Get out of town!
A case for the out-of-town conference
Remember the days when going away on conference, whether it was an hour out of town or an international or domestic flight to a cool destination, when budgets were bold and bolstered and you could even take your other half, was ever popular? Not anymore! The past few years have seen in-house conferences or those close-to-home getaways becoming the norm and with bottom-lines being paramount, groups got smaller and time spent out of the office less and less.
But with business slowly gathering momentum the conference landscape is once again changing and the out-of-town conference is gaining popularity for businesses large and small. Why? Well, it has enormous benefits, apart from an increase in employee retention and improved motivation – there is less absenteeism which all contributes to a better bottom line and therefore bigger budgets to get your team out of the office.
Craig Scott, CEO of Langebaan Country Estate, a lifestyle estate and conference venue up the West Coast, says, “We have definitely seen an upsurge in conference bookings, particularly for destinations that offer more than just a room. Conference-goers are wanting to be able to work while they stay and play, and venues are having to up their game in terms of their offering.”
Conferences may be expensive – from venue hire, to the plane ticket, car hire, meals and the ever-burgeoning bar tab, never mind the time away from the office where you could be doing ‘work’; however, conferences provide a unique opportunity to learn, engage, uplift and have some fun in a single package, allowing staff to grow and challenge themselves. And, if you are the boss man or woman, allowing your employees to get out of the office, gain confidence in their abilities and bring new ideas back into the business, is quite simply an investment for the company.
Scott adds, “Many venues offer great specials and packages to accommodate any pocket, so even if you can’t swing an overseas or long-distance trip, there are great spots on your doorstep that give you that out-of-town feel.”
So, why bother with the time and expense of an out-of-town, in-person conference or workshop? Well, here’s why:
- No distractions
- A sense of camaraderie
- Greater focus and commitment to the project at hand
- Buy-in from the team
- Connection with your peers
- An ideas incubator
- Learning in a new space
- Investing in yourself
- Having fun
Get out of town!
A case for the out-of-town conference
Remember the days when going away on conference, whether it was an hour out of town or an international or domestic flight to a cool destination, when budgets were bold and bolstered and you could even take your other half, was ever popular? Not anymore! The past few years have seen in-house conferences or those close-to-home getaways becoming the norm and with bottom-lines being paramount, groups got smaller and time spent out of the office less and less.
But with business slowly gathering momentum and a resurgence in the economy the conference landscape is once again changing and the out-of-town conference is gaining popularity for businesses large and small. Why? Well, it has enormous benefits, apart from an increase in employee retention and improved motivation – there is less absenteeism which all contributes to a better bottom line and therefore bigger budgets to get your team out of the office.
Craig Scott, CEO of Langebaan Country Estate, a lifestyle estate and conference venue up the West Coast, says, “We have definitely seen an upsurge in conference bookings, particularly for destinations that offer more than just a room. Conference-goers are wanting to be able to work while they stay and play, and venues are having to up their game in terms of their offering.”
Conferences may be expensive – from venue hire, to the plane ticket, car hire, meals and the ever-burgeoning bar tab, never mind the time away from the office where you could be doing ‘work’; however, conferences provide a unique opportunity to learn, engage, uplift and have some fun in a single package, allowing staff to grow and challenge themselves. And, if you are the boss man or woman, allowing your employees to get out of the office, gain confidence in their abilities and bring new ideas back into the business, is quite simply an investment for the company.
Scott adds, “Many venues offer great specials and packages to accommodate any pocket, so even if you can’t swing an overseas or long-distance trip, there are great spots on your doorstep that give you that out-of-town feel.”
So, why bother with the time and expense of an out-of-town, in-person conference or workshop? Well, here’s why:
No distractions
A sense of camaraderie
Greater focus and commitment to the project at hand
Buy-in from the team
Connection with your peers
An ideas incubator
Learning in a new space
Investing in yourself
Having fun
Get outta here!
Retirement - spend your time doing the things you love but have never had the time to do before
Retirement - spend your time doing the things you love but have never had the time to do before
Retirement signals the beginning of a new lifestyle - a new adventure, but before you throw caution to the wind there are some important factors to consider, like whether you are financially ready to pursue the life that you envision for yourself, are you adequately insured, do you want to downsize or in fact move at all, is health an issue or are you just planning to spend more time in your garden?
Whether you're retiring tomorrow or in 10 years, it's time to get on the right track for a happy retirement. If you’re close to retiring or even thinking about it, take some time out to ponder how your days will look once your working life is over.
A place to call home
Throughout your entire life, where you live has a big impact on your lifestyle, and this is especially true of your retirement years. Many retirees choose to downsize their homes to save on costs, or a popular option these days is to move to a retirement village – the important thing is to find a good fit.
Craig Scott, CEO of Langebaan Country Estate and developer of The Village at Langebaan Country Estate, says that there are many lifestyle benefits for over 55s who opt to move into retirement villages as the homes and facilities have been designed with retirees in mind and are located within thriving communities of like-minded people.
Rands and sense
Successful financial planning for retirement can be tricky, as it’s hard to know how much you’ll need to enjoy the lifestyle you want. It’s a good idea to speak to a financial advisor early on, as they can guide you and help put together a plan of action.
Scott adds, “More and more over 55s are choosing to downsize and live in a retirement community, as this leaves less money tied up in the home, and more available to enjoy life now.” He cautions that one should be sure to check contracts carefully, to ask questions and be well-informed.
Social yokel
Without the social interactions that work brings to your life, retirement can be lonely. Make the effort to connect with others and have fun – don’t alienate yourself or be resistant to change.
Spend time with family, make new friends or take up a new sport. Retirement is a great time to get social and enjoy yourself. Whether it’s through organised activities, or more casual gatherings, there are umpteen ways to enjoy time with your contemporaries.
One of the biggest benefits of living in a retirement community is that you can become part of a thriving social scene, or, when you feel like it, just walk the dog, put your feet up or potter in the garden.
Well, well, well
As you get older, you need to watch your health more than ever. Having an active lifestyle contributes to good health, so be sure to include some form of exercise in your daily routine. Being close to doctors and medical facilities should be a key consideration when choosing the location of your retirement home.
Plot and plan
As you would plan a holiday, it is even more important that you plan for your retirement – the longest vacation of your life - with an open mind and heart. “Retirement planning is not something you can put off until it happens,” cautions Scott.
Life will be very different, but if you put yourself in the right place, with the right people, surrounded with the right things, you will be able to relax and enjoy life as a retiree for many happy years to come, so you can spend your time doing the things you love but have never had the time to do before. -
Langebaan Country Estate Weskus Marathon
Langebaan Country Estate Weskus Marathon
The Langebaan Country Estate Weskus Marathon, which will be held this year on Sunday 21 April, has become one of those ‘not to be missed’ events on any runner’s calendar. 2018 will host the 17th edition of the event, hosted and sponsored by Langebaan Country Estate.
There is a race for everyone - 42.2km, 21.1km & 10km, plus a 5km Fun Run for those who don’t want to have FOMO – you don’t have to be a pro to soak up a bit of the West Coast in your takkies.
Marathon runners will be bussed from Langebaan Country Estate to the West Coast National Park for the start of the race and the last bus leaves at 06:00. The gun will go off at 07:15 for the marathon and half marathon, the 10km starts at 07:30 and the fun run at 08:15.
When you cross the finish line at Langebaan Country Estate you can look forward to food stalls, a market and cool tunes mixed by our media partner, HeartFM.
Entries close on 16 April.
Visit www.weskusmarathon.co.za to enter today.
