Brightwild’s New Year Kickoff: Building Culture & Connection
One of our favorite things about being headquartered in a market like Key West is the energy it brings to our culture. With a full calendar of events—some planned months in advance, others spontaneous—we make it a priority to bring our team together beyond the day-to-day.
But there’s one event that stands out as a true tradition: our New Year Kickoff. Instead of squeezing in a holiday party during the hectic year-end season, we took a different approach.
We realized that between deadlines, travel plans, and the general chaos of December, holiday parties can feel more like an obligation than a true celebration. So, we flipped the script: rather than closing out the year with an event, we start the new year by reflecting on our wins and setting the tone for what’s ahead. And just like that, our annual New Year Kickoff was born.
Kicking Off with Connection
The day begins with our All Hands meeting, but with a Brightwild twist. We incorporate interactive elements—like a live team quiz, where points turn into prizes—to make it more than just an update. It’s a chance to look back on the milestones, wins, and even the funniest moments that shaped our year.
Another favorite tradition? "Who Slacked That?!"—a crowd-favorite segment where we dig up the funniest, most chaotic, or surprisingly insightful messages from our Slack channels. It’s a hilarious reminder that through all the challenges and fast-paced moments, we’re in it together—and we know how to laugh along the way.
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Brightwild’s New Year Kickoff: Building Culture & Connection
One of our favorite things about being headquartered in a market like Key West is the energy it brings to our culture. With a full calendar of events—some planned months in advance, others spontaneous—we make it a priority to bring our team together beyond the day-to-day.
But there’s one event that stands out as a true tradition: our New Year Kickoff. Instead of squeezing in a holiday party during the hectic year-end season, we took a different approach.
We realized that between deadlines, travel plans, and the general chaos of December, holiday parties can feel more like an obligation than a true celebration. So, we flipped the script: rather than closing out the year with an event, we start the new year by reflecting on our wins and setting the tone for what’s ahead. And just like that, our annual New Year Kickoff was born.
Kicking Off with Connection
The day begins with our All Hands meeting, but with a Brightwild twist. We incorporate interactive elements—like a live team quiz, where points turn into prizes—to make it more than just an update. It’s a chance to look back on the milestones, wins, and even the funniest moments that shaped our year.
Another favorite tradition? "Who Slacked That?!"—a crowd-favorite segment where we dig up the funniest, most chaotic, or surprisingly insightful messages from our Slack channels. It’s a hilarious reminder that through all the challenges and fast-paced moments, we’re in it together—and we know how to laugh along the way.
One of our favorite things about being headquartered in a market like Key West is the energy it brings to our culture. With a full calendar of events—some planned months in advance, others spontaneous—we make it a priority to bring our team together beyond the day-to-day.
But there’s one event that stands out as a true tradition: our New Year Kickoff. Instead of squeezing in a holiday party during the hectic year-end season, we took a different approach.
We realized that between deadlines, travel plans, and the general chaos of December, holiday parties can feel more like an obligation than a true celebration. So, we flipped the script: rather than closing out the year with an event, we start the new year by reflecting on our wins and setting the tone for what’s ahead. And just like that, our annual New Year Kickoff was born.
Kicking Off with Connection
The day begins with our All Hands meeting, but with a Brightwild twist. We incorporate interactive elements—like a live team quiz, where points turn into prizes—to make it more than just an update. It’s a chance to look back on the milestones, wins, and even the funniest moments that shaped our year.
Another favorite tradition? "Who Slacked That?!"—a crowd-favorite segment where we dig up the funniest, most chaotic, or surprisingly insightful messages from our Slack channels. It’s a hilarious reminder that through all the challenges and fast-paced moments, we’re in it together—and we know how to laugh along the way.
The Big Event: Brightwild Vacation Club
After a day of connection and team bonding, we dive into the main event—and this is where Brightwild really shines. This year, we transformed Stock Island Yacht Club into The Brightwild Vacation Club, a laid-back yet stylish getaway designed to make our team feel like they were stepping into a private island retreat.
The night featured:
- A Cuban-style pig roast, prepared in a traditional Caja China roasting box, bringing everyone together for an authentic culinary experience.
- A "Reflect & Manifest" audio guestbook, where team members left messages, goals, and memories—like a time capsule for us to revisit in the future.
- Fire pits by the ocean, creating the perfect setting to unwind and connect as the sun set over the water.
- A "Members Shop", featuring custom-designed apparel and keepsakes created by our in-house Creative Team.
- A dance lounge, fully transformed with floor-to-ceiling navy and white striped fabric, giving it a luxe poolside cabana vibe—perfect for celebrating the night away.
How We Bring it All To Life
At Brightwild, event planning is a team-driven effort. I partner with Brooke Atwell, our Head of Events, to dream up and execute these experiences, ensuring they’re more than just parties—they’re immersive, branded moments. From theme ideation to logistics, we work closely with our in-house Creative Team, who help bring our vision to life through custom event branding, signage, and merchandise.
We don’t just host events—we create experiences that reinforce our brand, engage our team, and set Brightwild apart.
Elevating Team Culture
Looking back, it’s clear that events like these are more than just social gatherings—they’re an essential part of our culture. They remind us why we love what we do, help us build stronger connections, and keep us energized for what’s ahead.
If you’re looking to elevate your own team experiences, challenge yourself to think outside the box. How can you make them more engaging, interactive, and meaningful? How can you create moments that people will talk about long after the event is over?
For us, the New Year Kickoff has become a signature tradition, one that brings our team together in a way that feels fresh, fun, and uniquely Brightwild. We can’t wait to see where we take it next!
