Leadership team
Organising an executive offsite
An executive offsite brings the leadership team, often around ten people, out of the office for one or two days to step back, weigh options and decide. It needs a quiet, discreet venue, a meeting room set up boardroom style and, in most cases, bedrooms on site.
In short
- A small group, often 8 to 15 people.
- One or two days, most often residential.
- Calm and confidentiality above all.
- A boardroom-style room with daylight.
What sets an executive offsite apart
A leadership offsite is not organised like a team seminar: the group is small and the topics are sensitive.
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A small group
Around ten executives: a room of the right size and attentive service matter more than a large space.
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Confidentiality
A private room, away from other groups, and discreet staff so everyone can speak freely.
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The boardroom
A single boardroom-style table where everyone sees everyone, with a screen and video conferencing.
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Staying overnight
Sleeping on site extends the discussions over dinner and leaves a full morning the next day.
Typical two-day agenda
An example to adapt to the agenda: alternate working sessions and more informal moments.
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Day 1, 9:30 am
Welcome and framing
Coffee, a reminder of the objectives and the agenda.
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Day 1, 10:00 am
Working sessions
Review of the strategy and of the issues to settle, with a lunch break.
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Day 1, 5:00 pm
Informal time
A walk, a gentle activity or free time before dinner.
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Day 1, 8:00 pm
Dinner
A dinner in a small circle to continue the discussions differently.
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Day 2, 9:00 am
Decisions
Trade-offs and priorities for the months ahead.
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Day 2, 2:00 pm
Action plan
Owners, deadlines and messages to share with the teams, then departure.
Six criteria for choosing the venue
- A private boardroom-style meeting room suited to the size of the group.
- Calm and discretion, away from other groups.
- Single bedrooms on site for every participant.
- Easy access from head office, by train or by car.
- A reliable connection, a screen and video conferencing equipment.
- Spaces for informal moments: a lounge, a garden or a terrace.
Frequently asked questions
What is an executive offsite?
A meeting of the management committee or the executive committee away from the office, over one or two days, to work on strategy, weigh options and decide.
How many people attend a leadership offsite?
Most often between 8 and 15 people. This small headcount opens the door to more intimate venues.
How long should it last?
One day for a precise agenda, two days with a night on site for in-depth work on strategy.
How far in advance should you book?
Usually 2 to 4 months. The small group leaves more choice of venues, but executives' diaries mean the date must be set early.
How do you guarantee confidentiality?
Choose a private room away from other groups and state your need for discretion in the request: the venue takes it into account for service and organisation.
What type of venue should you choose?
A boutique hotel, a château or a guest house with a boardroom works well: calm, bedrooms on site and attentive service.
Let us find the perfect venue for you - it's free!
- Benefit from a personalized venue search for your professional event. An event expert will guide you from the initial briefing to offer negotiations.
- If you are organizing an event that combines multiple criteria (meeting rooms, team-building activities, accommodations, evening events, etc.), Alfred Meeting conducts a custom venue search for you.