“Every event is a story, where you want to have a distinct beginning, middle, and end,” says event planner Amy Zaroff. But to be most effective and immersive, you’ve also got to be mindful of attendee bandwidth.

“You have to make room for fun and for learning,” she says. “Think of corporate events as social events. What do you enjoy when you’re with friends and family? It’s the same thing you would enjoy with your colleagues, just in a more professional setting.”

Here’s Zaroff’s sample itinerary for a one-day off-site event.

“You have to make room for fun and for learning.”

—Amy Zaroff

Connection first

Build in some flexibility to allow attendees to arrive at various times, whether it’s for registration or breakfast. Especially if the event is an early start, Zaroff suggests kicking off in a relaxed environment where guests can meet each other. It allows for an easier transition to the next block.

Learning session No. 1

“The very first session of the day needs to really amp people up,” Zaroff says. It should last no longer than two hours, and any keynote speakers should not be longer than an hour.

Meaningful break time

This doesn’t just mean giving guests enough time to use the restroom. “A themed break adds another element of surprise and delight,” Zaroff says. This can mean branding opportunities, like branded coffee cups and beverage napkins, interesting food and beverage offerings like a build-your-own-lunch-box bar, or activities, such as chair massages.

Learning session No. 2

Think of this as your second focused opportunity to educate and inspire the group.

The kicker

You’ve learned, motivated, and networked. The grand finale is when the event can really amp up the fun. Immersive entertainment like live music, along with food experiences such as food trucks, can help bring the event to a memorable close. The final event might take your team to another location, which is a chance to add an extra element like an open-air trolley that serves as a tour of the city and a ride to the event, she says.

“Leave your guests wanting more,” Zaroff says, “because then they’re going to remember that feeling as they do their business day-to-day.”