Employee retention isn’t just about salaries and benefits.
It’s about how people feel when they show up every day. Do they feel valued … or replaceable?
Cori Coffman, Sales Manager here at Stonewall Resort, says, “Celebrations show employees that they’re appreciated beyond day-to-day work.”
And that “beyond” is where the magic happens.
Recognition isn’t a line item. It’s an experience. And when companies get it right, retention stops being a struggle and starts being a side effect.
Let’s talk about why.
Employee Celebration Ideas for Retention
When ‘Thank’ Feels Like an Afterthought
Most organizations say they appreciate their people.
Fewer actually prove it.
A pizza party in the breakroom might check a box, but it won’t build loyalty. Employees don’t stay because they got a slice of pepperoni. They stay because they feel connected—to the company and to each other.
Cori explains it this way: experiences like “golf tournaments, spa days and fun team building exercises with their fellow coworkers really help create memories that last and create a bond between employees.”
That bond is the difference between “I work here” and “This is my team.”
When employees build relationships outside their job descriptions, morale shifts. Walls come down. Departments stop operating like silos. People who laugh together tend to work better together. And that cohesion quietly strengthens loyalty.
Without that connection, companies face a revolving door. With it, they build culture.
Trade the Boardroom for the Lake
A change of scenery changes everything.
Stonewall offers “anything from lake activities to our golf course, spa experiences, our indoor outdoor heated swimming pool… pickleball and tennis courts… and tons of hiking and biking trails,” Cori shares.
Translation: this isn’t a stiff banquet hall with a podium and a PowerPoint.
It’s kayaking in the morning. A round of golf in the afternoon. A spa appointment that says, “We see how hard you work.” It’s employees bringing their families and realizing their company values them as whole people, not just productivity machines.
Research backs this up. Experiential rewards trigger stronger emotional responses than transactional ones. A bonus check is appreciated. A shared memory sticks. When celebrations feel like a “mini vacation rather than just a work obligation,” as Cori puts it, employees don’t mentally clock out—they lean in.
And when families are included, loyalty compounds. Now appreciation extends beyond the employee to the people who support them at home.
That’s powerful.
Add Competition, Stir in Recognition
Here’s where things get interesting.
“I definitely recommend adding some competition activities,” Cori says. Friendly rivalry does something remarkable—it loosens everyone up. It “gives your employees and their families the opportunity to collaborate and laugh together.”
Think culinary competitions. Murder mystery events. Yard games. Even a pig roast that turns dinner into an event.
One recent group kicked off with a reception where guests could “come and go as they please and just hang out together.” There was live music. No stiff agenda. No forced networking. “You could definitely tell that they were enjoying themselves and they did not feel obligated to be here or at work,” Cori recalls.
That sentence matters.
Not obligated.
The following evening, they upgraded dinner to a pig roast—“that kind of made it above and beyond and really showed the employees that they were appreciated.” Add bounce houses for the kids, yard games for adults, and pool time for everyone, and suddenly, appreciation feels tangible.
Cori also recommends weaving in recognition moments during meals. Not a marathon awards ceremony. Just natural, meaningful acknowledgment. Gratitude lands differently when it’s spoken in a relaxed, joyful environment.
And don’t overschedule. “Give your employees and their families some free time to just enjoy the resort and connect with each other,” she advises. Structured fun is great. Unstructured connection is where relationships deepen.
Why This Year Especially Matters
Cori notes that celebrations are “especially important this year.” She’s right.
Workplaces have changed.
Expectations have shifted.
Employees want meaning, flexibility, and proof that leadership sees them.
Culture is no longer a poster on the wall; it’s something people experience.
When companies invest in real celebrations, they send a clear message: You matter here.
That message translates into:
- Higher morale
- Stronger cross-team relationships
- Increased loyalty
- Lower turnover
And yes, better business results.
Celebration isn’t fluff. It’s a strategy.
The Bottom Line: Loyalty Is Built Around the Fire Pit
Employee retention doesn’t hinge on a single grand gesture. It grows from consistent, authentic appreciation.
At Stonewall Resort, that appreciation looks like live music by the fire pit, a lakeside adventure, a pig roast under the stars, and families laughing together. It looks like competition, collaboration, and recognition wrapped into one memorable experience.
When employees leave a celebration feeling refreshed instead of drained, connected instead of obligated, appreciated instead of overlooked—that’s when loyalty takes root.
Retention, it turns out, pairs nicely with pickleball.
Curious how the team at Stonewall can help create an unforgettable experience? Reach out to us here >>