The Power of In-Person Connection for a Remote Team

Before our first-ever in person team retreat, excitement and nervousness seemed to blend together. After years of collaborating through Slack messages, Zoom calls, and shared documents, we were finally going to meet face-to-face. Team members traveled from near and far to meet up in Washington, D.C. for two days of connection and fun.

While I knew this retreat would be a great opportunity to spend time together, I didn't realize just how much it would shift my perspective on the importance of quality time with your coworkers.

Bringing the Team Together

Our retreat officially kicked off on a Thursday (an extra break from work!). Some of us traveled across the country while others were already local and waiting to welcome everyone into town.

The first day was intentionally relaxed. We settled into the hotel, explored the amenities (I took a little gym break), and took some time to unwind before the weekend's activities began. Later that evening, we gathered for our welcome dinner.

For the first time, we weren't joining a call with an agenda or discussing project timelines between meetings. We were simply sharing a (yummy) meal and really getting to know one another. We have spent months collaborating together online so it was surprising that it suddenly felt different in person, not because they had changed, but because there was finally space to see more of who they were beyond work.

It was the perfect start to our weekend.

A Jam Packed Day

Friday was packed from morning to evening and reflected many of the things that make TGL special: creativity, collaboration, and community.

We started the day with a working session led by our friends and partners at RocketKoi. Their presentation sparked a lot of thoughtful conversations and offered us new perspectives that stayed with us throughout the day. It was a reminder of how much we can learn when we bring together people with different experiences and expertise.

After lunch, we headed to Lumière Candle Studio, where each of us created our own custom candle. From choosing the vessel and scent combinations to selecting wax colors, the experience was a ton of fun. Doing something creative together definitely brought us even closer, it was cool to test out all the different scent options in the store and make your own creation.

What stood out to me was how naturally everyone settled into the experience. We weren't thinking or talking about anything work-related. We were laughing, sharing opinions, comparing scent combinations, and enjoying the time.

Sometimes team-building gets associated with elaborate activities or structured exercises, which is also great. But some of the strongest moments of connection happen when you simply have the opportunity to spend quality time with your team doing something unrelated to work.

For organizations planning their own retreats, take this as your reminder that setting aside time for meaningful team-building doesn't have to be complicated. Shared in person experiences in any capacity whether it be creative or work can create stronger connections than highly structured activities because it allows everyone to show up as their authentic selves.

Afterward, we returned for another working session, carrying that same energy into conversations about our work and future goals.

A Very Happy Hour

If there was one moment that captured the spirit of the retreat, it was our first-ever Friends & Partners Happy Hour.

After wrapping up the day's activities, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for an evening that we were all looking forward to. The Happy Hour brought together friends, collaborators, partners, and members of the TGL community, many of whom were meeting face-to-face for the first time.

The room was filled with inspiring people and even more inspiring conversations.

Looking back, this was also the moment that completely erased any lingering nervousness I had felt before the retreat. Prior to arriving, I had worried about meeting so many new people and making a good first impression. But once everyone was together, those concerns disappeared almost immediately.

People were welcoming, genuine, and eager to connect. Conversations flowed naturally and covered everything from communications and storytelling to personal interests like our favorite TV shows.

It was also a special moment to witness through the eyes of TGL Founder Katie Stanton. Seeing so many people who have supported, collaborated with, and contributed to TGL gathered in one room felt like a celebration of how far we've come and the relationships that have helped make that growth possible.

Looking around the room, it was impossible not to think about all of the relationships that had led to that moment. Every conversation represented a connection that had been built over time, whether through a project, a partnership, or a shared passion for making an impact.

As comms professionals, we spend so much time building these relationships virtually. Seeing all our connections come to life in person reinforced something important: strong communities are built through consistent relationship-building over time.

What We Took Away

When I boarded my train home on Saturday morning, I carried home more than a custom candle and a camera roll full of photos.

I left with a deeper appreciation for the people behind TGL. My coworkers, our partners, and our friends.

As a remote team, we spend so much of our time interacting through screens. We’re able to collaborate and communicate effectively to accomplish meaningful work together. But spending time in person reminded me that there are certain things the internet can't fully replicate.

The conversations over meals. The spontaneous laughter between activities. The stories that emerge when nobody is rushing to the next meeting. The opportunity to see my teammates not just as coworkers, but as people.

Those moments may seem small, but they're often what strengthen relationships the most.

The retreat reinforced something simple but important: behind every Slack message, email, and Zoom square is a person with their own experiences and perspective. Taking time to connect in person, makes the work itself more meaningful.

For remote orgs considering an in-person gathering, take it from us, our retreat brought us value that extends far beyond our few days together. It created an opening for us to feel even more comfortable communicating online building that deeper trust and stronger collaboration.

As we said our goodbyes and headed home, we all went home with stronger relationships with each other, new memories, and a renewed appreciation for the community we've built together. I'm now even more excited about what's next for TGL, both online and in person!