The 2025 Mindful Mornings, Active Afternoons Survey, has highlighted the growing importance of off-site meetings with almost half of respondents reporting a year-on-year increase, highlighting the key factors driving businesses to take their teams beyond the office.
Created by Foxhills Club & Resort, the survey shows a clear shift towards location-led, wellbeing-focused events, with Thursday being reinforced as the most popular day for gathering and mornings proving to be the most productive time for creative thinking.
When asked which meetings should be held off-site, respondents placed team engagement (85%), strategy (76%) and brainstorming (61%) at the top of the list. Nearly half (47%) reported an increase in off-site meeting demand compared to last year – as organisations seek fresh surroundings to inspire thinking and strengthen connections.
Location (53%) remains the single most important factor when selecting a venue, increasing by 16% year-on-year, with accessibility, surroundings and atmosphere influencing perceptions of success more than facilities or technology. Thursday has overtaken Friday as the preferred day for off-site meetings (41%), as businesses look to keep Fridays free for wrap-ups and flexible working.
Mornings are becoming prime time for innovation, with just over 70% of respondents preferring to tackle creative tasks early in the day – up 12% on last year. Nearly 90% of those surveyed view team building as a priority, while wellbeing is also front of mind when tackling the post-lunch slump, with outdoor walks the clear winner (66%), up 22% from 2024.
Kelly Elton, Group Director of Sales at Foxhills Collection, said: “Businesses tell us time and again that coming to Foxhills gives them clarity, inspires creativity and provides them with a fresh mindset. Stepping away from the office helps people think differently and work together in new ways. The results from the survey paint a clear picture: off-site meetings and events are not only here to stay but are growing in strategic importance.
“Demand is rising, formats are diversifying, and attendee expectations are becoming more sophisticated. Organisations are placing greater emphasis on location accessibility, flexible agendas and wellness-led schedules, with service excellence remaining a non-negotiable.”
