Location? Wellbeing considerations? Time of day? When it comes to planning corporate meetings and events, new research from the 2025 Mindful Mornings, Active Afternoons Survey, shows that priorities are shifting. This survey, put together by Foxhills Club & Resort, reveals that team-building and wellbeing-focused events should be top priorities for corporate event planners.
The annual report highlights a clear change in how and where organisations choose to meet, with almost half (47%) of respondents reporting an increase in the demand for off-site meetings year-on-year. The stats have also revealed that nearly 90% of those surveyed view team-building as essential to business success.
These findings suggest that organisations are increasingly prioritising location-led, and wellbeing-focused experiences, with the intention of fostering creativity and collaboration. When asked, 53% stated that location was the single most important factor when selecting a venue - a 16% rise from last year - with accessibility, atmosphere, and natural surroundings outweighing considerations like facilities or technology.
The data also suggests businesses are rethinking when they meet. Thursdays have overtaken Fridays as the most popular day for off-site gatherings (41%), as organisations look to keep Fridays free for wrap-ups and flexible working. Mornings are considered the most productive time for creative thinking, with just over 70% preferring to schedule creative-focused tasks earlier in the day, up 12% from 2024.
Wellbeing remains central to event planning, particularly in the afternoons, with 66% of respondents favouring outdoor walks as the most popular way to counter the post-lunch slump - a 22% increase from last year.
Kelly Elton, Group Director of Sales at Foxhills Collection, commented: ‘Businesses tell us time and again that coming to Foxhills gives them clarity, inspires creativity and provides them with a fresh mindset.
'Stepping away from the office helps people think differently and work together in new ways. The results from the survey paint a clear picture: off-site meetings and events are not only here to stay but are growing in strategic importance.
‘Demand is rising, formats are diversifying, and attendee expectations are becoming more sophisticated. Organisations are placing greater emphasis on location accessibility, flexible agendas and wellness-led schedules, with service excellence remaining a non-negotiable.’
Looking to implement these changes? Check out our guides to the best team-building venues in the UK, as well as the top spots for wellness events across the country.