An Incentive in the Land of Legends
In a survey of international event planners last year, Canada was voted as the number one choice for incentive trips. Canada is bustling with unique and one-of-a-kind incentive locales for an immersive corporate retreat of any size and nature. Choosing a destination in this vast land can, therefore, be challenging.
So, when one of our clients asked for an “off-the-beaten path” destination in Canada, we knew where to direct them—Newfoundland. Newfoundland is a dream canvas for a corporate group: untamed coastlines, soulful culture, and that unmistakable East Coast warmth.
Possibly the most rugged province of Canada, Newfoundland isn’t just a destination—it’s a feeling. Wild, welcoming, and wonderfully off‑the‑beaten‑track, it’s the perfect backdrop for corporate groups looking to reconnect, recharge, and experience something together.
Newfoundland isn’t your typical corporate getaway — and that’s exactly why it worked for this adventure-seeking group of top performers. Raw coastline. Big skies. Story-rich culture. A pace that invites people to breathe again. For teams craving connection and creativity, this island delivers the kind of reset no conference room ever could.
Newfoundland in Three Days: The Corporate Retreat That Actually Feels Like a Retreat
Here’s the curated three-day itinerary that we designed for this group to balance exploration, culture, and meaningful team moments. The goal was to build a program that felt elevated and experiential—something that blended team bonding, local flavour, and a sense of discovery.
DAY ONE—ST. JOHN’S: COLOUR, CHARACTER & A SHOT OF SALTY AIR
Morning: Touchdown in the Oldest City in North America. St. John’s greets you with its trademark palette of candy-coloured row houses and Atlantic breeze. The group checked into the Delta hotel in downtown St. John’s and kicked things off with a welcome spread of local flavours—namely, smoked salmon, toutons, and bakeapple jam.
Afternoon: Wander, Listen, Absorb. A guided stroll through Jellybean Row and the harbourfront set the tone. This city wears its history proudly, and its storytellers? Unmatched. Our local guide brought the place to life with humour, grit, and that unmistakable Newfoundland charm.
Evening: Signal Hill, Served Cinematic. We headed up to Signal Hill for sweeping ocean views and a moment of collective awe. Then the group got settled for dinner at one of St. John’s culinary standouts — Mallard Cottage—where local ingredients shine, and the vibe is effortlessly cool.
DAY TWO—WILDLIFE, WILD COASTS & A PROPER KITCHEN PARTY
Morning: Boats, Birds, Whales—Oh My. The private boat tour out of Bay Bulls is the kind of experience that bonded the group instantly. Some were even lucky to spot an iceberg in the distance, drifting like a floating sculpture.
Afternoon: A Picnic They’ll Talk About for Years. We drove to Ferryland for the iconic Lighthouse Picnic—gourmet baskets, cliffside views, and the Atlantic stretching endlessly ahead. It was slow, scenic, and exactly the kind of pause this corporate group rarely got.
Evening: The Kitchen Party—A Newfoundland Rite of Passage. Back in St. John’s, the night came alive with a private kitchen party: Live music, local storytellers, and the unforgettable “screech‑in” ceremony. It was joyful, a little rowdy, and absolutely authentic.
DAY THREE — EDGE-OF-THE-WORLD VIEWS & CREATIVE RECHARGE
Morning: Cape Spear, Where the Continent Begins. The participants got to stand at the easternmost point in North America and let the Atlantic roar wake up their senses. It was a powerful spot for reflection, team photos, as well as a guided mindfulness moment.
Afternoon: Optional Creative Adventure. Newfoundland’s artistic soul runs deep. The group was divided into those who opted to dive into a hands-on workshop with local makers—music, craft, storytelling—or those who chose a culinary session exploring traditional Newfoundland flavours with a modern twist.
Evening: A Farewell with Heart. The things got wrapped up with a harbour-view dinner, a short reflection ritual, followed by an award ceremony. It turned out to be the perfect way to close a retreat that was equal parts energizing and grounding.
It is very hard to capture the immersive and exciting nature of an incentive program in Newfoundland. There can be so many variations depending on the makeup of the group and the goals that their company sets for an incentive trip. Let the professionals at DMC Canada design a custom-tailored program for your group of winners to inspire and raise the needle on your ROI requirements.