There are only so many fancy restaurants and stuffy boardrooms business travelers can sit in, listening to a pitch or a discussion about the latest projects. A fast-growing trend in the meetings space involves getting employees out of their chairs and into nature, fostering teambuilding, communication and a dose of adventure.

Companies such as Peak Teams and Outward Bound Professional host excursions for workplace teams that get them out of their comfort zones and into a better headspace for collaboration and critical thinking.

These organizations found prying executives away from their desks unveiled common personality traits among employees of higher rankings — which lends itself to camaraderie — and builds upon their strengths and affinity for a good challenge.

What business meetings lack in energy and motivation, these out-of-office programs make up for by getting employees out of their comfort zones and into an environment where speaking their minds isn’t as intimidating. Being outdoors can reduce stress and assuage anxieties that may come with straight-laced office culture.