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10 common mistakes that sabotage a corporate seminar

Written by Julia
May 23. 2025
10 common mistakes that sabotage a corporate seminar

Company seminar: common pitfalls

It's essential for companies to organize seminars that satisfy all their teams. It can sometimes be difficult to meet everyone's expectations. Here are 10 common mistakes to avoid and how to remedy them, to help you organize the most successful seminar possible.

1. Choose an impersonal, standardized location

The place you choose is crucial, as it will influenceyour team's state of mind. It's essential to choose a place that suits you. Seminars often last several days. For greater convenience and cost-effectiveness, choose a venue that offers a seminar room,accommodation and catering. To find out more about seminar budgets, click below

Here are our budget tips

What you should never do at a company seminar:

  • Choosing a seminar room far from the venue
  • A classic hotel without charm
  • Being too close to the company and not creating a break in daily life

Slow Village offers :

  • A breathtaking natural setting
  • All-inclusive service with atypical accommodation, sustainable catering and large seminar space
  • Soothing decor, friendly spaces and inspiring surroundings

2. Neglecting accessibility and location

When planning a trip, it's crucial to take time and ease of access into account.

What to avoid:

  • Choose a location with poor public transport links
  • Opt for a city center, which generates stress and bustle
  • Choose a location with no parking

Slow Village is here to help you:

  • Exotic destinations in the heart of nature
  • A large parking lot, accessible by coach and free of charge
  • Easy access to public transport and logistical support

3. Organizing activities unsuited to a seminar

During seminars, team-building activities are often offered in the afternoon. It's important to choose the right type of activity. Poorly chosen, they can quickly be perceived as a constraint, or even a hindrance to a real break.

What to avoid:

  • Proposing extreme activities without taking into account the age and tastes of participants
  • Organize impersonal activities without taking advantage of the location
  • Take an activity too far, and you risk losing interest

At Slow Village, we offer :

  • Partners offering fun activities on our sites
  • Vast open spaces, multi-sports fields, water features, everything you need to have fun and recharge your batteries.
  • Personalized support to help you organize your activities

4. Forget the environmental impact

Seminars generate a significant ecological footprint. It's crucial to take this into account and avoid wasting paper or food. To discover the best practices for an eco-responsible seminarSlow Village is certified European Ecolabel and implements green solutions for your events. What's more, our accommodation is eco-designed and we have a strong CSR approach. A seminar in line with your commitments!

Choose a committed location

5. Overloading the program and neglecting social events

Don't forget the main objective of your seminar! It's important to leave time for your teams, so that the program is not too dense. This will keep your participants interested and engaged throughout the event.

What to avoid:

  • Planning too many activities and exhausting your teams
  • Focusing solely on work and neglecting social time

Slow Village offers alternatives such as :

  • Relax by the pool or on the terrace overlooking a lake (Biscarrosse)
  • The possibility of organizing informal evenings in the dining room for a convivial moment.

6. Not adapting the seminar to the company's values

To satisfy your teams and reflect your corporate image, it's essential to design a seminar that embodies your DNA. This seminar can also be an opportunity to strengthen employees' commitment to your company. Why not immerse them in your company's values? If you value the environment, minimalism and disconnection, then Slow Village is the place to be!

7. Misjudge capacity and equipment

Logistics are essential for a successful seminar. An unsuitable space can quickly compromise the comfort of your participants. That's why it's vital to anticipate the number of participants and check that the venue is properly equipped.

What to avoid:

  • Choosing an outdoor space without electrical outlets
  • Choose a venue without Wi-Fi or seminar equipment
  • Overlooking the size of the venue in relation to the number of participants

Slow Village offers alternatives such as :

  • Spaces adapted to the number of participants (up to 400 people)
  • High-quality audiovisual equipment and broadband connection

8. Neglecting catering quality

Quality catering is essential to keep participants energized and motivated. At Slow Village, we offer seasonal produce from local producers. Discover seafood in our coastal restaurants. You can also sample products typical of characterful regions. Everything is possible at Slow Village.

Discover the Slow Village that suits you best!

9. Move away from participants' individual needs

Each participant has different expectations: some want to focus on the company's objectives, while others want to relax. It's essential to organize a seminar that respects everyone's tastes.

What to avoid:

  • Impose your choices without taking the general opinion into account
  • No joint activities
  • Choose a place where there's nothing to do

Slow Village offers :

  • Partners ready to offer activities that appeal to everyone
  • Group activities in our facilities (multisports fields, beach volleyball, etc.)
  • Options for relaxing or challenging yourself

10. Do not collect feedback from participants

Not collecting feedback from participants can be a fatal mistake. It prevents you from knowing what needs to be improved for future occasions. Understanding what worked well and what didn't can help you move forward. Slow Village supports you in the post-seminar follow-up with tools and advice to maintain the momentum created during the event.

Why choose Slow Village?

Slow Village guarantees a successful seminar. Don't worry, we're with you every step of the way. Our aim? A relaxed, close-knit team and a peaceful working environment.

Discover our seminar rooms

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