Company retreats
A company retreat venue near Madison, without the hotel ballroom
Bring your team to a sunlit hall on East Washington Avenue, five minutes from the Capitol. A main room, breakout studios, lunch on the patio, AV and free parking, all in one quote, for groups of 10 to 180.
Retreats for 10 to 180 · Single-day and multi-day · Reply within one business day
How a retreat fits here
One building, every part of your retreat day
Main sessions in Founders Hall
A wall of windows, a baby grand and flexible seating for up to 125, with the patio next door for breaks.
See Founders Hall →
Leadership sessions in the boardroom
A quiet conference room for 10 to 12 with a 75" display and webcam for anyone joining remotely.
See the Conference Room →
Breakouts in the Studios
Three bright rooms with whiteboards for groups of 15 to 40, so small teams can work in parallel.
See the Studios →
Company-wide retreats in Marvin Rabin Hall
Our largest hall seats up to 180 with a big screen, balcony and concert sound for all-hands and keynotes.
See Marvin Rabin Hall →
Workshops and presentations
Peterson-Jenks Hall seats up to 125 in lecture or table setups, with projector and sound system.
See Peterson-Jenks Hall →
Lunch, breaks and happy hour on the patio
1,000 sq ft of open air for up to 70, next to Founders Hall, with a kitchen for your caterer. Weather permitting.
See the Patio →Included with every room
- Wi-Fi throughout the building
- Projector and screen
- Wireless mics
- Chairs and tables
- Free parking in the WYSO Center lot
- ADA accessible entrances
Easy to add
- Coffee and tea service
- On-site AV support
- Kitchen or kitchenette for your caterer
- Breakout studios
- The 2nd-floor patio, weather permitting
- Loading dock access
A sample company retreat day
“Our company hosted a gathering at WYSO late August 2025 for all IT Leaders, approximately 175 people. It was a smashing success! The facility is gorgeous, contemporary, welcoming and has something for everyone.”
Meetings with a mission
Your booking supports young musicians
The WYSO Center is owned by the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras. Every rental helps fund scholarships, instruments and music education for more than 500 students across Wisconsin. Nonprofits and returning clients get reduced rates.
Why teams pick us
A retreat venue that feels like a change of scenery, not a conference center
Most company retreat venues near Madison are hotel meeting rooms or rural lodges an hour out of town. The WYSO Center is a third option: a 40,000 sq ft home for music on East Washington Avenue, five minutes from Capitol Square, with high ceilings, natural light and a baby grand in the main hall. Your team gets a real change of scenery without the drive, and your planners get one all-in quote with no resort fees.
Book Founders Hall for the main sessions, add one to three Studios for breakouts, and take lunch and the closing happy hour out on the 2nd-floor patio. For company-wide retreats, Marvin Rabin Hall seats up to 180 with a balcony and concert sound. Every room includes Wi-Fi, a projector and screen, wireless mics, chairs and tables, and free parking in our lot.
Company retreat FAQ
How far is the WYSO Center from downtown Madison?
We're at 1118 East Washington Avenue, about five minutes from Capitol Square and 15 minutes from the Dane County Regional Airport. Parking in the WYSO Center lot is free for your whole group.
How many people can a retreat include?
From 10 to 180. Founders Hall and Peterson-Jenks Hall seat up to 125 each, Marvin Rabin Hall up to 180, the three Studios 15 to 40 each, the Conference Room 10 to 12, and the patio up to 70.
What does a full-day retreat cost?
Founders Hall and Peterson-Jenks Hall start at $195 per hour, Marvin Rabin Hall at $215, and Studios at $95 each, with a two-hour minimum on the halls. Nonprofits pay less, multi-day bookings save more, and we send one all-in quote so there are no surprise fees.
Can we bring our own caterer?
Yes. Any caterer is welcome, and they can use our first-floor kitchen or second-floor kitchenette for $50 per hour. Coffee and tea service can be added to any booking.
Can we book more than one day?
Yes. Many teams book two or three consecutive days and leave their setup in place overnight. Multi-day bookings get reduced rates.
What about hybrid sessions and AV?
Every room has Wi-Fi, a projector and screen and wireless mics. The Conference Room adds a 75-inch display and webcam for remote participants, and an on-site AV technician can be added for $50 per hour.
Is there lodging nearby?
We don't have rooms on site, but several hotels sit between us and Capitol Square, a short drive or rideshare away. We're glad to suggest options for out-of-town colleagues.
Can we see the space first?
Yes. Tours take about 20 minutes on weekdays. Book one online and we'll walk you through the rooms, AV and the patio.
Planning a company retreat?
Send us your date, headcount and a rough agenda. You'll get room options and an all-in quote within one business day, or come see the building first.