How Auto Trader Transformed Their Staff Day with a High Energy Mobile Escape Room Teambuilding Experience
- Sam Middleton
- Dec 3, 2025
- 3 min read
When Auto Trader set out to elevate their annual staff development day, they wanted more than a standard team activity—they wanted something dynamic, engaging and fully interactive. The result? A high-impact Mobile Escape Room experience that brought over 100 colleagues together for an adrenaline-fuelled investigation challenge at IHG Deansgate in Manchester.
This was the third time Auto Trader partnered with us, and once again, the event delivered outstanding results, exceptional feedback and a memorable shared experience for every participant.
The Client: Auto Trader UK
Industry: Technology / Digital Marketplace
Location: IHG Deansgate, Manchester
Participants: 110
Activity Delivered: CSI Table Top Escape Game
Auto Trader wanted a fresh and exciting way to bring colleagues together—something high-energy yet completely suitable for an indoor conference setting. Their priority was a team-building activity that encouraged communication, problem-solving and collaboration without disrupting the event schedule.
What Auto Trader Needed
The ideal activity had to:
Engage all 110 participants simultaneously
Fit seamlessly into a tight conference schedule
Be fully portable and quick to set up
Deliver meaningful team-building outcomes
Provide a memorable, shared experience
A tabletop escape game ticked every box—providing immersion, challenge and teamwork without requiring a dedicated escape room venue.
Our Solution: A Fully Portable, High-Energy Escape Experience
To deliver maximum engagement, we created a full-scale, facilitator-led escape room challenge inside the conference hall.
🔍 11 Mobile Escape Game Stations
Each station was set up with a complete CSI-themed puzzle kit, allowing all teams to compete at the same time.
👥 Team Format: 10 Players Per Table
Teams analysed evidence, cracked codes and uncovered clues in a race against the clock—and against each other.
⏱ 1-Hour Competitive Challenge
The fast-paced investigation kept every participant involved from start to finish.
🎤 Professional Facilitation
Our team delivered the briefing, supported throughout the activity, kept the energy high and ensured a seamless flow.
💡 Team-Building Debrief
We concluded with insights into communication, problem-solving and collaborative strategies demonstrated during the challenge—reinforcing the value of the experience.
The Atmosphere: Energetic, Immersive & Fully Engaging
From the first briefing moment, the entire room was buzzing. Teams jumped straight into analysing evidence, debating theories and working together under time pressure. The combination of competition and collaboration created the perfect environment for genuine teamwork.
This event was a perfect example of how a Mobile Escape Room can scale effortlessly for large corporate groups while keeping engagement levels exceptionally high.
Results & Outcomes
⭐ 100% Participation
Every one of the 110 staff members was involved, engaged and contributing.
⭐ Outstanding Feedback
Teams rated the experience 10/10 for engagement, and the client described our event crew as “brilliant”.
⭐ Real Team-Building Benefits
Participants demonstrated improved communication, lateral thinking and collaborative problem-solving.
⭐ A Strong Ongoing Partnership
This was Auto Trader’s third successful event with us, reinforcing a fantastic long-term relationship.
Why This Escape Room Teambuilding Format Works
Our CSI Table Top Escape Game is one of the most versatile Escape Room Teambuilding options for corporate groups because it:
Fits any indoor venue
Allows large groups to compete at the same time
Promotes natural teamwork and communication
Requires no setup or equipment from the client
Creates a memorable experience that energises staff
It’s the perfect mix of fun, challenge and meaningful team development.
Plan a Corporate Event Like This
If you’re organising a staff away day, conference break-out session or large corporate activity, our Mobile Escape Room experiences can be tailored to any group size, venue or schedule.
📍 Escape Game Events – Mobile Escape Rooms Across the UK
Ready to boost engagement at your event? Contact us today for a quick quote and discover how we can bring high-energy team-building directly to your venue.
