Make the Meeting Worth Leaving the Office: The Agenda: Leadership offsites at Manees House in 2027
Make the Meeting Worth Leaving the Office
You've cleared the calendar. You've booked the room. Everyone on your leadership team has set aside a full day.
Now picture how it usually goes: a rented conference room, a long table, a projector humming in the corner, and a plan to finally talk about the big stuff. By mid-morning, someone is answering email. By lunch, the real conversation still hasn't started.
Leaving the office only matters if the day is built to use it.
That's what this blog is for. Below you'll find a sample agenda for a smaller leadership group, with a seated lunch and time set aside for relationship-building, plus a look at the meeting setup that supports it. If you're searching for a leadership offsite venue in North Little Rock for 2027, The E.O. Manees House and The Sanctuary at Argenta are a good place to start.
A sample agenda for a leadership offsite at The E.O. Manees House in 2027
Most leadership offsites don't fall flat because of the people. They fall flat because the day was a conference room with a different address.
If you're looking for a leadership offsite venue in North Little Rock for 2027, start with the agenda. When you know how the day should flow, it's much easier to see what you need from a room.
The E.O. Manees House sits in North Little Rock's historic Argenta Arts District, and it works well for smaller leadership teams that want focus, good conversation, and a seated meal in a setting that doesn't feel like the office. Here's a sample day to build from.
Just across the street,
The Sanctuary at Argenta is our sister venue. It hosts corporate meetings too, and it has room for a larger group than the house, so if your leadership team is bigger, you have options without leaving Argenta
A sample agenda for a smaller leadership group
This example is for a team of roughly 30-40 people meeting on a weekday in February 2027. It's a starting point, so adjust the timing to your goals.
9:00 AM: Arrival and coffee. Give people time to settle in, grab coffee, and talk before the first session. This is the part of the day nobody schedules, and everybody remembers.
9:30 AM: Opening session. Set the goals for the day and the decisions you need to leave with.
10:00 AM: Strategy working session. This is your longest block of focused time, so keep it free of interruptions.
11:30 AM: Break and reset. A real break helps the afternoon go better.
12:00 PM: Seated lunch. Sit down together at tables instead of eating over laptops. Seated lunch is where the relationship-building happens naturally.
1:15 PM: Relationship-building time. Plan something simple, like small-group conversations or a guided question at each table. The goal is to give leaders time to connect without a screen between them.
2:00 PM: Priorities and next steps. Come back together, name owners and deadlines, and decide what happens in the first 30 days.
3:00 PM: Wrap-up. Close on time so the day ends on a high note.
What the meeting setup looks like
A good agenda only works if the room supports it. Before you book, ask to see the exact setup for your day.
AV, confirmed in advance
The E.O. Manees House has a 72-inch TV on a stand for video and presentation needs. The Sanctuary at Argenta has a large 14.5-foot projector screen with AV for presentations.
Tell our team what your sessions require, such as a screen for presentations or audio for remote participants, and get it confirmed in writing. For this sample day, here's what we'd confirm: Screen/display, audio, and connection options.
Tables and chairs, confirmed for each part of the day
A working session and a seated lunch need different arrangements, but for this sample agenda, we’d set the room with banquet-style seating for 30-40 for the working session, with chairs in a half circle around the table to optimize viewing for the presentation. For the seated lunch, since the room is already set in banquet style, just adjust seats as needed for lunch!
Ask whether the room changes over during your break, who handles it, and whether it affects
Have a bigger group? Consider The Sanctuary at Argenta
The sample agenda above is built for a smaller group at E.O. Manees House. If you're bringing in regional managers, extended leadership, or a larger team, The Sanctuary at Argenta is worth a look. This restored church setting sits across the street from the house, hosts corporate meetings, and accommodates up to 250 guests. Confirm the capacity of your specific layout, especially if you want tables for a seated lunch.
The agenda works the same way in either place: a focused working session, a seated lunch, relationship-building time, and a clear wrap-up. What changes is the room, so ask our team how the setup differs for your group size. For this version of the day, we'd confirm: AV for a larger group, table and chair layout for the working session and seated lunch, and any room change in between.
Some teams may also want to explore using both venues in one day. That depends on availability and your layout, so bring it up when you request your quote!
Why February works for an offsite
Early in the year is a natural time to reset priorities. A February offsite can help your team set goals for the year ahead, and an indoor event keeps the weather from driving your plans. Dates fill up, so it's smart to start the conversation early. Ask about backup arrangements for arrival, parking, and guest comfort in colder weather.
Questions to ask before you book your offsite
The draft plan for your day should answer these questions:
- Is the AV equipment you need confirmed, and who is available to help on the day?
- What is the table and chair setup for your working session and your lunch?
- Who handles setup, breakdown, and any room change?
- What rental hours are included for arrival, setup, and cleanup?
- What catering requirements apply for a seated lunch?
- What parking and accessible routes are available?
Bring your preferred date, group size, and a draft agenda to your tour. Those three things help our team show you the right layout and prepare an accurate quote.
Ready to plan your 2027 leadership offsite?
Share your date, group size, and agenda, and we'll help you picture the day.
Request a quote for your February 2027 offsite at E.O. Manees House or The Sanctuary at Argenta, and we'll put together a proposal based on your specific needs.
What if our leadership group is larger?
The Sanctuary at Argenta hosts corporate meetings and accommodates up to 250 guests, so it's a good option for larger groups. Confirm the capacity of your chosen layout, especially if you're planning a seated lunch, and share your group size when you request a quote.
Can we have an outdoor ceremony and an indoor reception?
Ask about courtyard ceremony options at The Sanctuary at Argenta and the indoor and outdoor layouts available at E.O. Manees House. The right combination depends on the specific space and your guest count; confirm the seated capacity of each area during your tour.
Can we have a seated lunch during our offsite?
Yes, many teams build a seated lunch into the day. Ask our team about catering requirements and the table setup for your group size, and confirm whether the room changes over between your working session and lunch.
How do I get pricing for my offsite?
Request a quote with your preferred date, group size, and a rough agenda. We'll put together a proposal based on your specific needs rather than a set package price.
Corporate Events in North Little Rock Don’t Fail Because of Content — They Fail Because of the Room.
