Bleisure-Friendly Meetings for the Win

Everyone knows that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Following that adage, it’s no wonder all-business gatherings have made way for the more appealing work-play model. Although there are advantages to bleisure-friendly meetings, they’re not necessarily rubber-stamped. To help make a strong case to your C-suite, we’re providing you with the answers to their questions.

What is bleisure travel?

The hospitality industry loves a blended word. Think: staycation, hometel and workation. Bleisure lives at the intersection of business and leisure. Bleisure travel provides the opportunity for attendees to extend their stay before or after (or before AND after!) their commitment to the planned work event is done.

Here’s how it works: The company picks up the tab for transportation to and from the destination as well as covering expenses on meeting days (overnight accommodations, group activities, catering, etc.). The clear upside for attendees is the ability to score a personal vacation, often with their family in tow. Of course, the top brass will want to know why it’s good for them too.

So, what are the benefits of bleisure travel for the company?

In today’s competitive landscape, bleisure is becoming a must-have not only to encourage full meeting participation but also to attract and retain top talent. In fact, global travel agency Navan reports “73% of employees view bleisure as a corporate perk, and 59% of Gen Z workers choose employers specifically for blended travel flexibility.” Sustainability is another key issue for this burgeoning generation in the workforce. By offering them a bleisure option, they can lower their carbon footprint by trip stacking their vacation with your meeting. That’s even more goodwill in your favor as an employer!

Another consideration is the typical breakneck pace of an all-business meeting. Attendees are flown in on the day it begins and sent home the moment it ends. This tight scheduling increases stress and diminishes focus. Contrast that with bleisure travelers who arrive days ahead, opening up the time and space to decompress before the important work gets done. Which team members do you think will be more engaged and productive? The same benefit applies to the back end of your group gathering. When attendees stay beyond the meeting, they get a mental and physical reboot before returning to work.

For bottom-line watchers, a bleisure-friendly meeting can actually save the company money. How? By taking advantage of off-peak airfares. When team members stay through the weekend for a mini-vacation, they are often flying home on a Monday or Tuesday which can be significantly less costly than a Friday flight.

What prompted the rise of bleisure trips?

Because there’s no doubt they’re here to stay — and grow. In 2022, the global bleisure market hit $315.3 billion and that number is expected to jump to $731 billion-plus by 2032. Massively contributing to this are the benefits we detailed above, but there’s even more to the story.

We won’t say the p-word, but, as employees transformed their living rooms into makeshift offices en masse throughout 2020 and beyond, the hard line between work and home blurred. People adapted to smoothly transitioning between laboring and living within the same space, so making the leap from meeting to vacation within the same destination is an effortless extension of this learned mindset.

With the cost of everything continually climbing, people are also reassessing what is most important to them. Experiences are outweighing possessions more and more across every generation. By piggybacking their personal trip with your meeting, attendees are able to gain far more experiences for their vacation buck.

What makes for the best bleisure hotel?

While a basic conference hotel by the airport is functional and convenient for a meeting, it’s not exactly a draw for a leisure vacation. Let’s look into the qualities that make up the best bleisure hotel:

Desirable Destination

After being contained within the four walls of a meeting room, your team will want to venture out. Ask yourself this: “Does this destination offer points of interest that will appeal to my attendees?” Bleisure travelers crave authentic history, local arts and culture, outdoor recreation and unique culinary experiences. Our Leesburg home delivers all of these things to do — and more!

Wellness Experiences

Travel centered on physical, mental and spiritual well-being is another trend that’s not going anywhere and it’s especially appealing to meeting attendees who just gave you their all. Lansdowne Resort guests have an array of options to help them shake off the stress and discover themselves. They can indulge in the wellness treatments and therapies offered in our spa. Achieve a meditative state during a Floating Sound Bath. Join a guided nature walk, yoga session and more.

Diverse Food & Drink

Variety is the spice of life — especially when it comes to dining. Lansdowne Resort guests can feast on farm-to-table fare in our many restaurants. Each one brings a distinctive flavor to the dining experience. Coton & Rye offers a tasty tavern menu. Piedmont’s serves up regional cuisine. Riverside Hearth transforms breakfast into a show, thanks to its interactive exhibition kitchen. Harmony Market offers grab-and-go options for activity-packed days. In season, guests have two outdoor dining options — Current’s poolside service and Harmony Garden, home to our Friday Night Concert Series. Then Saturday nights bring handcrafted cocktails to The Great Room Experience.

Recreational Activities

Resort guests can break a sweat on our tennis and pickleball courts. Make a splash at our outdoor pool complex (open seasonally) or indoor heated pool. Get their cardio on in a group fitness class or keep up with their personal workout regimen in our fully equipped fitness center. Embark on endless outdoor adventures. Check our calendar for daily program offerings or simply explore the natural beauty our 500-acre Potomac River Valley property exudes.

Ready to pitch a bleisure-friendly meeting to your C-suite? Our expert specialists are eager to help. Submit your RFP today to get started and discover your momentum.