Celebrating your team’s efforts through the year is more than just a feel-good gesture — it’s a strategic investment in morale, loyalty, creativity and culture. Choosing to reward staff (or those who matter to you) with a spontaneous experience or activity can make an impact that a bonus might not. Below is a blog-style guide to why you should do it, and how you can do it, using curated experiences from IAMJOBURG.

Why reward through an experience?

1. Strengthening belonging and culture

When you recognise someone’s contribution by saying “we value you, we want to give you an experience”, it moves beyond words. It builds a sense of belonging: people feel seen and appreciated. Choosing something meaningful (rather than generic) signals that you care about them as individuals, not just as workers.

2. Creating shared memories

A shared experience becomes a story: “Remember that art-gallery tour we had?” or “That night we went out in Joburg together” — those memories ripple. They help teams bond, spark informal conversations, increase trust, and build relational capital between colleagues (or between you and the people you’re rewarding).

3. Encouraging refresh and renewal

Hard work can exhaust—even the most dedicated team. Giving people a break or an adventure helps them recharge, return with fresh eyes, renewed energy and creativity. This matters for 2025: fresh ideas + strong morale = better performance.

4. Differentiating from standard rewards

Instead of just a gift voucher or cash bonus, a thoughtfully planned experience stands out. It communicates care, intention and thought. It also creates anticipation and excitement—not just the moment of giving, but the moment of doing.

How to do it — step by step

Step 1: Set the intention

Before booking anything, clarify why you’re doing this. Is it for end-of-year recognition? Mid-year morale boost? A special milestone? Then decide who is being rewarded (whole team? specific individuals?). And what type of experience will align with your team’s interests and your organisational values.

Step 2: Choose the right kind of experience

Look for something that ticks these boxes:

• Appropriate for the group size
• Engaging and memorable
• Preferably outside the usual work routine
• Has some local flavour (especially if the team works locally)
• Logistically feasible (time, venue, accessibility, budget)

Here are three great experiences from IAMJOBURG you can pick or adapt:

a) Urban art & culture walk: Maboneng Precinct Tour

This tour takes place in the vibrant Maboneng neighbourhood in Johannesburg’s inner city, exploring art galleries, street-art, architecture and urban culture.
Why it works: It’s urban, creative, fresh and outside the normal work setting. Great for teams who value culture or need a break.
How to arrange it: Pick a date/time when everyone can attend (ideally a half-day). Communicate it as a treat: “Let’s explore Joburg together”. Book via IAMJOBURG listing, ensure guide, meeting point, refreshments if desired.

b) Walking coffee & conversation tour: Jozi Coffee Walking Tour

This is a more relaxed, conversational experience: stroll (~4 km) through the CBD of Johannesburg, stop at local cafés, explore history and sip great coffee.
Why it works: Less formal than a full day outing, but still an experience. Good for smaller teams or as a precursor to a larger event.
How to arrange it: Schedule an early afternoon slot. You could include a group coffee chat or debrief after the walk. Use as both reward and informal team-session.

c) VIP art gallery experience: Sandton VIP Art Experience with Thabo the Tourist

This premium option takes place in Sandton, South Africa’s business hub, and involves high-end galleries, live art, and interaction with curators.
Why it works: Feels special. It signals “you are valued” in a more elevated way—ideal for top-performers or special recognition events.
How to arrange it: Plan a full afternoon (10 am–1 pm or 2–5 pm). Perhaps add a networking lunch afterward. Book in advance and let staff know it’s a bespoke appreciation experience.

Step 3: Communicate clearly (and with surprise)

You want the reward to feel spontaneous and positive—not a surprise out of left-field in a bad way. A week or two prior, let the group know: “We’re going to treat you to a special offsite experience on [date] – we’ll reveal details soon.” Then closer to date, share the plan. Frame it as “thank you for your outstanding effort through 2025 so far” (or whichever period).

Step 4: Take care of logistics

• Confirm booking with IAMJOBURG or the experience provider
• Consider transport (to/from), timing (especially during business hours)
• Ensure dietary/physical/other needs are catered for
• Make sure people know what to bring (comfortable shoes, camera, etc)
• Provide context for the outing: e.g., opening remarks: “This is about you and our appreciation.”
• Consider documenting it (photos, quick video) so it becomes a memory for the team and the organisation.

Step 5: Follow-up & reflect

After the experience, take a moment to reflect. Maybe send a short internal note with some photos: “Thanks again – here are some highlights”. Ask for participant feedback: “What did you like? What should we do next time?” This closes the loop and shows you care about making such experiences recurrent and meaningful.

Tips & Best Practices

• Match the experience to your team’s pace: For highly energetic teams, choose something active; for more contemplative teams, choose a cultural or relaxed walk.
• Mix reward with connection: Use the experience to deepen relationships, not just as a treat. e.g., ask everyone to share one highlight of their year so far, or one thing they’re looking forward to.
• Budget-smart design: Experiences don’t have to break the bank. Walking tours, coffee tours can be affordable but still meaningful.
• Make it inclusive: Ensure no one feels excluded because of mobility, prior commitments, or cost.
• Tie into your organization’s story: If your company values creativity, exploration or innovation, choose an experience that reinforces that value. For example, the Maboneng art tour speaks to creativity; the coffee walk speaks to human connection; the VIP art experience speaks to excellence.
• Make it spontaneous yet planned: The spontaneity gives it excitement; but the planning behind the scenes ensures it works logistically and delivers.
• Keep it ongoing: Don’t make it a one-off. If you establish a pattern of rewarding experiences through 2025 (and maybe beyond), you build a culture of recognition.

Rewarding your staff (or those who matter to you) via a spontaneous experience is a powerful way to say “thank you”, build culture, refresh minds, create memories—and align with your values. Using IAMJOBURG’s curated experiences in Johannesburg gives you access to unique, local-flavour offerings that stand out.

Whether you choose a creative city-walk, a coffee-filled exploration, or a VIP art experience, the important thing is intention, authenticity and follow-through. Make 2025 the year your recognition is memorable—not just for the reward, but for the experience.