Once again, the Caliber team came together for our annual in-person offsite. This year, our gathering brought us to the picturesque Allegria Hotel in Long Beach, Long Island, where we spent three days immersed in learning, collaboration and some well-deserved fun. It was the perfect setting to reflect on where we’ve been and strategize for the future.

Kicking things off with music and mingling

The leadership team arrived on Tuesday for a team-building dinner, giving them time to connect before their strategy session on Wednesday while the rest of the team made their way to the hotel.

That evening, we met for kickoff drinks and dinner, with live music setting the vibe. The relaxed atmosphere was perfect for reconnecting with colleagues from across the country, laying the foundation for the sessions to follow.

Reading the room and the art of adaptability

After an optional sunrise yoga for the early risers, Thursday’s learning sessions kicked off with a powerful reminder that, in both work and life, things don’t always go as planned.

During this interactive session, we explored strategies for staying flexible and thinking on our feet. Whether employing humor, candor or curiosity, the goal was to be ready for the unexpected. A key takeaway? How being aware of and adapting to subtle cues can guide a conversation in a more positive direction.

Embracing growth through teachable moments

Next up was a peer group discussion focused on learning from past experiences. In smaller groups, we shared “teachable moments,” reflecting on obstacles we’ve faced and the insights we’ve gained. By fostering an environment where everyone feels comfortable discussing challenges as a team, we can learn from each other’s experiences and collaborate to create more innovative solutions.

Living our values: A transparent look at the future

The morning wrapped with a state of Caliber presentation led by Grace Keith Rodriguez, our CEO; Harvey Hudes, our founder and chief innovation officer; and Kristie Galvani, our COO. They shared exciting updates, predictions for the future of the industry and more. True to our core value of transparency, they opened the floor for a live Q&A, inviting the entire team to ask whatever was on their minds.

On the hunt for creativity and camaraderie

After a break for lunch and a team photo shoot featuring our new and much-anticipated Caliber hoodies, we hit the beach and boardwalk for a scavenger hunt, hosted by The Go Game. Divided into teams, we stretched our creative muscles with challenges that had us replicating iconic art (think The Scream and Titanic), reenacting scenes from video games like Mario Kart, and solving tricky trivia questions — all while racing against the clock. 

Team Save the Best for Last snagged first place and took home medals and a trophy, while the runners-up Mike n’ Ike donned fake mustaches with pride. And let’s not forget Team 5 — who won the silliest prize of all… a rubber chicken to remind them of the day’s fun. (Rumor has it, the TSA had a few questions for our faux fowl friend before it could take flight.)

Want to learn more about Caliber’s culture? Check out our blog post from last year’s event.

A taste of Long Beach

That evening, we enjoyed a quintessential Long Beach dining experience at Point Lookout Clam Bar, with the waterfront setting providing the perfect backdrop for dinner and drinks among friends new and old.

Perfecting the art of the pitch

On Friday, we brought our competitive spirit back with a Shark Tank-style pitch competition focused on the team collaborating to present ideas to bolster Caliber’s company culture. In small groups, we brainstormed ways to add even more innovation to the mix. Each group had just 15 minutes to plan and pitch their idea to our judges. The pitches were packed with creativity and more than a little humor.

Celebrating our wins Caliber style

Of course, we couldn’t wrap without a nod to all of the great work the Caliber team does day in and day out. Led by Grace as emcee, we held our annual Caliber Team Awards ceremony to spotlight the team’s many achievements in innovation, collaboration and client success. It was a reminder of the hard work, dedication and talent that fuels Caliber’s continued growth.

As we packed up and headed home, it was clear this offsite wasn’t just about the activities — it was about coming together as a team, learning from each other and laying the groundwork for an exciting future.

Want to be a part of our award-winning culture? Check out our Careers page to find out if Caliber is right for you.