How to Plan A Fun-Filled Company Retreat at Opal Key
Your employees might not jump at the idea of a company meeting, but when you announce that it’s in Key West … they’ll be packing their suitcases before you can say “Southernmost Point.” If you’re looking for a location that has all the modern business amenities, but is only steps from some much-needed fun, Opal Key Resort and Marina is the perfect place. We put together a sample agenda to get the ideas flowing.
A SAMPLE AGENDA FOR CORPORATE TEAM-BUILDING
Arrive in Style
When you step into the lobby of this Old Key West-style resort, you’ll be greeted by tropical flowers, warm island breezes and colors that reflect the nearby waterfront. Spacious guest rooms evoke the colors of the ocean and are available from single rooms up to three-bedroom suites.
Start off with Breakfast, Island-Style
Start your day off right with a customized breakfast catered right to your meeting space, or gather your team at Bistro 245. This open-air, waterfront restaurant is a picture-perfect space to enjoy a morning cup of joe and some fresh, tropical fruit while soaking in some truly stunning scenery. The breakfast menu includes staples like steel-cut oatmeal and pancakes as well as island-inspired fare like Caribbean french toast and fresh-squeezed Florida orange juice.
Attend the Morning Keynote
The Opal Key Resort and Marina is one of the top meeting spaces in Key West, and with space to accommodate up to 300 guests, you can host an all-company annual conference or an intimate executive retreat.
The Truman Ballroom is a space you can customize to accommodate everyone at once, or break apart into smaller groups from 28 to 70. Start your day off with an energizing keynote speech in this large, modern space that fits everyone and is fully equipped with audio-visual equipment and wifi.
Enjoy Lunch Al Fresco
It’s time to head back outdoors and get a dose of Florida sunshine. Castaways poolside bar serves up delicious, island-inspired fare in a lush landscape where shade abounds and the smell of saltwater is in the air. Choose from apps like Southernmost crab cakes or seared yellowfin tuna, a variety of seafood-based salads, hearty sandwiches from a filling Monte Cristo to a flaky grouper, and top it off with a Key West staple, key lime pie.
Head to Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Make your afternoon sessions a more intimate affair as your teams spread out around the resort’s other meeting spaces.
- The Dewey Boardroom, a 16-seat room that features a granite table top, balconies and windows open to island palm trees
- The Sunrise Boardroom, with room for 28 to 75 and filled with natural light
- The Bravo Boardroom, which can accommodate 10 people and is perfect for intimate gatherings
Or, if you wish, let the resort’s expert staff reconfigure the large ballroom into as many as six smaller spaces.
Sneak in a Break
If you have time between meetings, Opal Key Resort and Marina has plenty of opportunities to take a step away from the work and have a moment of fun. Take a stroll along the resort’s marina to see boats of all types, dip your toes into the sparkling pool, or grab a power nap on one of the pool deck’s luxury loungers. If you’re looking for a way to cool off, look for one of the resort’s complimentary smoothies or fresh-fruit popsicles – they’re offered every day!
If you have slightly more time, the resort’s state-of-the-art fitness center offers cardio machines complete with smartphone ports, free weights, yoga mats and more. For a more relaxed break from the day’s work, stop by the property’s intimate, full-service spa.
Celebrate the Sunset
There’s nothing in the world like a Key West sunset celebration, and your entire team can enjoy one of Mother Nature’s finest shows – minus the crowds – from the resort’s private Sunset Deck. With plenty of room to spread out and relax, you can enjoy hors d’oeuvres like lobster quesadillas and Cuban sandwiches, margaritas and other tropical drinks, and breathtaking sunset views right from the water’s edge.
Enjoy the Island After Dark
If a good venue is all about the location, then Opal Key Resort and Marina is pure Key West perfection. Nestled on the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, this tropical getaway is within walking distance of many of the destinations that draw visitors to Key West: Mallory Square, The Key West Shipwreck Museum, the Conch Tour Train, the Truman Little White House and the nightlife of Duval Street are just a short walk away.
