Orlando has been ranked as the number one family-friendly meeting destination in the U.S., thanks in part to a variety of theme parks like Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. Photo by Abigail Nilsson

As attendees become more selective about the events, conferences, conventions and meetings they attend, making corporate gatherings as enticing as possible is a must. And for many attendees, meetings and events that boast a family-friendly component can be the deciding factor. The good news is that many venues present a variety of amenities that provide attendees with the opportunity to both get their work done and also enjoy some play time with their families.

According to Jennifer Clark, owner of Emerge Events, as resources tighten and many attendees don’t want to spend a lot of time away from their loved ones, family-friendly events are gaining popularity.

“However, just saying your event is family-friendly, and then just providing a one-pager on family-friendly activities to do in the city while the conference attendee is in sessions and events all day and night, is not really a family-friendly event,” Clark says. As a mom who loves to bring her kids with her to events whenever possible or fitting, she admits there are some events where she relishes the time away to be with peers and network.

“I don’t think all events have to include family. However, if it makes sense, family-friendly events can be beneficial to attendees and their families,” Clark says. “All events or all components of events are not going to be appropriate for children or additional attendees beyond those who need to be in the room. Each event and each component of the event needs to be analyzed to decide how to include families.”

During her career, Clark has been involved with events that provided nursing/lactation rooms, childcare and children and teens as event volunteers, allowing attendees to include families on offsites, tours and other activities.

Make Sure It Makes Sense

“Not all corporate meetings and events can be truly family-friendly. It may not be appropriate to have others in the room, and the environment may not be suited for all,” Clark says. “Saying your meeting is suited for families, but not having anything to offer them, is not fair to the family. Some events say family-friendly, but what they mean is: Your family can stay at the hotel with you, and here are some things they can do alone in the city while you go to sessions and dinners all day and night.”

Cynthia Graddy, CMP, a senior planner, meetings and events at The Graddy Group, has witnessed the trend of family-friendly corporate events firsthand, having orchestrated gatherings for attendees traveling with their young children, as well as for family groups, in which senior leadership were joined by both their adult children and grandchildren.

“People are working longer (older leadership), so we have been selecting locations that will be more reasonable for family vacations,” Graddy says. “Only spouses attend formal events, but more casual events include the entire family.”

Instead of programs solely for spouses or significant others, Graddy has developed family-friendly programs that feature art and cooking classes, and rather than a gala dinner, they have a BBQ-style meal or party-style beach events with activities that allow for both children and adults to participate. Food choices also should cater to both older and younger palettes — steak and gourmet chicken fingers, for example — while the bar has to feature kid-friendly drinks, such as fizzy lemonade, fruit punch and Shirley Temples.

Building Loyalty and Emotional Ties

“It used to be that corporate events were strictly business — suits, schedules and very little flexibility,” says Catarina Tucker, founder and director of partnerships at Barnastics Event Production Agency. “But in the past few years, there’s been a noticeable move toward experiences that support work-life balance. Companies are more open to blending the personal with the professional, and events are starting to feel more like lifestyle retreats than stiff conferences.”

Tucker says that when people feel like they don’t have to choose between work and family, it builds loyalty. “Bringing families into the experience creates stronger emotional ties to the brand or company,” she says. “Plus, attendees are more relaxed and present when they’re not worrying about who’s watching the kids back home.”

Tucker and her team at Barnastics were part of Procter & Gamble’s 50th anniversary celebration in Dover, DE. Designed for both staff and their families, the event had everything — inflatable bounce houses, a mobile video-game truck, a DJ, a dunk tank, carnival-style food and adult beverages.

“We’ve had a few other inquiries about similar family-style events. The demand is definitely there — even though they didn’t all book, the interest alone speaks volumes,” Tucker says.

Shannon Cox, director of external relations, gov. affairs and trade show at North Carolina Petroleum & Convenience Marketers, says that since the pandemic, she’s seen an increase in family-friendly events, even though room rates have risen as well.

