Year-round sunshine and a passion for creativity make the Golden State a natural for exceptional team-building experiences. We asked five California-based event experts to share some of the most memorable programs they’ve conducted.
Sarah Newton, Event Manager, American Outback Adventures & Events, Los Angeles
www.americanoutback.net
- Amazing Chase, Los Angeles: This highly interactive event, based on the popular television show, pits teams of four against each other in a competitive race against time.
Our event in Los Angeles saw teams scouring the downtown core for clues and challenges. They searched the Frank Gehry-designed Disney Concert Hall to count the pipes in the concert hall organ or discovered hidden gems like the spiral iron staircase in the Bradbury Building and not-so-hidden gems like the 100-ounce Challenge Nugget of gold on display at the Wells Fargo Museum. This fun and fast-paced event is popular with locals and visitors alike because everyone discovers something new about Los Angeles. - CI: Crime Investigators, Napa: This popular event, based on the successful CSI television series, allows groups to step into the shoes of forensic investigators who are engaged in solving a crime.One memorable event took place at the Meritage Resort and Spa in its on-site vineyard. Dramatic crime scenes were set up between the grape vines and inside the cold, dark wine cave, and participants mingled with the eclectic mix of locals and visitors at the bar while an undercover informant surreptitiously passed them a clue to the crime written on a coaster. The colorful characters of the Napa Valley always make this a great event, as you’re never really sure if that stranger is in on the game—or just a strange stranger!
- GPS: Geocache Challenge, Golden Gate National Recreation Area: This standout high-tech event was a unique blend of history and technology. Held at Cavallo Point at Fort Baker in Sausalito, this program saw teams using GPS units to navigate through the historic Army grounds and park trails. Teams were challenged with tasks beyond navigation, including completing an obstacle course and retrieving clues from a crab trap on the public pier. During the day, teams were rewarded with amazing views of Alcatraz, San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Jayne Hannah, Director of Programs, TeamBonding, San Francisco
www.teambonding.com/west
- The Da Vinci Museum Hunt, Los Angeles: The best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code was the inspiration for creator Chris Cassone, who thought the perfect location would be The Getty Museum. Teams received detailed maps for clues that are visible in various paintings throughout the museum. Questions included “In Venus and Adonis by Benzi, what animal is being pulled from the boar?” Or “In Sebastiano Ricci’s painting, what is Perseus turning his enemies into?”
- Hair Razing Race: The perfect place was Hollywood because the theme for the meeting was Reach for the Stars. It was a young group with a focus on advertising and we customized our Hair Razing program and made the challenge a race for fame and fortune. Using cars, teams were sent to Hollywood sites where they produced a commercial, created a press release for a starlet and, at Grauman’s Theater, identified stars. Our aim was to have participants enjoy the thrill of the movie business.
- Urban Scaventure, San Francisco: Hitting the streets of San Francisco with a camera, teams take 30 photographs to complete the challenge. Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular location. Where else, for instance, would participants find a Jack Sparrow look-alike and allow him to kiss their hand?
Ed Tilley, Director, Adventure Associates, Napa
www.adventureassoc.com
- Pursuit Program in the Wine Country: Great weather and pristine scenery make the California Wine Country a perfect setting for groups as small as 16 or as large as 100 or more. We can set up Pursuit at a winery, park or Sonoma or Napa Valley resort. Teams of approximately 12 are given a backpack of supplies and are required to come up with a strategy to gain as many points as possible by participating in various team challenges.
- San Francisco GeoTrek: GeoTrek courses are set in rural or urban settings and secret caches are hidden in parks or peculiar city spots. San Francisco stands out as an exceptional course. Teams explore nooks and crannies of Fisherman’s Wharf, the Ferry Building and Chinatown. We can hold a post-program debrief at Ghiradelli Square, with a priceless view of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, or inside over drinks at one of many amazing restaurants in the city.
- Team Sailing in San Diego: Teams have the opportunity to practice different areas of responsibility—at the helm, manning a winch or handling a line, then coaching peers with newly acquired skills and sharing risk-taking (and mistake-handling). Coast Guard-certified captains acquaint groups with the 22- to 36-foot sailboats, covering techniques such as tacking and jibing, sail handling and steering. Sailing out of San Diego Bay, teams can expect sunny skies and a good afternoon breeze.
Matt Robbins, President, The Event Team, San Diego
www.eventteam.com
- Downtown Disney Adventure Rally: This team-building activity captures the spirited adventure and energy of Disneyland and Downtown Disney. Teams are given maps and a list of clues. To earn bonus points, teams are given a $2 “emergency envelope” to purchase the most unique item they can find. Back at “rally headquarters”—we recommend a private space at House of Blues or one of the Patina Restaurant Group establishments like Tortilla Jo’s—teams prepare storyboards while enjoying drinks and appetizers. While judges score each team’s creation, a buffet dinner is served. Planners can add personalized mouseketeer ears and admission to Disneyland, and the rally can incorporate the park as well.
- Amazing Chase for Charity, Balboa Park, San Diego: This event marries two popular team-building challenges: Bike Building for Charity and Amazing Race. One of our favorite locales is Balboa Park, the nation’s largest urban cultural park, which is a wonderful “playground.”
As they move from checkpoint to checkpoint, they will learn about the art, culture, architecture, horticulture and history that surround them. With each challenge completion, they will “earn” a new bike part. Once all parts are collected, teams race back to headquarters to construct their bicycle. When the bikes are complete, they are showcased in a mini-parade along with a storyboard that details each team’s journey through the park. - Can-Struction Challenge & Food Drive, San Diego Food Bank: This team-building activity mixes corporate bonding with helping local families in need. Teams create an original “can-struction” and presentation. Supplies provided are identical, but participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to add to the company’s donation. At the finale, San Diego Food Bank representatives speak about the organization and accept the canned food items. We can hire a videographer to document the event and put together a film highlighting the importance of corporate responsibility within your company, complete with interviews from participants and San Diego Food Bank recipients.
Trish Gill, “Cheer Captain,” The AdVenture Group, Palm Desert
www.adventuregroupinc.com
- Spy Game, San Diego: Our most “outside-the-box” event was in San Diego: the Spy Game in the beautiful Gas Lamp District. The company had us kidnap their boss with the remaining participants of the company going out in teams to locate him. We started at the Hotel Solamar, where we briefed participants on how the experience works. The plan was to have them start strategizing among themselves. Then they went out and met colorful characters and performed stunts and asked questions for points. They stopped at several locations for the challenges, including Seaport Village, Dublin Square Irish Pub and the Embarcadero Marina Park.
- Executive Challenge, Palm Desert: We’ve done an Executive Challenge, which is along the lines of the Amazing Race, but in beautiful Palm Desert. Teams performed comical stunts at designated locations to earn points. This program took place along El Paseo (Palm Desert’s high-end shopping district). Stunts included finding particular statues and filming teams dancing with El Paseo’s statues and seeing who could keep a hula hoop moving in action the longest.
- Downtown Disney Programs: Apprentt-Race was a team-building experience we did at Downtown Disney. Teams produced a 30-second commercial or hit radio jingle about their company that included five random buzz words. Teams were scored based on creativity and originality In another, called Rages to Riches, teams were provided only string, tape and scissors. They had to build a functional product with recycled items and create a sales pitch for it. Scoring was based on creativity, the pitch and the overall quality of the product. A third challenge at Downtown Disney is American Idol, in which teams write, direct and film an original music video—and film it live in front of an audience on the Disney street until someone pays them a dollar. Teams are scored based on their overall creativity and execution of the project.