Reach out to our team if you're interested in seeing how a Brightwild experience can help elevate your team's next celebration or retreat!
Contact: Lee Rekas, Market Director of Sales| lee@brightwild.com
The Big Event: Brightwild Vacation Club
After a day of connection and team bonding, we dive into the main event—and this is where Brightwild really shines. This year, we transformed Stock Island Yacht Club into The Brightwild Vacation Club, a laid-back yet stylish getaway designed to make our team feel like they were stepping into a private island retreat.
The night featured:
- A Cuban-style pig roast, prepared in a traditional Caja China roasting box, bringing everyone together for an authentic culinary experience.
- A "Reflect & Manifest" audio guestbook, where team members left messages, goals, and memories—like a time capsule for us to revisit in the future.
- Fire pits by the ocean, creating the perfect setting to unwind and connect as the sun set over the water.
- A "Members Shop", featuring custom-designed apparel and keepsakes created by our in-house Creative Team.
- A dance lounge, fully transformed with floor-to-ceiling navy and white striped fabric, giving it a luxe poolside cabana vibe—perfect for celebrating the night away.
How We Bring it All To Life
At Brightwild, event planning is a team-driven effort. I partner with Brooke Atwell, our Head of Events, to dream up and execute these experiences, ensuring they’re more than just parties—they’re immersive, branded moments. From theme ideation to logistics, we work closely with our in-house Creative Team, who help bring our vision to life through custom event branding, signage, and merchandise.
We don’t just host events—we create experiences that reinforce our brand, engage our team, and set Brightwild apart.
Elevating Team Culture
Looking back, it’s clear that events like these are more than just social gatherings—they’re an essential part of our culture. They remind us why we love what we do, help us build stronger connections, and keep us energized for what’s ahead.
If you’re looking to elevate your own team experiences, challenge yourself to think outside the box. How can you make them more engaging, interactive, and meaningful? How can you create moments that people will talk about long after the event is over?
For us, the New Year Kickoff has become a signature tradition, one that brings our team together in a way that feels fresh, fun, and uniquely Brightwild. We can’t wait to see where we take it next!
Reach out to our team if you're interested in seeing how a Brightwild experience can help elevate your team's next celebration or retreat!
Contact: Lee Rekas, Market Director of Sales| lee@brightwild.com
Brightwild’s New Year Kickoff: Building Culture & Connection
One of our favorite things about being headquartered in a market like Key West is the energy it brings to our culture. With a full calendar of events—some planned months in advance, others spontaneous—we make it a priority to bring our team together beyond the day-to-day.
But there’s one event that stands out as a true tradition: our New Year Kickoff. Instead of squeezing in a holiday party during the hectic year-end season, we took a different approach.
We realized that between deadlines, travel plans, and the general chaos of December, holiday parties can feel more like an obligation than a true celebration. So, we flipped the script: rather than closing out the year with an event, we start the new year by reflecting on our wins and setting the tone for what’s ahead. And just like that, our annual New Year Kickoff was born.
Kicking Off with Connection
The day begins with our All Hands meeting, but with a Brightwild twist. We incorporate interactive elements—like a live team quiz, where points turn into prizes—to make it more than just an update. It’s a chance to look back on the milestones, wins, and even the funniest moments that shaped our year.
Another favorite tradition? "Who Slacked That?!"—a crowd-favorite segment where we dig up the funniest, most chaotic, or surprisingly insightful messages from our Slack channels. It’s a hilarious reminder that through all the challenges and fast-paced moments, we’re in it together—and we know how to laugh along the way.
The Big Event: Brightwild Vacation Club
After a day of connection and team bonding, we dive into the main event—and this is where Brightwild really shines. This year, we transformed Stock Island Yacht Club into The Brightwild Vacation Club, a laid-back yet stylish getaway designed to make our team feel like they were stepping into a private island retreat.
The night featured:
- A Cuban-style pig roast, prepared in a traditional Caja China roasting box, bringing everyone together for an authentic culinary experience.
- A "Reflect & Manifest" audio guestbook, where team members left messages, goals, and memories—like a time capsule for us to revisit in the future.
- Fire pits by the ocean, creating the perfect setting to unwind and connect as the sun set over the water.
- A "Members Shop", featuring custom-designed apparel and keepsakes created by our in-house Creative Team.
- A dance lounge, fully transformed with floor-to-ceiling navy and white striped fabric, giving it a luxe poolside cabana vibe—perfect for celebrating the night away.
How We Bring it All To Life
At Brightwild, event planning is a team-driven effort. I partner with Brooke Atwell, our Head of Events, to dream up and execute these experiences, ensuring they’re more than just parties—they’re immersive, branded moments. From theme ideation to logistics, we work closely with our in-house Creative Team, who help bring our vision to life through custom event branding, signage, and merchandise.
We don’t just host events—we create experiences that reinforce our brand, engage our team, and set Brightwild apart.
Elevating Team Culture
Looking back, it’s clear that events like these are more than just social gatherings—they’re an essential part of our culture. They remind us why we love what we do, help us build stronger connections, and keep us energized for what’s ahead.
If you’re looking to elevate your own team experiences, challenge yourself to think outside the box. How can you make them more engaging, interactive, and meaningful? How can you create moments that people will talk about long after the event is over?
For us, the New Year Kickoff has become a signature tradition, one that brings our team together in a way that feels fresh, fun, and uniquely Brightwild. We can’t wait to see where we take it next!
Reach out to our team if you're interested in seeing how a Brightwild experience can help elevate your team's next celebration or retreat!
Contact: Lee Rekas, Market Director of Sales| lee@brightwild.com
