Recognition and Awards: Using events to build a thriving team

An event might just seem like a fun way to wrap up the year, but getting your team together to share a positive experience is a powerful way to engage and excite your people, inspire innovation, retain top talent, and improve productivity. According to Gallup’s ‘State of the Global Workplace’ report, only 23% of employees feel engaged at work, and 1 in 10 employees don’t feel “valued at all,” according to a report by Workhuman. Well-planned and executed events, that have a clear purpose, are an important part of the puzzle when it comes to addressing these issues and fostering a positive workplace culture in the coming year.

End-of-year events are a well-honoured workplace tradition, but more organisations are looking to go beyond drinks after work at the pub and create a positive, shared experience and really say thank you. We have been working with a range of businesses to invest in engaging their teams through events, including CF Fertilisers and Leighton. Earlier this autumn we partnered with CF Fertilisers to deliver a leadership conference at Wynyard Hall as part of their annual staff engagement series. Now in its second year, the conference centred around the theme of ‘Inclusive Leadership,’ with a focus on inclusion, collaboration, and empowerment, and gave the leadership team a way of recognising and rewarding success across a large team.

Just recently we had the pleasure of planning a company day for Leighton after a record year for the organisation. Leighton wanted a day that blended business updates, team bonding, and celebratory fun and we brought that to life with a mini internal awards ceremony to acknowledge outstanding team contributions, a lively quiz, complete with themed rounds and friendly competition, capping off the evening with laughter and tasty food. The result was a company day that strengthened their company culture, celebrated achievements and left a lasting impression on the team.

Events don’t have to be run of the mill and can range from team-building retreats and workshops to annual parties and corporate celebrations. When businesses invest in these gatherings, they provide employees with opportunities to step away from their routines and engage in unique experiences. These experiences often help cultivate camaraderie, thereby strengthening relationships across departments.

So, how can events make your team feel more motivated in 2025?

1. They give an opportunity to say thank you

We all like to know that our hard work has been noticed and appreciated, and sometimes simply saying thank you is all it takes to make teammates feel appreciated. Simple words of gratitude can transform organisational culture and getting everyone together allows leaders to personally show their thanks to for hard work and dedication in a really personal way. Making time to organise an event to say thank you shows that every team member is valued and plays a vital role in the future success of the business, creating a sense of shared purpose.

2. Increase productivity

A well-timed and thoughtful event can lead to increased productivity across the whole business. When teams are given the chance to recharge and bond outside of the conventional work environment, they return to their tasks with renewed energy and creativity. Well-executed events with a clear purpose serve as a platform for brainstorming and innovation. For instance, hackathons or brainstorming sessions during retreats can give you valuable insights and foster collaborative thinking. By creating opportunities to collaborate in an informal setting, businesses can inspire idea generation that may not have a chance to surface during typical office hours!

3. Attract and retain the best talent

In an era where talent is at a premium, retention is more critical than ever. Events present the perfect opportunity to engage teams and instil a sense of belonging within the business. Regularly scheduled events – such as monthly check-ins, recreational activities, or professional development workshops – can all enhance job satisfaction. It doesn’t always have to be a big celebration either, getting into the habit of recognising birthdays or work anniversaries through small celebrations or acknowledgment events can significantly boost morale. These gestures show appreciation and encourage loyalty, making teams feel more like family. When colleagues feel appreciated and connected, they are more likely to stay with the business and contribute to continued success and growth.

4. Give people a chance to connect

How we make space to connect defines the culture of a business and provides the foundation to achieve almost anything – this could be through a fun day out, an outdoor adventure, an awards ceremony, a charity event, or a cooking class. Modern working patterns and alternating shift patterns might mean that some team members never have the chance to meet or get to know each other. This could lead to cliques forming or teams being unaware of priorities across the business.

5. Reward effort, achievements, and value-led behaviours

Designing an event that everyone across the business can enjoy and be part of, is a fun way to reward not just commercial success, but also give a pat on the back to those who best demonstrate company values too! Why not create a poll where people can choose what they want to do at the event so everyone feels involved, or make space to celebrate people who have gone above and beyond?

6. Create positive shared experiences

Events can range from team-building retreats and workshops to annual parties and celebrations, but at BeaconHouse we always do things a bit differently…so teams are surprised, engaged, and entertained for the whole event.  When businesses invest in bringing people together they provide opportunities to step away from routine and engage in unique experiences – especially important for hybrid teams or those with mixed shift patterns. These experiences help to strengthen relationships across departments and allow people the space to get to know each other.

Ultimately, when a business prioritises the experiences of their team and actively recognises their contributions, they cultivate a thriving workplace and set themselves up for sustained success. Harness the power of events, say thank you, and watch the positive ripple effect across the whole business in 2025 and beyond.

To speak to the team at BeaconHouse Events about creating a meaningful experience for your team or to simply chat through your staff engagement plans. Email info@beaconhouse-events.co.uk or give us a call +44 (0)191 691 3456.