The Gathering Journal

Why Finding the Right Retreat Venue Shouldn't Become Your Second Full-Time Job

We’re halfway through 2026, and these are the destinations teams are choosing most right now.

A Practical Guide for Selecting a Venue That Actually Works

The questions we hear most often from our clients planning offsites, retreats, and company gatherings.

What actually happens when teams come together. Work looks different from what it did a few years ago. Teams are distributed. Schedules are flexible. Connection often happens through screens. And in many ways, it works. But something shifts when people are in the same place. Not just physically - but intentionally. The Missing Piece Isn’t Productivity. It’s Connection. Most teams today aren’t struggling to get work done. They’re struggling with: alignment communication feelin

If you're planning a retreat and staring at a blank page (or a very full spreadsheet), this step-by-step guide will help you get the wheels turning.

In many organizations, Executive Assistants (EA's) are the ones behind the scenes making everything happen - including meetings, offsites, and corporate retreats. And while planning an event can be exciting, one part of the process often takes more time than expected: Finding the right venue. Between researching options, reaching out to hotels, comparing proposals, and coordinating details, venue sourcing can quickly turn into a full-time project - on top of everything else a

In today’s increasingly remote and fast-paced work environment, teams often spend more time communicating through screens than face-to-face. While digital tools help keep work moving, they can make it harder to build strong relationships, spark creativity, and align around shared goals. That’s why many organizations are turning to corporate retreats and team offsites as a way to reconnect. A thoughtfully designed retreat creates space for meaningful conversations, collabora

Author: Meg Rodzen, Event Strategist and li+me Gatherings Co-Founder When it comes to hotel sourcing and contract negotiation, the stakes are high. Every decision impacts your budget, your guest experience, and the long-term relationships that keep your programs running smoothly. For me, negotiation isn’t just about cutting costs. It’s about finding ways to create lasting value, build trust with hotel partners, and deliver exceptional ROI for my clients. With 20 years in the