On January 5, 2026, the Ontario Public Service (OPS) officially returns to full-time, in-person work. For many teams, this marks a pivotal cultural reset after years of remote and hybrid norms. This transition isn’t only about logistics and desks; it’s about renewing connection through purpose, energy, and the bonds that hold teams together.
At Debonair Corporate Events, we view this as a strategic moment. Done right, internal events transform a return mandate into a cultural win, reigniting energy, alignment, and momentum.
Rebuilding Culture, Together (Through Intentional Internal Events)
The remote era reshaped how teams communicate and collaborate. Many found focus and flexibility, but also lost informal touchpoints, camaraderie, and shared rituals.
Gallup research shows that engagement and culture issues account for 37% of voluntary
turnover, a higher rate than pay or benefits (Gallup). Without deliberate planning, a return to the office will not address that issue.
By contrast, immersive internal events, town halls infused with narrative, team activations, and shared experiences, help your teams rediscover their relational core. In fact, 76% of company leaders say that face-to-face time boosts engagement and strengthens culture (Archie).
These shared moments also allow leadership to set tone, share vision, and invite people into what’s next, not as spectators, but as co-creators.
Three Strategic Return-to-Office Event Ideas
1. Welcome-Back Experience
Your first week back is your chance to reset norms and reset hearts. Design this with intention: leadership storytelling, creative icebreakers, brand-infused rituals.
Why it matters: Events like this signal “your presence matters.” According to Great Place to Work, employees are 2.7× more likely to stay when their work is meaningful, 2.2× more likely when they take pride in their workplace, and 1.7× more likely when they feel “fun-ness” in their workplace (Great Place To Work®).
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- Large enterprises: Let’s build a kick-off that galvanizes thousands around purpose.
- Not-for-profits: Reintroduce your mission in a way that re-energizes staff and volunteers.
- Professional firms: Let’s design a high-impact, polished relaunch that makes your team
proud to return.
2. Rebuild Team Identity
Reconnection takes space, reflection, and shared purpose. Hosting internal conferences,
workshops, or networking events, fosters cross-functional trust, fresh collaboration, and
alignment.
Whether it’s a casual mixer or facilitated skill-building sessions, the goal is to help teams see who they are now and co-author where they go next.
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- Large enterprises: Let’s design an internal summit that bridges silos at scale.
- Not-for-profit: Use storytelling & collaborative sessions to deepen mission alignment.
- Professional firm: Create elegantly structured sessions that sharpen communication,
confidence, and results.
3. Celebrate the Transition
Transitions deserve acknowledgment. A purposeful celebration, milestone event, recognition gala, or curated gathering helps solidify the emotional narrative around change.
Bonus benefit: Shared “positive shocks”, memorable, reflective events, can increase emotional attachment and retention (arXiv).
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- Large enterprises: Honour team resilience with a flagship celebration.
- Not-for-profit: Recognize tireless commitment and turn change into momentum.
- Professional firms: Host a refined, forward-looking gathering that showcases your team
and your culture.
From Compliance to Connection
January’s return isn’t just about desks being filled. It’s about restoring the human fabric in your organization. In fact, organizations that invest in people-centred strategies see gains in retention, alignment, and long-term culture.
Book a 20-minute strategy call, so we can map your internal event roadmap, one that makes returning feel like belonging again.
When we collaborate, the return to office becomes more than compliance; it becomes a shared moment of purpose, energy, and connection.
This article was used with permission and originally published on the Debonair Corporate Events Blog. To learn more about Debonair Corporate Events, visit their website and social media pages.
