciting Winelands Amazing Race – complete with race kits, maps and clues for teams to navigate their way through vineyards, checkpoints, challenges and tastings too.

Here, you can also opt for a glamorous themed evening to kick off the year in style, like a Night at the Oscars.  Awards for the best idea at the conference and the most valued team member who kept the office running over the holidays can be up for grabs, and don't forget the DJ and some suitably upbeat tunes!

Heldeberg (Somerset West) Conference Venue with optional Mobile Treasure Hunt

The heart of the Helderberg

Located in the most serene setting, on the foothills of the Hottentots Holland Mountain range, this Heldeberg Conference venue located on an estate near Somerset West with plenty of contemporary appeal is equally suited to small, intimate retreats and bigger conferences. Cobbled walkways, tranquil gardens and exquisite furnishings all add to an atmosphere that will make team members feel refreshed, relaxed, enthused – and ready to tackle each session with extra oomph.

Adding a team build on the sprawling premises is a cinch – like a Wild Goose Chase, for example, followed by a braai in the shade of beautiful old oak trees. Teams can explore the area’s singular charm while they unravel clues with the help of a nifty mobile app – all while working together in innovative ways.

When it comes to choosing a theme for an evening function during your corporate getaway, a Murder Mystery Dinner Party with props and plenty of suspense will tick all the boxes. And if you think it sounds like mere fun and games, think again… This kind of soirée requires proper problem-solving skills, so brace yourself for intelligent interrogations and investigations!

Franschhoek Overnight Conference Venue with optional Put Foot Challenge

Enveloped by Franschhoek’s magical mountains

SA’s answer to Provence and Tuscany is such a cultural treat that you can’t help but feel as if you’re miles and miles from it all. Which is exactly what you want from an out-of-town retreat. Tucked away in this French corner of the Cape, an impeccably appointed hotel is ideal for a strategic overnight Franschhoek Conference venue with some added team building activities too.

In fact, it’s the ultimate springboard for an epic Franschhoek Put Foot Challenge, which involves teams completing a variety of tasks as they explore the area and race each other to the final destination. From food tastings to street-vendor bargaining, abstract art challenges and more – it’s country charm at its best, and the most relaxing and enjoyable way for teams to connect.

Offsite conferencing involves many hours of serious thought, intense discussions and careful planning – so after a long day of fleshing out big ideas, you need to let your hair down and engage in a different way. Instead of opting for a predictable dinner, choose a themed function with all the bells and whistles… Like a classy Casino Royale function with everything from paper money (branded with your company logo, of course) to croupiers. Nobody will lose out when it comes to having fun!

Team Orange Events - Tailor made Conference Packages

The perfect match

Whether it’s a small overnight getaway, a sixty-something conference or a big summit with well over a hundred delegates, there are all kinds of logistics to consider. Suffice to say that it’s no mean feat to find the right venue, ace the catering and ensure a good balance between strategising, downtime and team building activities that everyone will enjoy.

Thankfully, Team Orange has years of experience in just about every aspect of rolling out the perfect conference, and our forte is matching each individual client with venues, themes, activities, menus and programmes that resonate with their company culture.

We love making sure that the show runs smoothly, so that you can focus on your team and the tasks at hand; we are experts at meeting our clients’ needs intuitively; and we handpick the very best locations, hotels and restaurants.

Over the years, we’ve become specialists in dedicated team building events and functions that are not just fun, but profoundly improve a business’ prospects and teamwork too. And we are absolutely brimming with fresh new ideas to help take our clients’ conferences to the next level this year!