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It’s not every day a new client asks for their very first Inntel event to involve racing dragon boats on the River Thames — but we were all in from the moment they said it. This client, a leading electricity distribution network operator, wanted to bring more than 400 employees together from across the country for a day of connection and team building.
Our mission? Pair a productive morning conference with an afternoon on the river with a healthy dose of friendly competition — and make it all happen in just eight weeks. We immediately set about creating a truly memorable event that would strengthen communication, boost engagement, and offer delegates a shared experience outside their comfort zone.
The client’s vision was clear: a high-energy teambuilding day in London, starting with a business-focused morning of companywide updates and year-end reviews, followed by dragon boat racing on the Thames.
The aim was to strengthen cross-departmental relationships, enhance engagement, and give employees an experience they’d talk about long after the day was over. We were ready to make it happen.
The real puzzle was finding a central London conference venue that worked perfectly with the dragon boat location at Surrey Docks Watersports Centre. It had to be close enough for a seamless transition, while still offering the space, flexibility, and facilities for a big morning conference.
With just eight weeks to deliver within budget, and the need to keep the energy of the day flowing with delegates’ time maximised, the venue search area was tight. Our experienced Events Team sprang into action to find the ideal match.
The initial shortlist included well known venues such as ExCeL London, and the InterContinental London – The O2. Both excellent choices, but unavailable on the dates needed.
We also explored creative alternatives, including dry-hire warehouse spaces, but they didn’t meet budget requirements once the costs of hiring furniture, AV, and catering were factored in.
The Events Team quickly whittled it down to three options from which the clients could pick. The winning choice? Indigo in the O2 – selected for its prime location, and impressive, flexible event space.
Instead of a conventional coach or tube transfer between the event locations, we opted for something faster, more exciting, and entirely on brand for the day: hiring Uber Boats by Thames Clippers. In just 15 minutes, delegates were transported along the Thames from the O2 to Surrey Docks for the afternoon’s activity. The scenic journey proved the ideal connection between the formal morning conference setting and the lighthearted team-building session.
On the day, Inntel’s Strategic Meetings Consultant, Gill Newman, Head of Meetings and Events, Katy Johnson, and the client’s Account Manager, Paul Mayo, were all onsite to ensure everything ran seamlessly.
Delegates enjoyed an alfresco barbecue lunch by the riverside before the dragon boat racing began. The sun was shining and the sky was blue, we couldn’t have asked for better weather for the event!
Individuals had volunteered to take part in the races and the teams were pre-planned to ensure a smooth transition on the day. Different departments competed against each other, with department heads captaining the boats. This encouraged plenty of healthy competition, strengthening team bonds.
Most delegates were first timers to dragon boat racing, and the shared challenge quickly created a sense of camaraderie. This is one of the reasons why dragon boat racing is such an effective team building activity – individuals must work together for the best results.
Professional coaches delivered safety and technique briefings before the races, while those who preferred to stay on dry land enjoyed giant Jenga, Connect 4, and other ice-breaker games.
By the end of the day, delegates left with stronger connections, memorable stories, and a renewed sense of team unity — exactly what the client had envisioned.
“Inntel provided an excellent service – they were helpful, proactive and professional, always keeping everything on track. We are very much looking forward to working with the team on future events.”