“I find that most businesses are eager to send families to network with other companies in the industry, or even use the event as an employee award program,” Cox says. “Family-friendly events allow the principal employee to work while spending time with his or her family. It also encourages lifelong friendships with children and adults alike. These friendships support both personal and professional growth. It’s a win-win for the employee and the company he or she works for.”

Cox has organized family-friendly summer conventions in Myrtle Beach for the organization for around 20 years. “We love it so much that eight years ago we added a second meeting in the spring,” she says. “My philosophy is to get involved with attendees. Listen. Watch. Participate. Getting in the trenches is the only way to know what your attendees really want and need.”

Feeling ‘Seen and Celebrated’

Access DMC national director of creative Sophia Lin Kanno, CITP, has been in corporate event design for over 20 years, creating high-end events for top companies such as Coca-Cola, Nationwide, Target, Boston Consulting Group, Charles Schwab, EY, General Motors, Raising Cane’s and Delta Air Lines.

Kanno says that with her vast experience, she’s seen a significant transformation in family-friendly gatherings. What used to be casual, one-day picnics or BBQs at a local park or ranch are now becoming immersive, multiday experiences that are just as thoughtfully curated as the main event itself.

“Today’s attendees — and their families — expect more,” Kanno says. “Children and partners aren’t just tagalongs, they’re part of the audience. And the experiences we create reflect that.

We’re seeing curated, themed activations that engage all ages, from cosmic galaxy adventures with oversized ball pits and interactive shows, to Cirque-style performances that leave a lasting impression. It’s no longer about just keeping kids entertained — it’s about designing a shared experience that invites wonder, connection and joy for the whole family. The modern family-friendly event blends creativity, strategy and hospitality in a way that makes every guest — no matter their age — feel seen and celebrated.”

Access DMC recently partnered with a high-performing, franchise-based company that hosts its annual conference in Orlando, FL, a destination seemingly designed to be shared with family.

“Recognizing that many of their attendees are ambitious business owners who often sacrifice precious family time to build their success, this company made a bold and heartfelt move: They opened their conference doors to families,” Kanno says.

Rather than creating a rigid, business-only environment, the event embraced a different experience — one that celebrates both professional growth and personal joy. Kanno designed activations that delighted attendees of all ages, from the laughter-inducing chaos of a life-size human claw machine — a new take on the classic arcade game, in which participants are lowered with a harness into a pit full of prizes — to a sprawling ball pit playground that both kids and their parents absolutely loved.

“These thoughtful, unexpected touches do more than entertain — they create lasting memories and foster a sense of inclusion,” Kanno says. “Since the pandemic, there’s been a collective shift in how employees value their time. Work-life balance isn’t a perk anymore — it’s a priority. By crafting an event that’s kid-friendly and career-building, we helped this client strike a beautiful balance between employee satisfaction and professional development.”

The experience culminated in a final evening celebration held at one of Orlando’s iconic attractions — a night where roller coasters, fireworks and joyful chaos wrapped up the week on a high note for attendees and their families.

Says Kanno: “These types of events aren’t just fun — they’re strategic, meaningful and human at their core.”

Key Recommendations for Planners

Beyond just selecting the right destination and venue, there is a lot more that planners must do to ensure they deliver an unforgettable family-friendly corporate gathering that will be enjoyed by all.

“It’s all about programming. Offering parallel experiences — something engaging for kids while adults handle business — is key,” Tucker says. “Also, little details matter: family-friendly menus, stroller access, nursing rooms, nap areas (if applicable), fun mocktails and flexible scheduling go a long way. Think about it as designing for two audiences at once, and making sure both feel seen.”

Each segment of the event must be evaluated individually, and then the entire program should be reviewed as a whole. In addition to understanding the basics, such as what the meeting format will be and which topics will be discussed, Clark suggests that planners use feedback from parents to help optimize the process of integrating family-friendly activities with business requirements.

