By: Ethan Rogers
When we sat down with Marisa Wong, the Founder and Chief Experience Officer of MW Experiences, I expected to hear about event planning. What I got was a masterclass in leadership, innovation, and the power of experiences. Wong isn’t just building corporate events—she’s redefining what they mean.
From high-performance leadership retreats to immersive, adventure-driven team experiences, her company has become a go-to for businesses looking to create moments that actually matter. But her insights extend far beyond events. As a leader, she’s built a brand that thrives on creativity, human connection, and a clear vision for the future.
Corporate Events Should Never Feel Like an Obligation
I asked Wong why so many corporate gatherings feel stale. Her answer was immediate.
“Because they’re planned like logistics, not experiences,” she said. “Too often, companies think, ‘Let’s book a venue, invite a speaker, and call it a day.’ But that’s not how you build engagement. You build engagement by making people FEEL something.”
This idea of “feeling something” is what sets MW Experiences apart. Wong doesn’t just organize retreats—she creates environments where real connections happen. Whether it’s a private island strategy session, a behind-the-scenes super car experience, or a sports-inspired leadership challenge, her focus is on getting people out of their usual mindset and into a space where they actually engage and PLAY.
“We work in a world where people are constantly distracted. If you want them to be present, you have to give them something worth showing up for,” she explained.
A Strong Company Culture Isn’t Built Through Emails
The shift to remote work has changed how companies operate. While there are clear benefits, one major downside is that teams are more disconnected than ever.
I asked Wong if she believes corporate retreats are more important now than before. She didn’t hesitate.
“100%,” she said. “When you remove in-person interactions, you remove a company’s heartbeat. Emails and Zoom calls don’t build trust or meaningful connection. People need face-to-face moments to form real relationships.”
She pointed to a study showing that employees who feel connected to their workplace are 87% less likely to leave their jobs. In today’s hiring market, that’s a big deal.
“A well-planned event can reshape how a team works together,” Wong explained. “It’s not just about fancy locations or team-building games. It’s about creating an experience where people actually talk, connect, have fun and feel part of something bigger.”
The Best Teams Aren’t Just Built—They’re Bonded
What’s the secret to a great team? I expected Wong to talk about skills or leadership training. Instead, she surprised me.
“It’s about shared experiences,” she said. “The best teams aren’t just built—they’re bonded through things they’ve done together.”
She described a recent event MW Experiences designed for a global tech company. Instead of another standard retreat, they built a challenge that mirrored the company’s real-world problem-solving process. Employees had to work together in small teams, navigating simulated challenges while also engaging in outdoor adventure elements.
“By the end of the event, the executive leader told me his team and customers look forward to the next one. It’s rare to get these competing brands to come together and collaborate,” Wong recalled. “That’s what a good event does—it pushes people to show up differently, remove their mask and have fun.”
Good Leadership Means Trusting Your Team
Building a company like MW Experiences isn’t easy. I asked Wong what the hardest lesson she’s learned as a CEO.
“Delegation,” she said with a small laugh. “I used to think I had to do everything myself. But you can’t grow a company like that. You have to trust your team to bring your vision to life.”
She credits much of her company’s success to her team’s ability to innovate. Instead of micromanaging, she empowers them to take ownership.
“When you hire talented people, your job as a leader is to give them space to create,” she said. “That’s when the best ideas happen.”
We’re Not Just Planning Events—We’re Changing the Way People Work
As our conversation wrapped up, I asked Wong what’s next for MW Experiences. She smiled.
“We’re launching new MWE signature events that go beyond what people expect from corporate events,” she said. “More exclusive access, more immersive storytelling, and more high-performance experiences that change the way companies think about leadership and teamwork.”
She also hinted at expanding their MY WORLD EXPERIENCES app, which makes it easier for businesses to curate high-quality events without the usual planning hassle. She is also launching Experience University to teach others the MWE blueprint and secret sauce of taking ordinary events to extraordinary levels. This will enable everyone to learn the foundation and skills to build their own events, whether its retreats, leadership offsites, masterminds, conferences, and more. There will also be higher levels of accreditation from mastery to instructor level. The introductory course is FREE. Download the My World Experiences App on your phone to get added to the invite list or contact concierge@mwexperiences.com
“But at the core of everything, our mission stays the same,” she said. “We’re not just planning events—we’re changing the way people work, connect, and lead. That’s what makes this exciting.”
And with that, our conversation ended—not with a typical business pitch, but with a reminder of why experience matters. In a world where attention spans are short and real connections are rare, Marisa Wong has built a company that brings people together in ways they won’t forget.
For any CEO looking to build a stronger team, keep employees engaged, or simply create moments that inspire, there’s a lesson to learn from Wong’s approach: Give people an experience they’ll remember, and they’ll give you their best in return.
Published by Nicholas A.
