08/19/2026
Have you ever looked at photos from a corporate event and thought, “Is this a business meeting or a boondoggle?”
Beautiful resort. Great food. Golf. Entertainment. Maybe a cocktail or two. I understand why people ask the question. But fun doesn't automatically mean frivolous.
Relationships are built over dinner. Important conversations happen between sessions. Teams connect when they have time away from their normal routines. And yes, people can accomplish serious business objectives and still enjoy themselves.
The real question isn't whether people had fun. It's whether the event had a purpose and delivered on it.
If you can't explain why everyone needed to be there, you may have a boondoggle on your hands.
But if the experience strengthened relationships, moved the business forward, recognized great work, or helped people make better decisions? I'd call that an investment.
So, what do you think? Business investment or boondoggle?