This year, we reunited our (nearly) entire team in Da Nang, Vietnam, for our annual company retreat. Since our last get-together, we’d welcomed three new Order Deskians (yes, that’s our not-so-secret nickname), and it was an absolute joy to finally meet them in person. From the moment teammates arrived at the villa, there were shrieks of excitement, long-overdue hugs, and plenty of animated story-swapping. One unforgettable highlight? David’s epic showdown with the biggest bug known to mankind—don’t worry, he survived. And yes, we have the video to prove it!
There was nothing quite like sitting across from colleagues and co-working together at a retreat. Walking over to someone to ask a question, overhearing stories and spontaneous laughter, or watching a real-time brainstorm unfold reminded us all why these moments matter. It was in these shared spaces that the magic happened, and we were reminded just how valuable retreats really are.
One of our top priorities this year was carving out dedicated “team time” in the itinerary. As in, time for each department to reflect on what was working, what could be better, and how we could continue growing together. We also made sure to set aside time to have a bit of fun, and even record some content. For example, each person brought candy from their home country and we combined it to make a Candy Salad, which you can watch here!
We celebrated many milestones, too, honoring team members with long service awards and presenting our peer-nominated Values Awards for the first time ever.
And of course, a proper retreat wouldn’t have been complete without a little healthy competition! This year’s team-building event brought out our inner strategists (and comedians). With loads of laughter, some nerves, and tons of energy, we enjoyed an unforgettable afternoon filled with fun and (for the most part) friendly rivalry.
Generosity was at the heart of our retreat planning. We believe in giving back to the communities we visit in meaningful ways. This year, we had the pleasure of connecting with an amazing organization called Not Just Plastic, founded by the inspiring Frantz and his dedicated team. They’re doing incredible work collecting plastic and wood waste, recycling it, and transforming it into sleek and stylish products. We were thrilled to include their sunglasses in our gift bags, an item that aligned perfectly with our goal of purpose and impact. Throughout the week, we also collected our used plastic water bottles and donated them to Not Just Plastic to support their ongoing efforts.
We also donated our team-building materials to the same orphanage we visited during last year’s retreat. One of the highlights was receiving a heartwarming video of the children laughing and playing with the hula hoops, as it brought big smiles to all of our faces!
We made sure to provide a healthy balance between work and fun, but let’s be honest, a trip to Vietnam wouldn’t have been complete without a bit of adventure. One evening was spent exploring the charming Old Town in Hoi An. Then later that week, a smaller group went on a moped-driven food tour led by kind-hearted Vietnamese women dressed in traditional Áo Dài. They sampled some of Da Nang’s most mouthwatering local dishes and visited iconic landmarks, including the famous Dragon Bridge!
The week flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was time to prepare for our final dinner together. This year, we had the pleasure of being hosted by Brandon and his incredible team from SixonSix, a local gem in Da Nang. Our private chef, who also runs the restaurant, transformed the courtyard into an intimate dining experience just for us.
The evening kicked off with a hands-on Vietnamese fresh spring roll demonstration. Everyone gave it a try, with varying degrees of success (and plenty of laughs). We then sat down to enjoy a beautifully prepared three-course meal that was as delicious as it was memorable.
Before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye. We boarded our planes with full hearts, and already dreaming of the next retreat we’ll share together!
