Head of Operations

Why did you choose Toronto as the destination for your retreat?We decided on Toronto for our fall 2022 retreat due to several factors. Firstly, we had a few team members who were unable to obtain visas for travel to the United States. We wanted to ensure we stayed within the North American timezone for the retreat, and Toronto was the next most convenient option after the US. Additionally, we have team members based in Canada, making Toronto a logical choice. The majority of our team was able to attend, and the city provided a vibrant and exciting backdrop for our activities. Interestingly, more than 80% of the attendees had never been to Toronto before, which added an extra level of enthusiasm to the trip.That&#39;s great. I noticed there was an activity involving axe throwing in one of the pictures.Yes, that was part of our closing event. On the last Friday of the retreat, we visited a fantastic venue that offered escape rooms and, yes, axe throwing. It was a unique and enjoyable experience. Personally, I wouldn&#39;t typically seek out such activities on my own, but it served as a fun icebreaker for the team. Given our heavy reliance on screens and our professional context, it was refreshing to engage in a facilitated activity that added an element of excitement and variety.Wonderful. What was the primary objective of this retreat?In Toronto, our primary goal was to foster team bonding. As our interactions are primarily limited to screens and devices, meeting in person allowed us to deepen our team culture and build stronger connections. There are countless moments of understanding and appreciation that arise during face-to-face interactions, which contribute to a more holistic understanding of Glide. Additionally, we aimed to use the retreat as an opportunity for extended meetings, aligning further on our engineering operations, development, and design. The retreat also facilitated cross-fertilization between different teams, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing.How do you assess the achievements of the offsite?I believe it was a real success. We received excellent feedback from the team, and we gained valuable insights to enhance future retreats. It was an effective way for team members to connect and bond, especially for recent hires who had the opportunity to meet and get to know the rest of the team. As our team continues to grow, it becomes more challenging to have in-depth conversations with every individual, as we could during our early stages. Therefore, I consider the offsite to be highly effective in achieving its objectives.Did you have any specific KPIs or OKRs for the offsite?My main key performance indicator (KPI) was team member satisfaction. As the head of operations at Glide, I wear many hats. Retreat allows me to wear the hat of “Offsite Planner” while also hanging that hat up at times to manage the other necessary work to keep everything running smoothly at my company. For our offsite experience, creating the right balance between relaxed connection and hyper-powred connection is a challenge!  Ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of team members was essential, whether it was setting up meeting rooms, arranging food, handling audio-visual and technical requirements or facilitating memorable and fun opportunities for recreation and connection. I was incredibly grateful to have the assistance of Retreat in managing these aspects because, in addition to my other daily responsibilities, managing everything in an unfamiliar city and negotiating with hotels and caterers would have been challenging. Retreat&#39;s support was truly invaluable. How has Retreat assisted you?Oh, it was incredibly helpful, especially when it came to finding the venue. Selecting the right venue can be time-consuming and challenging due to the diverse preferences within the team. Some team members prefer a location with numerous activities nearby, while others prefer a more relaxed environment. Retreat helped me strike a balance in terms of price, location, and on-site amenities. Finding the venue is often the most stressful part of retreat planning. Once that is secured, we can move on to the next steps with confidence. Retreat also provided assistance in navigating catering options and offered recommendations for various events in the area. Additionally, their provision of high-quality photography was a great bonus.How can we improve our service for clients?One of my main suggestions would be to enhance the app and make the app experience more seamless. I believe that&#39;s a significant area where Retreat can grow, by incorporating more functionality into the app. While I understand that Retreat primarily serves tech companies, I&#39;m the least technical person on my team. So I always hope that the app meets the standards set by my engineers and designers. For me, as an administrator, having a smoother app experience would be fantastic. Additionally, as we expand our operations at Glide, I&#39;m excited to hire more support for our operations team. Having the ability to grant permissions and ensure everything is in order before sending it to our team for feedback would be helpful. Sometimes, there were minor issues with the app being sent to my team members before I had a chance to communicate important information about the retreat. Continuously improving the app will greatly benefit us.Thank you for your feedback. We are actively working on developing a mobile app that will be more useful for your upcoming all-hands event next year.

Welcome Dinner

Meeting

Lunch Time

Axe Throwing

Soaring to Success: Glide's Unforgettable Offsite Journey

Looking for a corporate retreat that combines urban excitement, cultural diversity, and natural beauty? Toronto, Canada, is the perfect destination! Known for its iconic skyline, bustling neighborhoods, and world-class attractions, Toronto offers an inspiring and dynamic setting for your next team offsite.

Start your exploration with a visit to the CN Tower, where your team can enjoy panoramic views of the city and Lake Ontario. Stroll through the historic Distillery District, with its cobblestone streets, art galleries, and unique shops.

Immerse your team in local culture by visiting the Royal Ontario Museum or the Art Gallery of Ontario. Explore the diverse neighborhoods of Kensington Market and Queen Street West, known for their vibrant street art, eclectic shops, and delicious eateries.

For outdoor activities, take a ferry ride to the Toronto Islands, perfect for biking, picnicking, and team-building activities. Enjoy a walk along the scenic waterfront or explore High Park, Toronto’s largest public park, offering beautiful gardens and trails.

