Nothing can beat having a company retreat surrounded by the Canadian Rockies. Recently, our PC Corp team headed to the stunning Lake Louise in Canada to celebrate our company’s 40th anniversary. We knew that the “Jewel of Canada” would serve as the perfect place to recharge our batteries with some much-needed social time, rest, and relaxation.
Surrounded by Lake Louise’s iconic turquoise waters and snowy Fairview Mountain peaks, we gathered to create memories together, reconnecting with our company values. The result? A deeper sense of community.
So, how did we keep busy on our weekend away? Keep reading to find out.
Our Lake Louise weekend began with a fun and easygoing cocktail reception. Everyone enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere where we could let loose in business casual dress, paired with drinks and tasty treats. The room bubbled with joyous chatter and laughter. The best part? We could actually hug each other — finally! It felt even sweeter because the staff from our Calgary and Edmonton offices hadn’t been able to get together for over three years.
This informal happy hour gave us a chance to learn more about each other’s non-work hobbies. We went beyond surface-level conversations, expressing ourselves more naturally than we would do in the office.
Without a doubt, this team spirit will positively impact our PC Corp workplace beyond just one weekend. We’ve seen how these genuine connections lead to happier colleagues who communicate more effectively in a teamwork-focused environment.
We knew we needed a moment that took us out of our comfort zone. When colleagues connect beyond a traditional work environment, magic can happen!
Bright and early the next morning, we met at 8:00 a.m for some sweaty team bonding at a Zumba session. Our very own Nicole Palmer taught our Zumba class! By day, she works as our Inside Sales Lead for our Edmonton-based Procurement Team. Yet Nicole also holds an impressive side gig as an enthusiastic Zumba instructor.
We appreciated that so many people put in an effort to attend the exercise class — especially following a night of socializing.
Spending time in a different setting helped disrupt our daily routine. After grooving to some invigorating music, we felt ready to seize the rest of the weekend with renewed energy. It also didn’t hurt that we witnessed such vivid, natural beauty in the process.
Classy Dining
Later on, we met in the resplendent ballroom at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for a special company anniversary meal.
Featuring a three-course, fine-dining dinner, we all loved dressing up for this elegant affair. The “Class of 2022” will forever be known as a stylish bunch after we dressed up to the nines for the staff group pictures.
Before dinner was served, PC Corp’s co-founders and co-owners, Isabel and Eldon, shared brief, inspiring speeches, along with some favourite memories from the last 40 years. Observing the company’s long-term success helped turn our minds toward the future, inspiring us to help the company succeed for another 40 years and beyond.
We also witnessed an emotional moment after two long-term employees, Millie and Tessy, presented the group’s 40th Anniversary commemorative gift to Isabel and Eldon. They loved their commissioned paintings of the PC Corp Calgary and Edmonton office building exteriors.
This retreat weekend in Lake Louise helped everyone at PC Corp form new relationships and foster blossoming friendships. This group trip also offered a thrilling reunion, as we reconnected with people we hadn’t seen in person for ages. Not to mention, we connected with coworkers we don’t usually work with directly, ensuring every colleague felt like part of a cohesive team with a shared mission.
We loved gathering with everyone, to see how much our team has grown and accomplished. This weekend, we gained fresh perspectives about each other, witnessing undiscovered skills and untapped knowledge from activities that required out-of-the-box thinking.
Clearly a worthwhile endeavor, our successful Lake Louise celebration is a testament to our team’s supportive nature and dedication to each other. We can’t wait to see how we can translate this weekend’s experience into our daily work at PC Corp. Stay tuned to see how we keep the positive momentum going.