Author: nick

What They Do: They aim to get you and your staff talking with one another, and while they are talking, they will bond! Using a relaxed, yet competitive atmosphere, their entire aim is to help your team open up.

How They Do it: Through a trivia game.  Adverse to boring “trust” games and obstacle courses, TrivWorks will work with you to create a Trivia night, balancing the diversity in your team to get people talking and making connections in new ways.

What makes them Special: This is not just a “lets stick everyone in a room and they will bond” type operation, the people behind TrivWorks have thought a lot about what each company needs, and how to best support them to build strong teams.

Quotes from their Site: 

“Once people start talking and getting to know one another better, they will realize not only things which they have in common, but see each other in a fresh light. This is the key to creating teams and workplaces which are truly happy, fostering positive workplace skills such as collaboration, communication and smart conflict resolution which are so vital to producing great team results.”

Visit their Website:http://www.trivworks.com/employee-team-building/

What They Do: They sail you and your team around the harbour, you play some games and generally just have a good time together, on a boat!

How They Do it: They will pick your team up from one of the 5 marinas in New York City, you will ride around on the boat for a specified amount of time, whether it is to have dinner, or play games together, listen to some jazz- there are a lot of options, depending on what would suite your team best.

What makes them Special: It is on a boat! It is a unique kind of event to host, you really escape the city vibe, and do something completely different. Also, there are many options for what to do while you are on the boat, finding something that would suite your team is a breeze.

Quotes from their Website: 

“Bring a smile and a willingness to learn and try new things. This is a unique opportunity to learn a lot of interesting information from experienced, professional sailors. It’s going to be insightful and a lot of fun!”

“Perfect for any corporate team-building event, the schooners have a fun, competitive, and educational team-building program. With hands-on activities, teams will not only have a great time but will also collectively learn about the basics of sailing and line-handling.”

Visit their Website: http://www.sail-nyc.com/corporate-events

Chelsea Piers, Suite 103 New York, NY 10011

What They Do: They customize cooking classes to meet the needs of your team specifically.

How They Do it: They work closely with you and your team to find out how they can customize a cooking course that will help your team build together based on their strengths and weaknesses.

What makes them Special: This is not just a cooking class, they will actively work with you to find out what your team needs to be successful outside the kitchen. They have been working with teams for 25 years, and know that having fun is important, but it is not the only thing that matters when it comes to team building.

Quotes from their Site:

“Culinary team building provides activities to identify team strengths and weaknesses, and then offers strategies for improving productivity and effectiveness. Your event may focus on advancing specific skills, such as team communications or resource allocation. We can provide culinary challenges to encourage risk taking”

“We are New York’s premier corporate team building authority. Over 80,000 people have cooked and feasted at Cooking by the Book!.”

“Clients who want a highly personalized experience value Cooking by the Book’s proven expertise. Our clients — small and large, local and worldwide — return again and again to our program. Our cooking classes are led by highly qualified professional chefs with additional teaching skills to foster team interaction. Your team has fun while they boost their communications and sharing skills.”

13 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-966-9799
Email: [email protected]

What They Do: They offer an Italian Food cooking class for groups in a kitchen loft in New York City.

How They Do it: They will create a tailor-made menu for your team, and pair your special menu with Italian wines. You can even add a chocolate tasting, if you are so inclined!

What makes them Special: This is not their first rodeo! Or ravioli? Either way- Rustico has been hosting corporate events for a long time, with a variety of client (see their client list here) Also, they specialize in Italian food, where as some of the other cooking courses are a bit more broad, Rustico has a clear focus and expertise.

Quotes from their Site:

“One last thing: we believe food should be delicious, and every meal should be a celebration. So when you come to our kitchen, you will not only learn how to execute a menu; you will also learn how it should taste, because the food we make in your company is always flavorful, fresh, and satisfying.”

“If you’re looking for an effective, fun way to bond with colleagues, a cooking party is an original team-building exercise that will leave you and your guests smiling long after the cooking is done.”

40 West 39th Street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10018

Phone: 917-602-1519.