Clark recommends the following:

• Define what family-friendly means to you and your event specifically
• Always have private areas available where any nursing mothers in attendance can pump/store milk and attend to other personal needs. These should be secure, comfortable spaces with locking doors, access to electrical outlets, a refrigerator and covered windows for extra privacy
• Make sure that your family-friendly measures do not cause a disruption. For example, if attendees are allowed to bring babies to the event, make it clear they are responsible to immediately step outside to avoid any disruption (due to crying, etc.). This is especially important if your meeting is being recorded or live-streamed.
• Decide whether children will be allowed into sessions. If so, will they need a ticket? Will there be a cut-off based on age or mobility level? Will you provide activities to keep them occupied while business is being conducted?
• Determine whether you will offer onsite childcare or any sessions to engage children, teenagers and/or spouses/partners. If so, will there be any additional costs? Will there be overlap time with regular attendees? Does your insurance (or liability waivers) cover children onsite? Will their presence impact other attendees?
• Consider including offsite activities (outings, tours, etc.) in which families can take part
• Think about having children of staff/attendees get involved as junior event staff. If you do, establish clear parameters. Whether they are young children or young adults, participants of any age require real training, clearly outlined duties and rules, uniforms (even just T-shirts), supervision, etc.
• Look into holding an event at a location that is already designed for your needs. Cruises are a great option, as their offerings include childcare, activities for children and spouses/partners, meeting rooms and more

“As planners, we have the extraordinary opportunity to craft experiences that don’t just fill a room but touch hearts, spark imagination and make everyone feel included. That means designing from every perspective, including the smallest ones,” Kanno says. “At Access, we view every event through a wide-angle lens — stepping into the shoes of adults, teens, toddlers and even the in-betweeners. Because when families feel seen and considered, the event becomes more than a meeting — it becomes a memory.”

What Is Family-Friendly Really About?

Kanno says that a truly family-friendly corporate gathering goes far beyond the venue.

“We ask ourselves: What would make a five-year-old feel just as important as the CEO?” Kanno says. “One of our favorite answers — a kid-height buffet, curated just for them. ”

Graddy stresses that family-friendly corporate events will continue to gain popularity, saying: “Embrace the family aspects of meetings and conventions. It makes for a better workplace if done properly.”

Family-Friendly Locales

Many destination cities are ideal for family-friendly corporate events:

Washington, D.C.

Our nation’s capital is packed with museums for all ages and interests. Science-oriented meeting and event attendees will enjoy the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall, which offers daily programs involving science experimentation. Of course, no trip to the nation’s capital would be complete without a visit to the National Museum of American History, with its wealth of interactive exhibits for kids and adults alike.

Orlando

There’s a reason Orlando has been ranked as the number one family-friendly meeting destination in the U.S. Thanks to its galaxy of attractions, theme parks and entertainment venues, whether it’s an intimate group of 20 or a convention of thousands, Orlando will meet the needs of attendees and the families they bring along.

Colonial Williamsburg

As perhaps the world’s largest living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg gives families a chance to travel back in time and experience life as it was in the 18th century. Visitors of all ages can meet the nation’s founders, enjoy period stories and even try their hand at historic trades and games, with a focus on fun for young revolutionaries.

Anaheim

Families visiting Anaheim as part of a conference or convention will enjoy Disneyland Park. For both young and old, big and small, it’s still the happiest place on earth. At Disney California Adventure Park, the second theme park built at the Disneyland Resort, families can rediscover Disney stories and characters, as well as enjoy seasonal celebrations and new attractions that keep the experience fresh. Also, just 10 minutes from Anaheim’s resort area, Knott’s Berry Farm has evolved into a world-class theme park, water park and hotel, offering various attractions, including the much-celebrated Old West Ghost Town and Camp Snoopy.  C&IT