How to Get Your COMPANY to Pay for Your Next Vacation

✨ 2025 GOAL: THRIVE NOW!✨ 

2025 is the year to THRIVE! This year I’m dedicated to sharing valuable gems and resources to help you make this your best year yet. Let’s commit to asking ourselves one powerful question all year long: “How can I thrive right now?”

Today, let’s talk about something you might not have considered: your company’s education and personal development budgets.

Did you know your professional development budget/education budget can go beyond just conferences, certifications, and degrees?

These stipends are an incredible opportunity to invest in yourself and your company in more creative ways.

Here are some fresh ideas to transform your budget into impactful and unique opportunities:

1 | Wellness and Mindfulness Retreats

Burnout is the enemy of creativity and productivity. Wellness retreats teach mindfulness techniques, stress management, and productivity strategies that help you work smarter, not harder. One example of this is Camp Château, an adult camp experience designed for women to rest, relax, and rejuvenate. Alternatively, Infinityland provides wellness & creativity retreats set in breathtaking natural surroundings in Costa Rica to help you recharge and reconnect. (Plug: Infinityland is currently hosting a trip with me! Sign up for the Summer 2025 trip to Costa Rica before the Jan 29 deadline!)

Why Your Company Will Pay for This

Healthy employees are high-performing employees. When you learn stress-management techniques, you’re not just improving your own performance—you’re also modeling wellness for your team. Companies know that investing in wellness leads to better morale, stronger collaboration, and reduced burnout.

2 | Leadership Retreats

Imagine hiking through scenic mountains while sharpening your leadership skills or joining wellness workshops that teach you to think strategically under pressure. Leadership retreats are immersive experiences that combine professional growth with adventure. For example, Sugar Lake Lodge offers open-enrollment leadership retreats with activities like hiking, wellness workshops, and team-building exercises. Similarly, Nova Leadership hosts women’s leadership retreats in destinations like Italy, designed to help participants redefine their personal and professional paths.

Why Your Company Will Pay for This

Leadership retreats create immediate ROI (Return on Investment). When you return, you’ll bring back sharper decision-making skills, a strategic mindset, and the resilience to navigate change—all of which fuel better business outcomes. Plus, these retreats show your commitment to professional growth, something every company values.

3 | Cultural Immersion Experiences

What if your next professional development involved surrounding yourself with a new culture? Cultural immersion programs help you develop empathy and cross-cultural understanding. Companies like Where There Be Dragons provide immersive trips for adults, offering authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences. Another great option is Projects Abroad, where you can engage in meaningful community projects while exploring different cultures.

Why Your Company Will Pay for This

Global awareness is essential in today’s interconnected economy. When you participate in a cultural immersion experience, you bring back insights that strengthen your company’s ability to thrive in diverse markets. Your enhanced ability to navigate multicultural teams and projects gives your company a competitive edge too.

4 | Impact Projects or Volunteer Vacations

Why not combine your professional growth with making a difference? Impact projects and volunteer vacations offer you the chance to strengthen your ability to lead mission-driven teams and align with values like corporate social responsibility. Combine professional development with giving back through programs like those offered by Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village, where you can travel and contribute to building sustainable communities. Another example is Earthwatch, which lets you join research projects focused on sustainability and environmental conservation.

Why Your Company Will Pay for This

Impact projects are a win-win. They often align with your company’s yearly social responsibility goals and build your skills in mission-driven leadership. Plus, they position your company as a leader in values-based work, which inspires colleagues and clients alike.

Companies like Airbnb ($2,000 travel stipend), Salesforce ($1,200 wellness stipend), Indico ($5,000 professional development stipend), and TravelZoo ($1,500 travel stipend) are leading the way in showing how budgets can be used to fuel personal growth and unforgettable experiences. So I know this can be done!

Don’t let your professional development stipend/education budget go to waste in 2025. Invest it in something meaningful for your career and your well-being.

Want to pitch your boss or company to cover your next adventure?

I’ve got you covered. Use my free template to highlight how these experiences align with your professional goals and your company’s success. Check out the template here. 

More 2025 Thrive Now Resources

Thriving isn’t a one-time event—it’s a journey.

Deja White
Founder, Breakroom Buddha
breakroombuddha.com