Fun Ways to Start a Meeting: Kicking Off the New Year Right

Business meetings can get a bad reputation for being long and boring, but they don’t have to be. With the right planning, you can turn your next team meeting into a fun and productive meeting that sparks creativity and builds meaningful connections. Whether in-person or remote meeting, kickoff meetings are a great way to inspire teamwork and set the tone for success.
What Is a Kickoff Meeting? 

A kickoff meeting is the first team gathering where you align goals, set expectations, and create a shared vision for the upcoming year. These meetings are commonly held at the start of a new initiative, project, or fiscal year, making them a key part of team planning and alignment.

For businesses, kickoff meetings are often used to bring sales teams together. They focus on building strategies for success, celebrating past achievements, and encouraging excitement for future goals.

Whether you’re hosting a small group or larger team meeting, kickoff meetings provide an opportunity to share updates, discuss strategies, and motivate people to work towards a common goal.

Team Meeting Tips for Starting the New Year

Kickoff staff meetings are a great way to bring team members together, share ideas, and set the stage for a productive year. Here are some tips to ensure your next meeting inspires collaboration, creative thinking, and active participation:

1. Reflect on the Past Year 

Encourage meeting attendees to reflect on achievements and identify areas for improvement. Discuss challenges from the previous year and brainstorm creative solutions for future success. Having an open-ended agenda can help encourage free-flowing discussion in which all team members can feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences. 

2. Start with a Fun Icebreaker or Team-Building Activity

Kick things off with a fun icebreaker or team-building game. Whether it’s an icebreaker question, a scavenger hunt, or a problem-solving exercise for smaller groups, these activities help meeting participants step out of their comfort zones and build a deeper connection with others.

For remote workers and teams, a virtual meeting platform can make the activity equally engaging.

3. Recognize High Performers 

Take a moment to recognize team members who went above and beyond over the past year. Highlighting their contributions boosts morale and motivates others to strive for excellence.

Celebrate these high performers with awards or thoughtful gestures like gift cards, company swag, or personalized thank-you notes. Recognition fosters a deeper connection between staff members and encourages continued success.

4. Identify Opportunities for Improvement 

Every team has room to grow. Use the kickoff meeting to identify challenges that were encountered in the past year and work together to brainstorm solutions. Whether it’s improving communication, refining workflows, or addressing skill gaps, active problem-solving sessions create a sense of ownership among team members.

This is also a great time to gather creative ideas on how to tackle potential roadblocks in upcoming projects.

5. Set Clear Goals 

Goal setting is a common component of a successful kickoff meeting. Work as a team to define actionable goals that align with your organization’s objectives. Clearly outline each team member’s role, responsibilities, and milestones to create a shared vision. Encourage active participation by breaking goals into smaller steps and discussing how the team will measure success throughout the year.

Everyone at the in-person or virtual meeting should be committed to meeting these goals. Discuss what steps will need to be taken to achieve the goals and how it will feel once these accomplishments are met.

Creative Ideas to Make Your Kickoff Meeting Memorable 

A kickoff meeting is more than just another conference room event. It’s an opportunity to engage your team, celebrate big wins, and inspire fresh ideas. To make your meeting truly memorable, incorporate some of these fun activities:

1. Awards: Start your meeting on a positive note by recognizing top performers with awards. Awards are a great way to motivate team members and celebrate their hard work. Recognizing individual and team achievements fosters a deeper connection among staff members
2. Plan Breakout Sessions: Breakout sessions are a great way to help smaller groups focus on specific skills, strategies, or topics. Use breakout rooms to introduce new processes, brainstorm creative ideas, or tackle challenges. These sessions are especially helpful in hybrid or virtual meetings, where smaller groups can use tools for collaboration.
3. Newlywed Game: Add some laughter to your kickoff meeting with a fun activity. Pair up team members and challenge them to see how well they know each other. This activity helps team members step out of their comfort zone and build a relaxed atmosphere.
4. Scavenger Hunt: A scavenger hunt can be a fun way to foster collaboration and friendly competition among team members. The items on the list of things to find can be specific, such as a stapler, or can be more open-ended, like “something red.” Ask the teams to take photos of the items they find and the first team to find all of the items and make it back to a designated “finish line” wins. 
5. Motivational Speaker: Inspire your team by bringing in a guest speaker to share their expertise or a motivational story. A great speaker can energize your team, encourage creative thinking, and set a positive tone for the year ahead.  
6. Happy Hour: Happy hour can be a great way to bring small teams together to socialize, drink, and build relationships. Work happy hour is usually scheduled for a Friday evening and is essentially a way to get employees to mingle and unwind. 

Find the Perfect Space for Your Next Kickoff Meeting

Choosing the right space for your kickoff meeting can make all the difference. At Roam, we understand the importance of creating a professional yet inspiring environment that promotes collaboration and creativity. With locations across Atlanta and Dallas, Roam offers flexible, all-inclusive meeting spaces that meet the unique needs of your team.

We also provide coworking spaces and private offices for those looking to work, collaborate, or prepare for their next big event. From hosting engaging team-building activities to celebrating achievements in a larger conference room, Roam ensures every detail is taken care of, so you can focus on what matters most – your team’s success.

Schedule a Tour or Book Your Space Today

Ready to plan your next kickoff meeting? Discover why Roam is the go-to destination for meeting spaces in Atlanta and Dallas. Schedule a tour today to explore our offerings or book your meeting space now and start the year off right!