Did you know that 85% of business professionals believe face-to-face meetings build stronger relationships compared to virtual interactions?
Yet, so much of today’s professional development happens in impersonal settings—crowded conference halls, back-to-back Zoom calls, or lecture-style seminars.
An educational retreat changes the game, offering a transformative experience where learning is immersive, networking is organic, and ideas flow freely.
At Wingspread Retreat & Conference Center, we design these retreats to foster genuine connection and innovation in a way that traditional environments can’t.
Simply stated, our educational retreats go beyond standard conferences or seminars. They create intentional spaces where ideas flourish, relationships deepen, and professional growth accelerates.
Heather Roose, Director of Sales at Wingspread, explains, “Not only do you get continuing education credits, but it's networking. You get that one-on-one with a facilitator or teacher that you wouldn't normally get in a classroom. It’s a more comfortable, casual setting—where ideas flow more freely.”
A high-impact educational retreat doesn’t happen by chance. It requires careful planning and the right components to maximize engagement.
Heather says the key to success is the facilitator:
“The most important part of an education retreat is the facilitator. You need someone who can lead strongly, keep the focus, and also engage participants. If you have that person who can both lead and follow, the experience becomes much more impactful.”
At its core, an educational retreat isn’t just about learning—it’s about connection. As Heather explains:
“They get that one-on-one time with a facilitator, but they also foster friendships. You sit around, you tell stories, you network, and you learn from each other. And there’s always going to be that person you click with—someone you might not have met otherwise—who becomes a lasting connection, someone you can bounce ideas off of going forward.”
Beyond facilitation, a well-rounded retreat includes three essential elements:
A recent National Association of Higher Education Systems retreat at Wingspread showcased the power of this approach. The event brought together professionals from 45 states, providing a rare opportunity for in-person collaboration.
“These people don’t get to see each other very often,” Heather points out. “They came together, rested a little, had some adventure, earned their continuing education credits, and shared insights on what’s happening in their different states. It was a really great group.”
With its serene surroundings, expert facilitation, and thoughtful programming, Wingspread fosters genuine dialogue and transformative learning experiences. Whether planning an executive leadership event, professional development summit, or industry-specific education retreat, Wingspread offers an unparalleled setting to inspire growth.
“You need to be in a place where people feel like they can relax,” Heather says. “They can take time away from their busy home lives, absorb the information, but also have some adventure… so people remember.”
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