At White Oaks, conferences don’t have to be boring. Bringing your company to a conference is definitely  an important way to get your team together to share successes, learn new skills, and, in some cases, build a better, tighter team or network.  But, bored delegates are unproductive, uncommunicative and unengaged, and ultimately, you are less likely to meet the goals you have set as a company. Check out ten cool ways to kick up your conference! (Hint hint, White Oaks offers all of these awesome add-ons!)

1. Add a “Chef attended Pizza Oven Experience” to create some interaction and creativity to your event!

People love the ability to customize an experience, and what’s more customizable than having a chef make a pizza just the way you want it! Whole wheat or white? Meat? Veggie? Oh, you can’t have dairy… no problem! Chef attended pizza ovens allow for a delicious meal made exactly the way you want it, and our pizza ovens can do it in just 90 seconds!

 
2. Bring out the kid in everyone with a BBQ and backyard games!

Once conference sessions are complete, help people relax and unwind with food and fun! Backyard games like volleyball, frisbee, or giant Jenga are great ways to get people talking, and building relationships… plus, it always brings out a little friendly competition, which can help teams bond!

3. Create some evening atmosphere around your BBQ with a fire pit, s’mores and an old-fashioned sing along!

Many people have fond memories of camp as a child; singing campfire songs, roasting marshmallows, and making friends. Take it back to those simple times and enjoy  s’mores and some good company. Grab a seat around the fire and create some memories!

4. Break out of the meeting room for lunch and have a BBQ Lunch on the patio.

It’s easy to bring a tray of sandwiches and some fruit and desserts into a meeting room when you break for lunch, but getting some fresh air and a change of scenery can be a huge relief! Try an outdoor BBQ lunch with burgers, sausage, veggie options, and more, to clear your head before an afternoon of productive work takes place!

5. Enjoy a local beer or wine tour in gorgeous Niagara-on-the-Lake!

There are few better ways to enjoy the Niagara Region than with a delicious drink in hand! The Niagara Region is home to over 80 wineries, and a handful of breweries that are producing delicious, award winning reds, whites, ice wines, and brews! Take a tour and see the process from the ground up, while sampling a little bit of everything along the way!

6. Allow your guests to experience the local craft beer offerings at your event

Breweries are budding all through Niagara-on-the-Lake! Showcase some local brews at your conference! From Silversmith’s Dark Lager to Oast House’s Barn Raiser, there’s sure to be something for everyone!

7. Create a company signature Martini to add a theme to your reception!

Signature cocktails are often found at weddings, to add a little personal flare, so why not add that to your conference! Try a play on words, a relevant ingredient, or something fun to get your delegates talking… and drinking! Not that creative with booze? Ask for help from your venues mixologist. Yes, they should have one! Cheers!

8. Step up your event with a Chef’s table and tasting with a local winemaker!

With so many incredible wineries right here in our backyard, it’s always a treat to bring in a local winemaker to showcase their local wines! Setting up a Chef’s table with pairings is a great experiential dining option for your delegates!

9. Add a ‘Create your own Sundae Station’ and allow your delegates to feel like kids again!

Cold ice cream on a hot day was the perfect childhood treat. Help your delegates recreate the feelings of nostalgia as they build their own soft-serve sundae, complete with waffle bowls and all the fixin’s!  Try adding for dessert or, even better, an afternoon break on the patio!

10. Did someone say Poutine?

The ultimate Canadian snack, indulge in a Poutine station! Food stations are a great way to add something memorable to your conference, and this poutine station is no different! Delegates will have a great time building the classic Canadian staple!

There are so many ways to make your conference interactive and memorable; this is just the tip of the iceberg! Make sure to ask your meeting planner for interesting and inspired add ons that will keep your delegates engaged, all conference long!