Debora Salemink UNIP Lda - Go Discover Portugal

Client

SpiceUp Paris

Destination

Porto, Portugal

Participants

130 international team members

The Brief

SpiceUp Paris partnered with Go Discover Portugal to design and execute a full day team building program for 130 participants in Porto’s historic center.

The objective was to create an engaging, high energy experience that encouraged cross team interaction, creativity and collaboration under one unifying concept.

The chosen theme was Music and Blue, connecting rhythm, emotion, movement and visual expression while subtly reflecting the spirit of Porto.

The Format

Participants were divided into rotating groups of approximately 30 people. Throughout the day, teams moved between curated activity hubs across the city, each representing one of four pillars: music, food, sport and art.

This rotation ensured constant momentum, diverse interaction and dynamic pacing.

The Activities

Music: High Energy Batucada Workshop

In groups of 30, participants took part in a powerful batucada percussion workshop led by professional facilitators. Teams learned layered rhythms, call and response patterns and coordinated performance techniques.

What began as individual sounds evolved into synchronized group performances. The session reinforced listening skills, leadership rotation, timing and collective focus. The final performances were energetic and unifying, setting a strong tone for the day.

Food: Tasting Challenge at Mercado do Bolhão

The culinary challenge took place at the iconic Mercado do Bolhão.

Teams navigated the historic market to complete a structured tasting challenge, discovering local products and learning the stories behind the stalls. The activity combined cultural discovery with strategic coordination and time management.

The vibrant and authentic atmosphere of the market added a strong local dimension to the experience.

Sport: Running Challenge at Time Out Market Porto

The sport component took place at Time Out Market Porto.

Here, teams completed a fast paced running and coordination challenge designed to test agility, communication and quick decision making under pressure. The contemporary setting created contrast within the overall city journey and kept energy levels high throughout the program.

Art: Multimedia Team Canvases

For the art pillar, teams created large multimedia canvases reflecting their assigned team identity within the broader Music and Blue theme.

Using mixed materials, participants translated their group values, strengths and personalities into visual form. The result was a tangible expression of team identity and a lasting creative outcome from the day.

Logistics and Flow

Coordinating 130 participants across multiple central Porto locations required detailed rotation planning, facilitator alignment, timing precision and strong on site production management.

Go Discover Portugal managed the full operational design and delivery, ensuring smooth transitions between venues and consistent engagement across all activity pillars.

Outcome

By the end of the day, participants had collaborated across departments and new team configurations. Every individual is engaged in physical, creative, and strategic challenges.

The Music and Blue theme connected the different experiences into one coherent narrative, allowing the group to explore Porto not as spectators but as active participants.

For SpiceUp Paris, the result was a citywide team-building program that balanced structure with spontaneity, culture with competition, and energy with creativity.

https://godiscoverportugal.com/team-building-in-portugal-the-experience-collection-lisbon-porto/

Client: American Orthodontics

Participants: 130 team members

Format: CSR Team Building Experience

Location: Portugal

Duration: 3 hours

Organised by: Go Discover Portugal

Last week, Go Discover Portugal delivered a purpose-driven CSR team-building experience for 130 team members from American Orthodontics, combining collaboration, creativity, and social impact in a single, meaningful format.

The Concept

The objective was clear: move beyond traditional team building and create an experience where collaboration had a tangible outcome. Teams were challenged to design and build wooden toys and dolls, which were later donated to charitable organisations supporting children in need.

The activity began with a short introduction explaining the social context and the impact the toys would have. This framing immediately shifted the group mindset—from competition to contribution.

The Experience

Participants were divided into teams and provided with materials, tools, and creative guidelines. Each team had to:

Collaborate under time pressure

Communicate ideas clearly and efficiently

Allocate roles based on individual strengths

Deliver a finished, safe, and thoughtful product

What quickly became evident was how the charitable purpose elevated engagement. Teams were not just building an object; they were building something for someone else. This created a natural focus, reduced internal barriers, and encouraged supportive communication across departments and hierarchies.

Why CSR Team Building Adds Depth

CSR team building adds an extra layer of meaning to collaboration. Knowing that the outcome will benefit others:

Encourages more inclusive decision-making

Strengthens listening and empathy within teams

Shifts focus from individual performance to collective responsibility

Creates shared pride that extends beyond the event itself

In this case, the giving element transformed the activity from a challenge into a shared mission—resulting in deeper connections and more authentic teamwork.

The Impact

By the end of the session, teams proudly presented their completed toys and dolls, fully aware that their work would soon bring joy to children outside the room. The sense of accomplishment was both professional and personal.

