Recently, we heard from Windy Hill Farm and Preserves, a scenic 650-acre Tennessee farm ideal for leadership retreats and team-building. One new trend, the resort tells us, is that many meeting and event planners are skipping the ballroom altogether and opting to buy out entire properties instead. “Properties like Windy Hill, which they find is just great for that, with leadership retreats and exciting team-building offsite events,” they inform.
For instance, one report says, “the share of planners sourcing unique or special event venues jumped from 17% in 2023 to 49% last year, proof this isn’t a passing trend but a fundamental shift in what companies want from an offsite property.”
So, what does Windy Hill Farm and Preserve actually offer meeting and event planners? For starters, it offers 650 acres of an all-inclusive private resort in Loudon, Tennessee. Recently, it reported more corporate groups booking full-property buyouts for leadership retreats and team offsites. Instead of a hotel conference room, teams get exclusive use of the entire farm: fireside strategy sessions, outdoor adventure programming, chef-led dinners built around hyper-local ingredients, and wellness workshops, all designed to spark connection rather than just fill an agenda.
Group planners of all types can be sure that this is a true sanctuary where adventure meets restoration. In fact, it’s a luxury all-inclusive retreat and upland preserve set on 650 acres along the Tennessee River in Loudon, Tennessee. Windy Hill, which opened several years ago, offers 18 accommodations in three distinct styles—The Lodge, Water Tower Cabins, and the private Farmhouse—alongside daily meals at Wilder, the on-site garden-to-table restaurant led by Executive Chef Ben Warwick.
Wilder’s menu draws on Appalachia and what’s growing in the garden steps from the kitchen door, complemented by thoughtfully sourced meat, fish, and game. Beyond the table, guests can enjoy guided quail hunting across 12 expertly managed fields, fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, archery, seasonal beekeeping, hands-on culinary experiences, and wellness programming, making Windy Hill an equally compelling destination for both the seasoned hunter and the traveler simply looking to disconnect.
That said, here are a few angles that might be useful for a piece on the shift toward intentional, experience-driven corporate gatherings:
- The move away from generic hotel conferences toward full-buyout, destination-style, land-driven retreats
- How outdoor/adventure programming and wellness workshops are being built into leadership offsites to encourage both team-building and individual relaxation, not bolted onto a jam-packed itinerary
- The role of hyper-local, farm-to-table dining in making a retreat feel distinct from a standard meeting package
As a reminder, Windy Hill has those 650 beautiful acres, with the option for full or partial buyouts. Plus, first-class accommodations for up to 40 guests include luxury cabins, lodge rooms, and “the Farmhouse,” creating a memorable group experience that’s sure to please and deliver the results planners strive for. Also, there are:
- Multiple distinct meeting/gathering spaces on one property: The Granary (up to 100), Wilder restaurant (40 indoor / 60+ with patio), The Watchhouse (30, flexible layout suited to workshops and team retreats), and The Farmhouse grounds
- Dedicated concierge and planning team managing logistics
- On-site chef-driven dining that can flex from working lunches to a full farewell brunch, sourced largely from the property’s own garden
We at F&D think your group members will have a memorable and productive outing at Windy Hill! Let us know.
For more information: www.windyhillfarmtn.com. Or call them at 865.657.1700.