For decades, company outings have been a familiar ritual: a yearly dinner, a drink, a team activity. Yet behind this tradition lies a deeper question:

Research into employee engagement consistently highlights the same core drivers of workplace happiness:

• A sense of belonging
• Feeling appreciated
• Meaningful relationships
• Autonomy and agency

A team experience can support all of these, but only when it is thoughtfully designed with the people in mind.

A noisy bar might be perfect for some, but for others it feels like another obligation. That’s why satisfaction with company outings is often fine, but rarely exceptional. Employees appreciate the intention, yet the experience itself determines whether they leave inspired or simply relieved it’s over.

What employees value most in a team outing

1. Relevance

The activity should fit the team’s culture and personalities. Not everyone enjoys adrenaline‑filled activities, but almost everyone appreciates an experience that encourages conversation, laughter, and authentic connection.

2. Choice

Enthusiasm drops quickly when an outing feels mandatory. Employees respond far more positively when participation is genuinely optional.

3. Involvement

Teams who help choose the activity consistently report higher satisfaction. A simple survey beforehand can make a remarkable difference.

4. Quality

Professional organization, engaging hosts, clear communication, and attention to inclusivity transform an ordinary outing into a memorable experience.

5. Purpose

Outings that celebrate achievements, welcome new colleagues, strengthen collaboration, or mark a milestone are valued far more than activities organized simply because “it’s that time of year again.”

Why culinary, cultural, and storytelling experiences work so well

Experiences centred around food, local culture, discovery, and storytelling appeal to a remarkably broad audience. They are naturally inclusive, low‑threshold, and create space for genuine interaction.

They combine:

• relaxation
• discovery
• shared conversation
• lasting memories

These are precisely the ingredients that make team experiences meaningful — and why they resonate across diverse teams.

How to organize a team outing employees will genuinely appreciate

• Ask employees about their preferences beforehand
• Offer a choice or combine different activities
• Consider physical, cultural, and social inclusivity
• Give the outing a clear purpose or story
• Gather feedback afterwards (e.g., with a simple eNPS question)
• Choose experiences that encourage conversation rather than competition

The real value lies in genuine attention

Most employees enjoy company outings, but they value them most when they feel thoughtfully designed with the team in mind.

The best outings are not simply entertaining. They make people feel appreciated, connected, and proud to be part of the organization.

That philosophy is exactly why we design our experiences around stories, local culture, and genuine interaction rather than simply filling an afternoon. At A Dutch Experience, we reveal a side of the Netherlands that few visitors, and even many Dutch people, ever discover.

If you’re looking for a team event that strengthens team spirit while creating lasting memories, we’d love to help.

The best company outings don’t end when people go home. They become stories colleagues still tell months later.