It’s no secret that Park & Battery wants to make 2024 another year of amazing firsts, so it stands to reason that we held our inaugural off-site in none other than New Orleans. We spent the week engaging in sessions ranging from mental health to DEI, exploring the city via scavenger hunt and parade, and breaking bread while getting to authentically know one another past our Teams windows.
Our offsite had it all – from sight-seeing to sessions
From embracing personal and professional growth to fostering genuine connections, our time together illuminated the importance of unity and authenticity. Hear what our employees have to say about how we learned and grew together as a community during our first off-site excursion!
Connecting with coworkers
There are lots of perks to remote work, but it’s hard to replace the importance of face-to-face human interaction. We took plenty of time to get to know one another behind the Teams pictures.
Rosie Patrick, Copywriter
“I’ll never forget the feeling when I walked into the restaurant on the first night and saw everyone. Before I knew what was happening, I had two friendship bracelets slipped onto my wrist, the whole writing team hugging me and a room of people beaming back at me.”
Rachel DiDonato, Senior Account Manager
“In NOLA, I was reminded how nice it can be to get to know my coworkers and get that reminder that they’re ‘real.’ I just kept saying ‘Hey! You’re actually real! A real live person!’ because we can tend to become a voice or a Teams picture, but we’re all real!”
Jessica Spilman, Senior Media Planner & Buyer
“Some of my favorite memories would be going out after hours, all the delicious food, and having our very own P&B parade through the French Quarter of New Orleans. One of the most valuable takeaways from the week is how important it is to be your authentic self.”
Speaker sessions
From mental health to DEI to becoming a more confident presenter, we experienced a number of enlightening sessions that led to engaging discussions and insightful takeaways.
Cara Jones, Senior Brand Strategist
“I really liked the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging session we had with Dr. Thurmond Webb. He emphasized the personal responsibility we all have in creating belonging and psychological safety for one another, beyond just tolerance of differences.”
Leonel Alvarez, Senior Editor / Animator
“The speakers made me aware of things like how to train my brain like an athlete, to be able regulate my emotions to tackle my day-to-day, and how to become a better presenter by speaking loud and clear so I’m able to sell my ideas with confidence.”
Team activities
Exploring a new city is always fun, but it’s even better when you do it via scavenger hunt and company parade through the streets!
Prashamsa Pandey, Web Developer
“The sense of unity during the parade highlighted the profound power of togetherness, showcasing how shared experiences can significantly strengthen our connections at P&B.”
Alex Douangdara, Senior Art Director
“Getting to know everyone in person really helped create new bonds and friendships that weren’t there before and I feel closer to everyone now, especially while doing the scavenger hunt and just breaking bread over lunch and dinner.”
Jasmine Lee, UX Strategist
“I absolutely loved the parade through New Orleans! It had me smiling from ear to ear the whole time and gave me a fresh perspective on the impact of immersive experiences, such as how I can add spontaneity and delight into my work!”
Beignet, done that
Our time in New Orleans was nothing short of extraordinary. As a company, we bonded, learned, and laughed together, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Until our next adventure, New Orleans will hold a special place in our hearts as a symbol of growth, unity, and unforgettable experiences.
