Corporate team-building activities abound from Old West hootenanny’s to serene red-rock settings to zipping around a race track

Great teamwork builds business faster than any technology. And as we slowly emerge from the Great Recession, corporate team-building activities are making a comeback.

Spending on business group travel and activities increased nearly 8 percent in 2011, according to the Global Business Travel Association, and it is expected to rise again in 2012.

If you’re looking for places to take employees for some team building and brainstorming time, the Valley offers a full menu of opportunities.

Here are a few:

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort
The Fairmont Resort has much to offer for corporate outings with its Fairmont Signature Series. Packages in the series include Tequila 101 & Competition, Mimosas & Crepes, DC Ranch Cycling and the Ultimate Western Experience. During the Ultimate Western Experience, participants do a little of everything — from 4×4 excursions and pistol shooting to bow and arrow shooting and horseback riding. Just tie in a team-building platform, and everyone is ready to go.

Loews Ventana, Tucson
Loews Ventana Canyon offers the ideal setting for an Old West-themed, Tucson-style party. Your group can enjoy the night sky and the sounds of a saloon, or ride the mechanical bull until dinner is served. This is a guaranteed great time with a throwback to the Old West right down the interstate in Tucson.

Enchantment, Sedona
At Enchantment in Sedona, you can reward colleagues with a program designed to improve wellness that will pump them up. Enchantment also offers exploration expeditions for strengthening problem solving methods. Participants can expect all of this along with the great scenery, amenities and the beautiful red rocks of Sedona.

Bondurant Raceway
If your fellow office employees have the need for speed, Bondurant Raceway is the place to race off to. The ProKart Enduro package is specifically designed for team building; it starts with a ground school, followed by an open practice session to get comfortable with the track. Then, teams can get together for a few minutes to determine strategy for race time.

Bucca Di Beppo
The spirit of Italian culture in the room makes an outing at Bucca Di Beppo a festive and fun one. With dishes served family style and endless Italian options, there is something for everyone, including banquet packages available for groups of 20 or more, different menu options and themed dining rooms within which to enjoy dinner.

Mesa Arts Center
Searching for more of a theatrical outing for your company? Then search no further than the Mesa Arts Center. It has ongoing shows, offering a 10 percent discount on ticket prices for groups of 20-49 and a 15 percent discount for 50 or more. With upcoming shows such as “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “Rock of Ages” and “Ragtime,” a toe-tapping time is guaranteed and will have the office singing show tunes the next day.

Musical Instrument Museum
Enjoy sounds other than office noise at the Musical Instrument Museum. With more than 5,000 musical instruments and musical history from around the world, there will be no awkward silences. Guided tours can last up to about an hour with an overview of the world’s music. Guided tours are free with just cost of admission, which is $15. Don’t miss the opportunity to listen to music you may have never known existed.

Talking Stick Resort
Talking Stick Resort is the place to really let all that hard work pay off with a night out with fellow employees. With endless entertainment activities of which to take advantage, including entertainers such as Jay Leno and Smokey Robinson in the Salt River Ballroom or endless gaming action in the casino, there is something for everybody’s liking. Reward your employees, and make it a TSR night; experience Scottsdale like never before.

Red Rock Balloon Adventures
Fly away on a Red Rock Balloon Adventure in Sedona, and see the sights in a whole new way. Start off with a morning drive to the location, watch the sunset during liftoff and, before you know it, you will get to witness the glorious red rocks, wildlife and much more that Sedona has to offer in a calm balloon ride. When you land, a commemorative picnic awaits. This isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s an adventure that’s will be talked about at the water cooler in the office for the next couple of weeks. Get ready for a magical getaway.

Phoenix International Raceway
Rev up your office mates by letting them enjoy the NASCAR experience at PIR. Not only will they get to see great races, they will also enjoy great food and drink, games and good company. With basic seating to high-end luxury seating available, Phoenix International Raceway will fit the needs of your corporate outing, and, as a result, they will never want to leave.

Granite Creek Vineyards
Looking for more of a peaceful, laid back setting for employees? Then Granite Creek Vineyards is bliss. Granite Creek offers Block Six Catering that custom designs each menu to the party’s desires — even a menu specifically designed to be paired with a Granite Creek Wine selection. So take it easy with a glass a wine, and escape if only for a day.

Grand Canyon Railway
Arizona companies can enjoy the Grand Canyon Railway with fellow employees by qualifying for a discount of 20 percent on train rides and 10 percent off packages. What better way to escape the office and view the great sights of the Grand Canyon with coworkers than on the Grand Canyon Railway.

iPic Theaters
iPic Theaters in Scottsdale offers a discount for employees who work at the Scottsdale Quarter. Members also enjoy perks, such as discounted pricing Monday-Thursdays, and every Tuesday, members get discounted pricing on drinks and food. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Make your corporate outing a memorable one at Fleming’s. Fleming’s can custom design your night out with either a choice of three different set of menus or build one that everyone can enjoy. Or, enjoy a wine tasting with small plates. Either way, you’ll forget about all office work with this night out at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.

Phoenix Zoo
You think your office is a jungle? Then enjoy a fun outing with “real” animals at the Phoenix Zoo. The Phoenix Zoo offers full-catered company picnics along with team building activities outdoors. With discount admission from $18 to $12 for adults, the Phoenix Zoo offers a one-of-a kind adventure for your corporate outing, and animal company at the same time.

Pink Jeep Tours
What better way to take in the beautiful sights of Sedona than with a Pink Jeep Tour. Pink Jeep Tours offers a discount of 20 percent off for groups of 12 or more. Groups can customize their tours by including a BBQ cookout or box lunches, team building activities, scavenger hunts and more.

Taliesin West
Discover the masterpiece Frank Lloyd Wright designed and built in 1937. Tours can be custom designed for prearranged groups. With a group of 15 or more, take a 1 1/2-hour tour along with additional options, such as renting out space in the evenings, to take in the night sky with a catered dinner. Have your coworkers experience Frank Lloyd Wright’s personal home in the beautiful Sonoran desert.

Biosphere2
Just take your group north of Tucson, and there you will find Biosphere2, a one-of-a-kind location where your coworkers learn more about the future of the planet as it unfolds right in Tucson. For groups of about 20-30, take part in a 2 1/2-hour private tour, leading your group all through Biosphere2.

Rawhide
Throw on your best cowboy boots, and saddle up because Rawhide offers a new program that provides Arizona companies’ employees with a discount on attractions and at the Steakhouse. Companies can enroll and employees can receive 2-for-1 attraction town passes and 10 percent off in the Steakhouse. So come and experience this unique Western town like you were back in the 1880s. Yee-haw!

Arizona Business Magazine May/June 2012