What They Do:  They offer a top-class, fun cooking courses for corporate team building, quite simply having fun with food.

How They Do it: They have three programs, their Grand Cru: the My Cooking Party Cooking Class, and two competition style MasterChef inspired events, depending on what would suit your team best.

What makes them Special: They are a lot of fun. They have been doing this in NYC for over 10 years, and have a high focus on just having a good time together. They are experts on having a bit of a silly time, with some good food and games!

Who should you contact:

13 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-966-9799
E-Mail: [email protected]

Quotes from their Site:

“Beyond being a one stop activity spot, we really pride ourselves on the fact that our Cooking Classes truly bring people together in a unique way; slicing, dicing and sautéing to the Gypsy Kings often leads to an impromptu dance party.”

“The MCP Approach to corporate teambuilding is, and always has been, Organic. We believe that the greatest way to create human connections is through food!”

“My Cooking Party’s Corporate Outings are a super fun and the best departure from the same old Corporate Dining Boredom & Awkward Client Dinner. Our interactive cooking classes, parties & competitions give your guests the opportunity to connect in a more meaningful way; engaging all participants in a common experience. Seriously, it’s a Blast!”

What They Do: Serve your staff wine and food, and let them get merry in a calm and sophisticated atmosphere.

How They Do it: Brooklyn Winery has a variety of things you can do, while drinking wine of course! From games, to pairings, tastings and a full blown wine-making sessions, they will help you customize an event that suite your team.

What makes them Special: The events are well planned, and the venue is beautiful. They will take care of the whole event, start to finish, so all you have to do is relax, and enjoy some fine wine.

Quote from the Site: 

“Our rustic, repurposed wood furnishings combined with an industrial feel provide an amazing ambiance and backdrop for client entertaining, mixers, and team building events. Brooklyn Winery is an all-inclusive venue, so we take care of a lot of the planning to make your event seamless.”

Who should you contact:

Brooklyn Winery, 213 North 8th St., Brooklyn, NY 11211 U.S.A

Phone: 347-763-1506

What They Do: They will organize a customized game of Humans Vs. Zombies for your team. Essentially, Human Vs. Zombies is a giant game of tag. For adults.

How They Do it:  They will customize the game for your team based on time frames and people, and facilitate the playing of the game. The teams will essentially fight each other, completing missions and racing around.

What makes them Special:  This is not a standard game of tag. It’s involved, and active and fun! No standard corporate ice breaker team activities here. Something unique for vibrant teams in need of a bit of a switch up.

Quotes from the Site

“We can arrange HvZ events to suit your needs, whether that’s a week-long adventure or just a few hours of intense fun. HvZ works great in parks and can even be set up indoors. All that we require is enough room for people to be able to run around, throw balled up socks at one another (or shoot foam dart blasters), and lose themselves in the experience.”

“Humans vs. Zombies requires you to put your “life” (or “un-life”) in the hands of your fellow players. Participants find themselves swept up in an absurd game of tag, and are left with a camaraderie that lasts long after they have stopped playing.”

Visit their website:  humansvszombies.org

What They Do: Essentially, the team will spend time playing together, in a what seems to be a organizedly chaotic atmosphere.

How They Do it: They have lots of games to choose from, and they will spend some time with you to make sure your team will get the most out of their time together- big on proper planning and customizing!

What makes them Special: These people know how to have fun, but at the same time, they will take care of you from beginning to end to make sure you are getting what you came for. They’ve taken a great idea and put it into functional practice.

Contact Information:  [email protected]

Video:

Site Quotes:

“Play like it’s your job: Outrageously fun real-world adventures to build strong teams.”

“The Go Game will braid you all into a friendship bracelet of professional effectiveness that will be the envy of your professional peers.”

“Technology has been an integral part of the Go Game from the beginning”

Comedy and improv events are hilarious, interactive experiences that’ll motivate employees and improve team performance. They can teach essential communication skills, and vital soft business skills like focus, trust, and being present. These activities will bond your team socially, and empower them.