Once a year, our fully remote team gets to see each other IRL for a few days at an all-hands event. The goal is straightforward: Get as many of us together in person as possible, have fun and connect as people. Some work inevitably happens because we can’t help talking about it (and some of our best ideas spring out of these informal conversations), but the main focus is just providing an opportunity to strengthen our relationships and enjoy each other’s company.
This year, we stayed at the wonderful Hop & Vine Inn (not a sponsor, but highly recommended!) right outside of Saugatuck on Michigan’s west coast. It was a time of sparkling Lake Michigan waters, rolling dunes and forest hikes, downtown shops, ice cream and cozy dinners, and also this big inn with lots of communal space for people to hang out and eat, talk and play bananagrams, Wii sports, trivia, and gather around the fire outside.
It was a happy whirlwind of a few days and many of us left thinking, let’s add another day next year!
Here are some pictures from our time together, courtesy (for the most part) of Dannielle. Thank you for bringing your camera and capturing these gems!
A couple of new faces meant that we all wore name tags for the first morning. Look at those smiles! Nate, you’re smiling in the rest of the pictures, so you get a pass here.
As promised, Wii bowling. That one looks right down the middle, Brad! By the end of our retreat, Brian (not pictured) emerged as the ultimate champion, but on this pictured night it was Sam (also not pictured) who took first place.
Hiking time at Saugatuck Dunes State Park. I take a picture of you taking a picture of me taking a picture of you!
Ahh, Lake Michigan. Some of us saw it for the very first time and were blown away by its majesty!
Brr! Still cold, even in August. Fun to dip your toes in anyway! We had beautiful weather for the whole trip (Michigan natives promised everyone that this was not normal).
When the full hiking ensemble reached the greatest of the great lakes, they posed for a triumphant pic. Photo creds for this one go to a kind stranger walking by!
We had plenty of time to go off and do whatever we wanted. This fearsome foursome hit the links. Only one of them actually plays golf (Michael on the left), but they all had a blast.
Josh and Sam were a dynamic guitar duo, blessing our ears with some great covers including the Beatles. Chris in the background is busy hacking everyone else there, probably (jk…?). Sam went on to AMAZE us around the fire later, beautifully playing and singing some original songs.
Those guys look great! “It’s giving Vineyard Vines,” Suhani said. We won’t show the after-sailing picture where they’re all more than a little bit woozy. Special shoutout to Ryan for braving those rocking waves!
Ready to set sail! We had no idea what was coming. It was a beautiful little jaunt on Lake Michigan, but man was it choppy.
Ryan heroically hoists the sails! Onlookers are dazzled by his heroism.
Geoff (left), thank you for making us a delicious breakfast (and lunch)! We’re all so glad you could make it, and not just because you make a mean meal (though we love that too).
Suhani and Ryan up there next to Geoff have been working together for more than a year, and this event was the first time they met in person. The few of us that witnessed their first moment seeing each other know just how special it was (they both said it was like meeting a celebrity) — immediately reaffirming that this trip is always worth it!
We’re so lucky to have such a wonderful team of kind, thoughtful, hilarious and talented people. Miss you already, everyone!
