Whether you love it or hate it, annual company get togethers are an integral part of building company camaraderie and getting to know your coworkers as more than that person who sits next to you all day. We talked with three Austin tech companies to learn what they do for their annual outing and why they think it's important.
Here's what they had to say:
ActiveProspect hosts quarterly events where they review how they did the previous quarter and address any big initiatives for the upcoming quarter. They always try to leave plenty of time for everyone to socialize and spend time together afterward — most recently, at a lake house on Lake Austin. They hosted a chef-prepared fajita dinner, and employees got to enjoy the hot tub, pool, kayaks and flotation station on the lake (pictured above).
"Our CEO really values our people. The event is a great way to keep everyone informed and moving toward the same goal, but more importantly to get have some time together," said Senior Director Human Resources and Operations Marie Carroll.
OnPrem likes to bring all the OnPremmers from across the country to attend their annual event, which this year took place in May in San Diego. They use it as an opportunity to gather the entire company to collaborate in one location as well as create stronger relationships both personally and professionally. It's a mix of celebrating past accomplishments, addressing and discussing challenges, taking a look at the pipeline of future projects/clients, and taking some time off to have fun and enjoy each other's teamwork.
Each year they look forward to the "OnPrem30." Everyone gets to participate in a forum for innovation that enables the company to leverage the brain power of the entire team in order to find solutions to any topic. It's designed to foster creativity and multiple levels of ideation within a short time frame.
"We love the work we do but even more we love the people we get the opportunity to work with every day," said Katelyn Parker, a technical recruiter with the company. "This is the exact reason why our OnPrem annual event is so important to us; it gives us a three-day excuse to work/play/bond as an entire company."
OwnLocal hosts an annual company retreat every year where they strive to strengthen friendships and provide opportunities for the team to get to know each other better outside of the office.
"We’re very proud of our balance and intention to work hard, reward hard, so when we take three days out of the office to treat ourselves we do it big," said Chief of Staff Margaret Spear. "We enjoy delicious food, drinks and lots of fun outdoor activities such as Capture the Flag, bouncy houses and water slides, beer pong, and fun crafting projects that bring out the inner kid in everyone."
This year they introduced "the Special Project Initiative." Teams were assigned to work on a three-month long project. Each group designed a collaborative proposal that is in service of the OwnLocal customer. Company executives took time to visit teams and answer questions and help in any way they could. In 12 weeks, they'll come together again to present what they've been working on and choose a winner.
They also were able to share a secretive tradition with us called
“The Ownies.” OwnLocal CEO Lloyd Armbrust dons a tux and bowtie and presents awards spanning the goofy and ridiculous to the serious. They also have a talent show, a show and tell, and an annual beer pong tournament.
Images via featured companies.
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