Plan Next Year Somewhere Other Than the Break Room
Year-end is when small businesses, nonprofits, and local teams review the year and set goals for the next one. It’s hard to think big in the same room where the phones ring and inboxes pile up. A half-day or full-day session in a private space helps your team focus and leave with an actual plan.
Looking for general corporate event tips? See our post on hosting a successful corporate event. This guide is focused on the year-end planning meeting itself.
What Is an Annual Planning Retreat?
An annual planning retreat is a focused meeting, usually a half or full day, where a team reviews the past year’s results and sets priorities, goals, and budgets for the next year. Unlike a holiday party, it’s a working session. Many teams pair the two: plan in the afternoon, celebrate in the evening.
Sample Half-Day Agenda
- Welcome and coffee (30 min). Set the tone and the goals for the day.
- Year in review (45 min). Wins, misses, and key numbers.
- What worked, what didn’t (45 min). Open discussion, ideally led by a neutral facilitator.
- Break and lunch (45 min).
- Next year’s priorities (60 min). Narrow down to three to five goals.
- Owners and next steps (30 min). Every goal gets an owner and a first deadline.
Why Take the Meeting Off-Site?
- Fewer interruptions. Out of the office means out of the daily fire drills.
- Better conversations. A neutral space makes it easier for people to speak up.
- Flexible setup. Arrange the room classroom-style for presentations, then switch to small-group tables for breakouts.
- Easy logistics. A central Old Town Cottonwood location is a short drive from Sedona, Camp Verde, Clarkdale, and Cornville, with lunch spots within walking distance.
What to Bring
- A laptop and cables for presenting
- Large sticky notes or easel pads for brainstorming
- Printed agendas and last year’s goals
- Catered lunch or a plan to walk to a nearby restaurant
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a year-end planning meeting be?
Most small teams get what they need in a focused half day (4 hours). Larger teams or those setting budgets may need a full day.
How much does it cost to rent a meeting space in Cottonwood?
Rental is $150 per hour plus a 20% service fee. A 50% deposit reserves your date, with the remaining balance due 45 days before your event. Some high-demand dates may require full, non-refundable payment upfront, and a $100 refundable key deposit is part of the standard booking process. A 4-hour planning session is often more affordable than people expect.
Can we combine a planning session with a holiday party?
Yes. Book one longer window, work in the afternoon, then reset the room for an evening celebration. Our company holiday party checklist can help with the second half.
Book Your Planning Session
November and December weekdays are ideal for year-end planning. Send us your preferred date, hours, and team size to check availability.
📍 637 N. Main St. Suite 2B, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
📞 (928) 456-6200
📧 info@connectionroom.org