Toronto’s culinary scene is diverse and exciting. Treat your team to a variety of dining experiences, from trendy restaurants to food markets like St. Lawrence Market. Don’t miss the chance to try local specialties like peameal bacon sandwiches.

With Retreat's expert planning, we've selected the top retreat locations in Toronto, ensuring a seamless and memorable experience tailored to your team's needs. Prepare for an extraordinary team adventure in Toronto, where every moment is an opportunity for bonding, exploration, and cultural immersion in one of Canada’s most dynamic cities!

Toronto

At the Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown, you’re as close as you can get to the hottest spots in Canada’s largest city. Our hotel provides a stylish launchpad for your stay in the Ontario capital, whether you want to walk to Toronto Harbour, stretch out on a pool chaise with the CN Tower for a backdrop, or shop at boutiques in the Distillery District

Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown

Ace Hotel Toronto is a boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Toronto, Canada, offering a stylish and modern accommodation experience in one of the city&#39;s most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. Situated in the bustling Garment District, the hotel is within walking distance of popular attractions such as the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, Ripley&#39;s Aquarium, and the Entertainment District. This central location provides guests with easy access to Toronto&#39;s cultural landmarks, shopping, dining, and nightlife.

Ace Hotel Toronto

Located in the heart of downtown Toronto, The Drake Hotel is a boutique hotel that combines contemporary style with historic charm. Situated in the vibrant Queen West neighborhood, the hotel offers guests easy access to some of the city&#39;s best attractions, including galleries, One of the highlights of The Drake Hotel is its award-winning restaurant and bar. The hotel&#39;s dining options include a trendy restaurant serving up innovative dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, as well as a lively bar offering craft cocktails, local beers, and fine wines. Guests can also enjoy live music and entertainment at the hotel&#39;s performance venue, which showcases local and international talent.
shops, restaurants, and nightlife hotspots.

The Drake Hotel

Located in the historic Riverside district of Toronto, Canada, The Broadview Hotel is a stylish boutique hotel housed in a beautifully restored 1891 building that once served as a commercial and social hub for the local community. Situated just minutes from downtown Toronto, the hotel offers guests a convenient location with easy access to the city&#39;s attractions, including the Distillery District, St. Lawrence Market, and the waterfront.

The Broadview Hotel

The Chelsea Hotel, Toronto is the largest hotel in Canada, located at 33 Gerrard Street West in Toronto, Ontario. The 26 floor, 83.72 metres hotel contains 1,590 guest rooms and suites, with 5 basements and 18 elevators.

Chelsea Hotel Toronto

Situated in West Queen West, one of Toronto’s most creative neighbourhoods, the reimagined Gladstone House maintains its emphasis on culture, art, and diversity, while ensuring the building’s rich history and iconic original architecture remain preserved. Featured in <a href="https://guide.michelin.com/ca/en/hotels-stays/toronto?arr=2022-09-26&dep=2022-09-28&nA=1&nC=0&nR=1">Michelins‘ Toronto Hotel Guide</a>, the celebrated boutique hotel, steeped in history, features restored exposed brick walls, curated local art and innovative lighting applications that transition throughout the day, bringing the building to life.

Gladstone House

A boutique hotel with intimate surroundings in the heart of Canada’s Downtown. Take your seats at Stages Restaurant &amp; Lounge or rest your head in one of our beautifully designed Suites. Elevate your event or meeting by hosting it on ‘The Third.’

Pantages Hotel Downtown Toronto

Bisha elevates the idea of “entry-level rooms” to an artful new reality. These stylish rooms are decked head to toe in tactile surfaces and sophisticated patterns.

Bisha Hotel Toronto

Escape to a vibrant waterfront hotel offering the perfect balance of premium amenities and prime location. Located in downtown Toronto, in the heart of the revitalized waterfront district, The Westin Harbour Castle Hotel offers direct access to many of Toronto&#39;s most noteworthy sites and attractions, including Rogers Centre, Scotiabank Arena, CN Tower and Exhibition Place.

The Westin Harbour Castle Toronto

Experience One King West Hotel &amp; Residence, one of Toronto’s most acclaimed boutique hotels, highly regarded for its ambience, luxury amenities and award-winning customer service.

One King West Hotel & Residence

Canada is an exceptional destination for corporate offsite events, offering a diverse mix of natural beauty, vibrant cities, and modern amenities. Cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal provide top-tier venues such as the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the Vancouver Convention Centre, and the Palais des congrès de Montréal, all equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for meetings and conferences. Canada's stunning landscapes, including the Rocky Mountains, Niagara Falls, and coastal regions, offer perfect settings for team-building activities like skiing, hiking, and boat tours.

Canada's rich cultural heritage can be explored through visits to historic sites like Old Quebec, the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, and the Royal Ontario Museum. The country's culinary scene, known for its diversity and quality, ensures memorable dining experiences with specialties like poutine, maple syrup, and fresh seafood. With its well-developed infrastructure, including major international airports and efficient transportation networks, Canada is easily accessible for attendees. The combination of cultural richness, scenic beauty, and modern facilities makes Canada an ideal choice for corporate offsite planning, promising an inspiring and productive event.