Customize Your Group Experience for a Truly Memorable Event

What makes a winning wine blend? In Wine Chemistry 101, attendees explore that question with participating local wineries, learning how different grape varieties come together to create something distinctive. The experience reveals how blending changes what’s in the glass, giving guests a fresh appreciation for the decisions behind their favorite wines. For meeting planners, it’s an engaging way to bring colleagues together over a shared discovery and give them something to talk about at dinner afterward.

Group size: 10–40 guests.

Turn happy hour into a team activity with Cedarbrook’s Mixology Class. Expert mixologists share techniques and tips before participants compete to create the best cocktails. Judges evaluate each creation on taste, difficulty and creativity, with presentation counting toward the final verdict. The winning team takes home bar swag to put those new skills to use.

For an activity that brings food into the mix, the Margarita & Salsa Making Class pairs cocktail instruction with a chef-led salsa-making experience. Latin music sets the mood as guests learn recipes and techniques they can recreate at home. It’s an inviting way to shift from a productive day of meetings into an evening of socializing.

Group size: Both classes accommodate 10–40 guests.

The Northwest is famous for its fresh oysters, but these tasty morsels take a bit of skill to extract from their shells. Give attendees a hands-on introduction to a regional favorite with an Oyster Shucking Class. An expert guides the group through opening oysters while sharing what makes local varieties special. Guests enjoy their oysters with chef-prepared toppings and paired sparkling wine, then leave with a shucking knife to continue practicing at home.

Group size: Oyster shucking accommodates 5–50 guests

With local wine to sip and chef-prepared charcuterie to snack on, Paint & Sip offers a relaxed setting for colleagues to get to know one another. Local artisans guide guests through art techniques, emphasizing the creative process over a perfect finished product. No art background is needed, making this an approachable option for a small team retreat or an afternoon break from presentations. Everyone gets a chance to experiment and create something of their own.

Group size: 5–20 guests.

One of the things that makes Cedarbrook stand out is its luxurious spa, which offers massages, skincare treatments, and more. For an experience that will make everyone feel relaxed and appreciated, consider a Private Spa Buyout. Your group has use of the spa and locker rooms, along with the patio and hot tub, with tea and water provided. Guests can also bring spa snacks and decorations to personalize the gathering. It’s a great reward for an incentive group or a team celebrating a milestone.

Planning note: Buyouts require booked spa services and a minimum two-hour reservation. Coordinate treatments and timing with the spa in advance.

Sometimes, the best conversations happen after the scheduled activities wind down. S’mores by the Fire brings guests together around Cedarbrook’s outdoor hearth to toast marshmallows and enjoy a familiar treat. Standard and gourmet s’mores options let planners choose the finishing touch. Add it to the end of a retreat day or use it as a relaxed evening gathering where attendees can linger a little longer.

Group size: 5–30 guests.

Cedarbrook’s bar enhancements give guests something to explore between conversations, making them a natural addition to a networking reception or group celebration.

Bloody Mary DIY Experience: Guests customize cocktails with premium vodkas, house-made mixes and garnishes such as smoked bacon, crab claws and blue cheese-stuffed olives.

The Bubbles Bar: Attendees compare sparkling wines and personalize their pours with fresh purées and seasonal fruit.

The Art of Smoke: A bartender adds smoky flavor and a little theater to cocktails, from a smoked cherry old-fashioned to a Bloody Mary featuring smoked bacon and smoke-infused ice.

Flights of Fancy: Curated spirits flights invite guests to taste different styles and learn more about their preferences.

Choose an experience that complements your event’s mood, whether that means celebratory bubbles or a conversation-starting cocktail demonstration.

Build a community connection into your event with Crafts for Charity. Groups choose from participating local charities and work in teams to assemble items for donation. Possible projects include building children’s bikes or building and decorating skateboards for programs serving Pacific Northwest children. For planners seeking a service activity, this experience gives attendees a tangible project to complete together while supporting the surrounding community, with refreshments and libations included.

Planning note: Ask Cedarbrook about available charity partners, projects, and group arrangements.

The right group activity gives people a comfortable way to connect. At Cedarbrook Lodge, that might mean collaborating on a charity project, comparing wine blends or sharing stories over s’mores. Contact the lodge’s events team to discuss current offerings and build the experiences that fit your group into your next SeaTac meeting or retreat.

And as always, Explore Seattle Southside is here to offer free, expert guidance about your event. Reach out any time to chat, learn about options, and get ideas and insights on venues, hotels, and activities in the region.