End of Year Bash 2016: Read all about it

This is my fourth End Of Year Bash and it’s amazing to see how much we’ve grown. At our first ever get together in 2013, we had 7 team members and my 3-month-old baby! This year we hosted 32 amazing people, and we were even joined by one of our Techbots via a Google Hangouts from Colombia, South America.

Coming together is a really special time for us – especially so being a remote team. It’s like greeting old friends or family in person: a time to talk about life, catch up and have a good laugh. Because we don’t see each other every day like most workplaces, the event feels extra special. The vibe is truly amazing!

This year, the team descended on Dunedin (where two-thirds of us are based). We were joined by fellow Timely-ers who travelled from 3 other cities in New Zealand. Two members of our team even made the long haul trip from England. We were all set for 2 days of play… and a little bit of work.

Our first venue was the Orokonui Ecosanctuary – a wildlife reserve shrouded in New Zealand’s native forest and wildlife. We had a beautiful Christmas lunch and then took team photos with the view at our backs.

After lunch, some of the key people in our company gave presentations. One of the first presentations was from our CEO, Ryan Baker – this was a highlight. Ryan’s presentation was all about celebrating the year that was. It was great to reflect, and recognise team members’ personal highs such as marriages, births, houses being purchased, holidays, and overseas adventures.

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Career highs were also celebrated, including the welcoming of new team members, and acknowledging those who’ve been with Timely for 1, 2 or even 3+ years. We then celebrated the bigger picture – our success as a company: our customers, awards won, and milestones met. It was exciting to discuss where the company is set to head in 2017 and beyond.

Following the EcoSanctuary, we set off to see an improv comedy group and then attended a Christmas-themed pub quiz (which certainly brought out the competitive streak in some). Most talked, and danced, well into the night.

On the final day, we jumped on board the Tiakina harbour cruise. This was just what we needed to relax and finish our event on a high.

Over the 2 days we had together, I had numerous outsiders approach me to say “what a great bunch of people” the Timely team are– and they’re so right! It was an absolute pleasure to organise this year’s EYOB. If anything, it makes me want to do this more than once a year.

Look out 2017, we might just see the beginning of a new event – the Mid-Year Bash or we can call it the MYB.