If you’ve decided upon Miami as the destination for your next corporate retreat, you’ve made an excellent choice. From its stunning climate to its reputation as “the doorway to Latin America,” Miami is a spectacular city for any corporate event, boasting many things to do and see, from picturesque beaches to nearly limitless choices for fine dining and entertainment. Of course, there are external considerations when planning a business retreat anywhere, and having it in Miami means being ready for a unique experience like no other. Here are some things to consider when planning your next retreat in one of the most beautiful cities in America.

Building the Retreat Around Corporate Culture

While it’s easy to get tempted to build a business retreat “around” your environment, the number of things to do and interesting locales could turn regular planning into a nightmare. Miami has areas and niches built around eras in the city’s history. While this can be educational and extremely entertaining, depending on the size of your group, this can also quickly turn into a logistical nightmare. Unless you’d like to sprawl out your corporate retreat into one long sightseeing trip, it’s smarter to make sure that your core goals are focused on first with the retreat, making use of your central meeting areas, and that there are scheduled activities offered during downtime, all according to what you are trying to accomplish with the retreat.

In short, for many travelers, Miami feels like a vacation the second they arrive at the airport– once the sunshine, palm trees, and tropical breezes hit them. Finding the balance between a productive corporate event and a lively, entertaining Miami might be a challenge, but planning equal amounts on both sides will make for a memorable and refreshing trip for attendees.

A City Where Business and Pleasure Combine

Because of the many different things, one can do in Miami, this allows for the scheduling of unique ideas for your corporate event. While it’s often joked that “you could schedule a meeting in Miami on the beach,” people who live and work there know that not only is this possible, simply due to the miles of beachfront area available, but that your Miami Beach hotel may well be adjacent to the beach.

Of course, the locale is one thing to consider. Miami is also an international culinary hub, and this means that you’ll have a variety of catering options on hand from a dizzying array of different cultures to choose from. The choices can be overwhelming, but doing a little research on the best options in your area—or asking your concierge for recommendations—can make all the difference. Another consideration is that because of Miami’s reputation as a tourist destination, your hotel has probably already successfully hosted corporate events before, and your group director may have recommendations that will help make your next business retreat a smashing success.

Lastly, as is the case with many other destinations, gear your planning and activities around your particular business goals. Make sure that you dedicate enough time for team-building exercises, workshops, and lectures for attendees, as well as plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the city’s attractions. A successful corporate retreat will make everyone happy; it will be a memorable experience for all involved, one that will lead to greater productivity and collaboration in the future.

By considering these tips when planning your next Miami retreat, you can ensure that you have an event that everyone will remember fondly—and which will lead to maximum success!