Yes, we're fans of C2 Montréal around here! Afer all, the business conference specializes in meetings in unusual environments—like 2018's "Transparent" lab, a mirrored room, where a moderator led a conversation about diversity and bias in the workplace. See more: 17 Ways C2 Montréal Got Attendees Out of Their Comfort ZonesPhoto: Jimmy Hamelin
It's clear that venues and event hosts alike are continuing to prioritize attendee engagement and well-being. Thus, types of experiential meeting space concepts like Sonesta Irvine's are becoming more and more the norm. And at BizBash, we're increasingly seeing meeting rooms that prioritize natural light, creativity-sparking design, stress-relief options, and more unique features that blend the lines between work and play.
After all, “when you infuse play into meetings, attendees are more likely to follow their curiosity, are more open to sharing, and the team is more willing to experiment," said positive play coach Jeff Harry in a recent interview with BizBash. “It's ironic that we state that we want staff to think outside of the box, and then we put them in a box building, in a box room, sitting around a box table—and then ask them to think outside of it."
In the spirit of thinking outside the box, we've rounded up some of our favorite examples of meetings and breakout rooms designed to spark inspiration and creativity. Scroll down to take a look...
![1. Take it outside.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/pinterest_cannes_2022_0009.644035bfc1f45.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Another fun outdoor option was part of an L.L. Bean activation in 2018, produced by Jack Morton Worldwide. The 'Be an Outsider at Work' campaign, in partnership with co-working space Industrious, created inviting pop-up workstations for people to integrate the outdoors into their workday. The functioning outdoor workplace came complete with conference rooms, electrical outlets, and ergonomic furniture. (There was also a pod of cycling desks.) Anyone could book workspaces online in advance—the group spaces filled quickly—but walk-ups could check in with event staff to see if there was room for them. 'We wanted to encourage different ways of working,' said Kathryn Pratt, then the L.L. Bean director of brand engagement. 'There are different types of meetings that you can be taking out here. Sometimes you are going to want power and some shade; other times, if it's a creative blue-sky thinking session, you might want to be in lower, more comfortable seating.' See more: How L.L. Bean Encouraged People to Take Their Work Outside](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/AS1_7467.64403c9a199be.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
"We wanted to encourage different ways of working," said Kathryn Pratt, then the L.L. Bean director of brand engagement. "There are different types of meetings that you can be taking out here. Sometimes you are going to want power and some shade; other times, if it's a creative blue-sky thinking session, you might want to be in lower, more comfortable seating." See more: How L.L. Bean Encouraged People to Take Their Work Outside
![2. Lean into creativity-inducing colors and artwork.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/Seattle_South_Lake_Union_societyM_CitM_SSL_1300_2560x1440_copy.644050e1cc55f.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Strategic breakout rooms were also top of mind for NVE Experience Agency owner Brett Hyman when designing his company's new headquarters in 2020. Hyman centered his design choices on what he calls 'the three C's:' creativity, concentration, and collaboration. Although the office does have more traditional conference rooms, Hyman made a point to have several spaces designed specifically for brainstorming sessions with comfortable couches, plants, and artwork. The NVE office also has its own library that offers couches and books on leadership, marketing, design, and culture. The library space is purposely un-bookable, so employees can gather any time they need a break or some inspiration. See more: How Top Event Pros Design Their Own Offices](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/Studio1.64403b1f4da0f.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![3. Mix up your seating options.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/097_BreakoutSessions_GOWEST_20012020_copy.64403a43aded4.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![When it reopened in 2017, Montreal's Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth reimagined its meeting spaces, bringing escape rooms, ball pits, and other eclectic options to what had originally been traditional hotel meeting space. CoLab 3, the hotel's third-floor business hub, has 13 meeting spaces and seven gaming-themed rooms, which include eclectic seating arrangements and swing sets. See more: See How This Hotel Made Its Meeting Space More Fun—and Effective](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/Screenshot_2023_04_19_at_12.38.36_PM.6440434812caa.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![4. Get guests out of their comfort zones.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/147_copy.6440422e480cd.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Or how about a meeting in the pitch black? One of GO WEST 2020's breakout rooms was called the “Darkroom.' The space was—you guessed it—pitch black other than the main screen, and attendees had to navigate throughout the room using flashlights. See more: Most Innovative Meetings 2020: #2 GO WEST](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/129_BreakoutSessions_GOWEST_20012020_copy.64403a44db2a9.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![5. Offer an escape.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/Screen_Shot_2022_06_03_at_3.57.16_PM.629a953d125a2__1_.64404423be3d1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Another secluded—and nurturing—space came from C2 Montréal in 2015, where real tree branches were used to create the 'Nest,' a hollow structure measuring 30 feet across and sitting 10 feet in the air. Participants were invited to climb a ladder into the nest where a moderator led them in a discussion. To leave the space, attendees slid down a slide.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/C2Montreal_ImmersiveExperiences_5.63cae773ccd0d.64403ba213ee6.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![6. Incorporate elements of play.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/Workshop__5__copy.64403ef0cf8c9.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![7. Use expected decor to drive home key points.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/C2Montreal_ImmersiveExperiences_2_copy.644041c4b14f3.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Yes, we're fans of C2 Montréal around here! Afer all, the business conference specializes in meetings in unusual environments—like 2018's 'Transparent' lab, a mirrored room, where a moderator led a conversation about diversity and bias in the workplace. See more: 17 Ways C2 Montréal Got Attendees Out of Their Comfort Zones](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2023/04/2018_05_23_15055388_Photo_by_Jimmy_Hamelin_copy.6440411fdebcb.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)