Not golf, but golf-like.

August 11, 2009 2:08 AM

Please suggest informal, fun activities or settings to help a group of potential collaborators get better acquainted.

Recently I met a number of individuals I really like. We all work in the same field, and now I'd like to introduce them all to each other. I think they'd form all kinds of bonds as friends, mentors, and collaborators. But I'm not sure how to mingle them. What should we do?

The people are mostly extroverted, talkative, loud-laughing women, ages 25-45. There would be about 10 people. I would like a setting that allows for some large, full-group casual conversations, but one that also makes "splinter conversations" comfortable, too.

Some ideas I had:

A potluck dinner party - the kind where people sit on the floor & couches. This would be ideal, but my place isn't really suitable. I might ask someone else to host, so it's still an option, but I'd rather leave that as a last resort.

A restaurant - I've been to meals and drinks with some of these people, and they are LOUD, raucous talkers and laughers (it's awesome), which sometimes doesn't work so well in a restaurant setting. Any bar loud enough to camouflage the hilarity is also is too loud for real conversations, and because of the age range, it's a bit harder to find a place for everyone to feel comfortable. But I'm definitely open to suggestions for specific places where it's ok to be loud but you can still have a great conversation. (We're in Toronto).

Golf - I think this is what golf is for, in a business context. But we don't play golf, and we don't want to learn.

A picnic in a huge city park - this option is pretty good. Kind of a pain to get everyone together, but the atmosphere would be good.

Are there more ideas I'm not thinking of?
Thanks!

posted by pseudostrabismus to work & money (6 comments total)

Oh yeah, and probably this would be happening on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 2:10 AM on August 11

Rent out a DIY pottery painting studio for an afternoon so it's just the 10 of you. Some places (at least where I live) will let you bring in food and drinks.
posted by cocoagirl at 2:49 AM on August 11

Take them canoeing or kayaking...
posted by HuronBob at 3:24 AM on August 11

Could you rent out a back room type area in a restaurant where you could be noisy without disturbing the other patrons and get some privacy. A group of 10 may not be quite big enough for a whole back room but ask around.
Also, a picnic sounds like a great idea! I'm not sure how it would be harder to get everyone together for a picnic than for anything else.
posted by martinX's bellbottoms at 4:50 AM on August 11

Bowling--even if you don't know how. It's fun and a bit silly. Loud. Allows you all to be in the same space, possibly even play in teams to get to know one another better. A little competitive. Funny shoes are involved. What's not convivial about that? Alternatively, what about taking a cooking class together? Many restaurants and some private chefs offer cooking classes in their restaurants/catering companies. Classes are usually small, so 10 is perfect. There's a fun activity--cooking together. Lots of time to socialize. And then you all get to eat together. It's usually very affordable as well. Have fun!
posted by Cheeto at 5:04 AM on August 11

Work on a collaborative project!
posted by divabat at 5:19 AM on August 11 [1 favorite]