Feedback highlighted how the experience felt rewarding, energising, and genuinely meaningful, reinforcing the idea that team building can be both effective and socially responsible.

Conclusion

This CSR team-building experience with American Orthodontics demonstrates how purpose-driven events can strengthen collaboration while creating positive impact beyond the organisation. When teams work together to give, communication becomes more intentional, collaboration more human, and the experience far more memorable.

Why We Love Stories And Why Events Should Too

At Go Discover Portugal, we don’t just plan events. We live and breathe stories. There is something magical about how a well-told narrative can spark curiosity, surprise, and connection. Your imagination feeds our imagination. Together, we turn ideas, dreams, and moments into experiences people remember, laugh about, and talk about long after the last guest leaves.

We blend art, music, visuals, and experiences into a single immersive celebration. From live performances and interactive installations to hands-on creative experiences, every moment becomes part of the story. Each detail delights the senses, invites participation, and creates a sense of wonder that draws everyone in.

Stories stick because they are felt, not just heard. The events people remember are not schedules or slides. They are moments that make hearts beat a little faster, minds light up, and teams feel closer. Through immersive, narrative-led experiences, participants connect, play, discover, and learn without even realizing it.

Good stories spark curiosity, laughter, and conversation. They turn ordinary gatherings into shared adventures. They give purpose to every interaction and meaning to every detail, transforming events into something truly unforgettable.

What makes Go Discover Portugal different is that we treat every event like a celebration, a chance to engage, delight, and inspire through stories. As a leading MICE provider in Portugal, we bring imagination, creativity, and a deep understanding of local culture and locations. Every event is a story brought to life, a journey to savor, and a memory to treasure.

Think about your next event. What story do you want your attendees to celebrate? That is where the magic begins.

https://godiscoverportugal.com/story-driven-event-design-portugal-create-your-narrative/

Art Team Building That Turns Creativity Into Leadership and Connection

Looking for a fresh, meaningful team-building activity for your next corporate offsite or retreat in Portugal? Our Art Team Building: Creative Connections & Leadership experience blends creative expression with team development goals.

Participants engage in guided artistic exercises designed to open communication, strengthen collaboration, and unlock new perspectives on leadership. This experience isn’t about artistic skill: it’s about fostering empathy, sparking innovation, and creating memorable shared moments that translate directly back to the workplace.

Perfect for groups of all sizes and objectives, delivered in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and beyond.

https://godiscoverportugal.com/team-building/art-team-building-creative-connections-leadership/

Wishing everyone in the events industry an inspiring, creative and successful 2026. May it be a year full of meaningful connections, unforgettable experiences and powerful team moments!

This is exactly what we love to do: creating team-building experiences that are challenging, energetic, stimulating, and truly creative!

Two days ago, Go Discover Portugal had the pleasure of facilitating a large-scale team-building experience for a major French MICE organizer in the heart of Porto for a French-speaking group of 300 participants. Designed around four powerful themes: art, music, food, and sport, the challenge brought creativity, rhythm, flavor, and friendly competition together in a memorable day of connection and fun.

Despite challenging weather conditions, we successfully delivered an engaging city challenge across four central locations in Porto, with three indoor experiences and one outdoor sports activity. Each group rotated between activities, ensuring everyone experienced every element of the program.

Art Challenge – Painting Workshop

Teams collaborated creatively, turning ideas into color and expression.

Music Challenge – Batucada Experience

Participants learned rhythm, teamwork, and coordination through a lively percussion session.

Food Challenge – Tasting Experience

Participants explored Portuguese flavors, teamwork, and culinary curiosity in a structured tasting challenge.

Sports Challenge – Outdoor Activity

Even with the weather, teams enjoyed a light and engaging outdoor challenge using candles that required teamwork, precision, and focus.

Our Biggest Challenge: Coordination and Logistics

Managing 300 participants across four simultaneous activities in different locations required detailed planning, strong coordination, and real-time teamwork from our on-site crew. Thanks to careful logistics, excellent venue partners, and enthusiastic participants, the entire event ran smoothly and successfully.

The result was a highly motivated group, shared laughter, new connections, and unforgettable moments in Porto.

For more than 15 years, Go Discover Portugal has been a trusted partner for international companies seeking high-impact team-building experiences, corporate retreats, incentive programs, and full-service event design across Portugal. Founded long before the current wave of DMC and team-building providers emerged, the company has built a reputation for reliability, creativity, and seamless delivery across Lisbon, Porto, Cascais, Sintra, the Algarve and the Douro Valley.

Today, Go Discover Portugal is recognized by returning clients and industry partners as one of the most experienced and specialized team-building companies in Portugal, delivering tailored programs designed around each client’s culture, goals, and team dynamics.

