Texas Roadhouse Roadtrip in San Francisco

While companies are canceling their out-of-town meetings, Texas Roadhouse was in San Francisco last week for five days of fun! G.J. Hart, CEO of Texas Roadhouse, says it's crucial to business--to reward employees, get some work down, and have a good time together. TeamBuilding Unlimited/Murder on the Menu didn't participate in the event (sadly), but it was great to learn that our fellow entertainers, event planners, caterers, and hotels were able to participate. Go here for the video.

Face to face meetings, incentives and special events are critical to good business.

Don't Blame the Business Trip

Ben Stein in the NYT on 3/21/09 had a great article. Basically, it was don't blame the business trip. Business travel is not the enemy. Business meetings: not the enemy. Yes, it's hard to see government money being given to entertain bailed-out companies in a lavish way, but the problem is that that animosity toward ill-advised travel has led to fear in business, and business people have been cancelling meetings left and right to forestall criticism.

Business meetings are not a waste of time. They're often necessary. It's important to have Face to Face meetings, especially now as so many companies are setting new goals, having reorgs and more. Read the entire article. Meetings cannot be replaced by mass emails and teleconferences. Now's the time to get together and meet!

TeamBuilding Unlimited can help you facilitate your meeting or add team building to your meeting. We will incorporate your goals and objectives, agenda, jargon and buzzwords and specific participants, thus reinforcing the purpose of your meeting.

Perfect Venues: Thomas Fogarty Winery

Murder on the Menu/TeamBuilding Unlimited always loves working at wineries. Since our home base is the San Francisco Bay Area, we're lucky because we are close to several different wine growing districts. Over the years, I think we've worked at more than 350 wineries. Wineries make perfect settings for all kinds of team building events and entertainment from Wacky Games to Scavenger Quests to Murder Mystery dinners.

One of my favorite winery venues is Thomas Fogarty Winery located in beautiful Woodside, south of San Francisco. On Sunday I had the opportunity to actually attend a wedding there rather than work the event. Very interesting to see the 'other' side of an event. Thomas Fogarty Winery, with stunning views from San Francisco to San Jose, is one of the Peninsula’s premiere wedding and special event locations. Known for its award winning wines, Thomas Fogarty Winery is a breathtaking redwood and stone facility with three separate levels that "flow" down the mountainside. This warm and inviting facility is a great place to escape for that company offsite or perfect wedding, anniversary or special event. There are several different event/meeting spaces, and at the wedding I attended, the dinner was held in the Pavillion, a huge covered deck area suspended over the vineyard, and later we went into Hill House for dancing. These spaces were perfect for the wedding, but there is a conference room and several other spaces for meetings, including the intimate Redwood Room with its stained glass windows and redwood walls.

Thomas Fogarty also has award winning wines, so if you find yourself out and about on a Sunday afternoon, you can always stop by for a tasting.

Murder on the Menu/TeamBuilding Unlimited has been working at Thomas Fogarty since the mid-80s. We've done mysteries, Scavenger Quests, Chocolate Tastings, Wacky Games and lots of other customized interactive teambuilding and entertainment there. The staff is great, the vendor list diverse, and the ambiance terrific.

Thinking about a holiday party on the San Francisco Bay Area Peninsula? You might want to consider Thomas Fogarty Winery.