Designing a 5-Day Global Retreat That Built Connection Through Culture
The Ask
Open Society Foundations needed a cohesive, meaningful multi-day retreat for 48 senior team members traveling in from 14 different countries. It was the first time many of them had met in person—and for most, their first trip to New Orleans.
The goal: Create shared understanding and connection across cultures, while highlighting the city’s unique spirit and history.
The Challenge
- Diverse attendees with different languages, customs, and accessibility needs
- Balancing professional goals (keynotes, breakouts) with immersive cultural experiences
- Logistics coordination across 5 days, 6+ venues, and multiple group sizes
- No margin for error—flawless execution was expected from moment of arrival
The Clandestine Approach
We designed a high-touch experience that blended strategic intent with cultural immersion. Every detail—from breakout schedules to venue selections—was aligned to foster deeper relationships, local context, and global perspective.
Meeting & Work Sessions:
- Hosted at the historic Hotel Monteleone
- Morning keynotes + structured breakout sessions designed for collaboration and clarity
Afternoon Experiences:
- A custom scavenger hunt through the French Quarter to encourage play and discovery
- Guided visits to The Historic New Orleans Collection and the Audubon Aquarium
- Cultural immersion through music, food, and local storytelling
Evening Events:
- A private dinner at the former Feelings Café, curated for ambiance and reflection
- VIP access to Walter Wolfman Washington at d.b.a.—a legendary local music night
- A finale celebration at Capulet, including a locally-sourced dinner and live entertainment by the team’s own talent
Logistics Handled by Clandestine:
- All venue sourcing and booking
- Transportation scheduling, including airport transfers for 48 guests
- Full production, flow, and communication across the five-day event
The Outcome
- 100% attendance and full engagement across five days of programming—rare for a global team retreat of this complexity and duration
- Flawless execution across 14 nationalities, 6 venues, 9 experiences, and 5 days, including daily transportation and real-time schedule coordination
- Breakthrough bonding: Multiple attendees shared it was “the most meaningful team gathering of their careers”
- Leadership ROI: The senior leadership team cited the retreat as a pivotal moment in rebuilding trust, deepening alignment, and creating cultural cohesion across regional divisions
- Intangible wins, tangible results: The retreat directly contributed to renewed clarity around shared values, more fluid cross-border collaboration, and stronger inter-team relationships
Why It Worked
- We built intentional flow—alternating structured work with soulful discovery
- We only curate venues that are authentic, not touristy. This is a specialty of ours.
- We created moments that mattered, designed specifically for humans from all over the world to feel welcome, curious, and connected
Want a retreat that actually brings your team together?
Let’s design something unforgettable.
[Plan Your Offsite]