What Makes Go Discover Portugal Unique

1. More Than 15 Years of Proven Experience

Since its beginnings, the company has supported the event and MICE market with custom solutions that consistently exceed expectations. What started as a boutique organiser for authentic local experiences evolved into a leading DMC and team-building specialist trusted by global brands.

2. Fully Bespoke Team-Building Programs

Go Discover Portugal does not work with generic or predefined activities. Every program is designed with the client’s corporate objectives, required skill development, group size, and the context of the event. From creative challenges to cultural immersion and CSR programs, each activity is adapted to the company and team.

3. A Full-Service Corporate Event Partner

Beyond team-building, Go Discover Portugal also provides:

meeting and conference planning

venue sourcing

hybrid and AV-ready events

incentives

gala dinners

logistics coordination

destination experiences

This end-to-end support allows companies to work with a single reliable partner for the full event cycle, not only the activities.

Real Case Studies From Recent Years

Go Discover Portugal’s reputation is based on real events delivered for international clients.

Siemens Energy – Annual Meeting in Lisbon

Venue sourcing, setup, and a custom mystery team challenge integrated into the team dinner. The activity received highly positive feedback.

SILK.US – Sales Kick-Off in Cascais

A multi-day program combining team-building, content creation support, and exclusive coastal experiences.

Swiss Entrepreneurs – Round Table and Gala Dinner in Sintra

Coordination of logistics, a curated castle venue, cultural immersion, and an upscale gala dinner for 40 participants.

BravoSolutions – Leadership Event for 170 Executives

Large-scale event management and coordinated team-building for a global sales team.

CGI International – Bespoke Wine Tour in Lisbon

Tailored winery visits and private tastings designed for corporate networking.

Cisco Systems and Delinea – CSR Dog Shelter Team Challenge

A meaningful corporate social responsibility activity developed in partnership with Star Mountain Sanctuary.

Each event reflects Go Discover Portugal’s focus on precision, creativity, and genuine client satisfaction.

Signature Team-Building Experiences

Go Discover Portugal is known for original team-building formats developed in-house and supported by trusted professional partners. These include:

The Original Fado Composition and Performance Workshop

Designed by Go Discover Portugal and now widely imitated, this workshop blends music, culture, collaboration, and creativity.

Cinematic Team Challenge

A dynamic experience ideal for communication-focused teams and product launches. Groups become film crews guided by professionals.

Mystery Game Challenges

Engaging narrative-based challenges for lunches or dinners that enhance communication and collaboration.

Creative Art Workshops

Ceramics, tile painting, painting, and craft workshops led by local artists and scalable for large groups.

Wine Events and Wine Challenges

Private tastings, vineyard visits, blind tasting competitions, and sensory challenges tailored for corporate groups.

Treasure Hunts and City Challenges

Interactive discovery games across Lisbon, Porto, Sintra, Cascais, and other regions. These programs combine problem-solving, physical movement, cultural clues, and teamwork in dynamic real-world environments.

Digital Media Challenges

Teams create short films, podcasts, reels, presentations, or digital stories guided by creative coaches. Ideal for communication, branding, and cross-department collaboration.

Hackathons and Innovation Challenges

Fast-paced problem-solving and idea-generation sessions designed to encourage creative thinking, innovation, and team synergy. Perfect for tech companies, product teams, and leadership groups.

Cultural Experiences and Immersion Activities

Traditional crafts, food experiences, music workshops, local storytelling, and other cultural programs that allow teams to engage with Portugal’s heritage in meaningful ways.

Each experience is crafted for impact, cultural authenticity, and team cohesion, with full customization based on corporate objectives.

A Trusted Partner for International MICE Clients

Most clients come from outside Portugal, including the USA, UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and other European countries. This results in strong capabilities for:

multilingual support in English, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, and Italian

efficient remote planning

fast communication

no added planning fees due to the fully remote team

logistics tailored for short-notice or large-scale events

Clients frequently praise the company’s reliability, clarity, and ability to deliver unique programs.

Why Companies Choose Go Discover Portugal

One of the most established specialists in custom team-building in Portugal

Nationwide coverage with trusted partners

Real case studies and proven results

Original concepts designed internally

Excellent reputation for responsiveness

Strong international client base

No planning fees

Complete event support beyond team-building

Over 15 years of experience have positioned Go Discover Portugal as a trusted and innovative partner for corporate events across Portugal.

Learn More

To explore team-building programs, corporate events, retreats, or full-service meeting planning, visit:

https://godiscoverportugal.com