Activity sessions beneficial

A conference break can be used to refresh and motivate delegates and make them contribute more, says Brendon Charles, of Mountain Adventures Rotorua Ltd.

By involving them in a range of activities and exercises which physically have nothing to do with their work environment, they will probably possess improved personal and group dynamic skills, he says.

"I believe that with proper planning, activity sessions can achieve much, if not all, of the above." Many companies that regularly include an activity-based team building session in their conference itinerary, would agree with this, Mr Charles says.

The term "team building" does get a hammering, however.

"I've seen anything from golf and fishing to scenic flights, given the label. Often the 'team' part is completely overlooked."

Yet adventure tourism products do have a place as conference activities, he says.

"If a company simply wants to refresh delegates part way through a tough or mentally demanding programme, an activity that provides a change of scenery and some fresh air can be a good option."

Mountain Adventures Rotorua, Mr Charles says, has been providing customised activity packages to the conference and incentive market for five years. Initial sessions may include exercises designed to break the ice.

"We use a large range of group initiative exercises built around experiential learning techniques. These exercises are constructed to highlight the way individuals interact in a group environment. The learning component of the exercise comes through sequencing these activities and through skilled facilitation and debriefing."

By keeping the programmes lively and humorous "we are able to provide the refresher or energiser often needed to keep the conference alive and moving. Throwing in the odd off-the-wall activity can be a great lift between more intense exercises."

For example, a popular and game airline manager presented himself as a shooting gallery target. As he shuttled between barriers - wearing protective clothing - his staff peppered him with shots from paintball guns.

"The staff loved it and the manager gained a lot of respect," Mr Charles says.

For a recent conference with a "Mission Possible" theme, his company delivered the scenario and objectives of the activity session on a tape recording.

"Your mission should you decide to accept it ...," it began, and ended with the familiar "this tape will self-destruct in 5s." It did this in a puff of sparks and smoke.

Although not of the dangling-fromhelicopters type, the exercises that followed were along Mission Impossible lines.

What the client wanted to achieve, Mr Charles says, was to connect a positive mental attitude to the focus of the conference, and reinforce it. The exercises also gave participants a break from the seminar room.

To get value from activity sessions, Mr Charles says, conference organisers should clearly identify what they wish to achieve and sit down with the activity provider to determine precisely how they are going to do it.