Wouldn’t ya know it — we practice what we preach here at Marco.
Wouldn’t ya know it — we practice what we preach here at Marco.
We have an incredible team, we’re remote first, and it is always a fulfilling moment for us to get to use our own platform to execute on our company mission — find and book amazing properties for an offsite.
For anyone curious — here is how it went! ⤵️
The WHERE — Urban Cowboy Hotel
Urban Cowboy Hotel, nestled in the serene Catskills National Park, and a cherished Marco Retreats Partner, for good reason.
Surrounded by mountains, trails, and a scenic ridgeline, the venue feels like a world away despite its proximity to New York City. The 68-acre property turned to a winter wonderland on day 2 of our trip. It was gorgeous. Nature truly takes center stage here.
This place is quite groovy. It’s like if you took all the nice comfy parts about Restoration Hardware, selected Pendleton as another main sponsor to the race car… add some leather + huge fire place + high-end self care amenities (sauna, large copper bathtubs, etc). We loved it 🤠
Molly Bridges on our great partnership with the Urban Cowboy team:
"The teams we met were so turnkey, I felt lucky to partner with such quality venues. I loved the intentional bonding moments we created, like fun and unique get-to-know-you games in the evenings, as well as planning experiences that highlighted the location’s charm: skiing, sauna sessions, exploring Woodstock, and cozy s’mores nights. It was so rewarding to bond with the team in person and reminded me just how important IRL time is for hybrid and remote teams to reconnect and reset as we head into the new year."
The WHY — Reward, Celebrate, Connect
Last week’s offsite allowed us to slow down the pace a bit. To un-plug form the web and tune-in to each other. In our collective experience, the way to get the most out of an offsite is to promote a combination of collaborative work, play, and unstructured bonding. And we try to remember (sometimes unsuccessfully) that less is more.
Maybe grab a hot coco with a lesser-acquainted colleague, maybe get out of your comfort zone just slightly, maybe share some fresh work-related ideas you have, maybe talk about your goals, maybe get inspired, maybe form a new inside joke with someone…
Highlights from the Offsite
Two Sessions — one for personal one for team
(1) Write Your Resume:
The primary effort here was to dedicate some focus time to think about one’s goals; both personal or professional. That might be to run a half marathon in 2025, join a club/league of sorts, take up a specific hobby (or get really good at an existing one), perhaps connect in a new way with friends and family (a goal to be a better at watering your social garden). Anything!
On the professional front — startups present a unique environment where you can quickly stretch into a new field, expand beyond a certain boundary a larger company may set for you. We wanted to encourage and inspire our team to think about ways they might want to grow and develop hard/soft skills in the workplace. If you are a baseball card, what are your stats? How do we get new stats on there and grow em!
Some really interesting and inspiring stuff came out of that session. So many team members voiced enthusiasm for supporting each other through their own milestones. Love to see it.
(2) How else can AI support our customers:
We’re pretty thrilled about the 2025 product roadmap. Taking a close look at the problems our platform solves for our customers, there are so so many opportunities, end to end, for AI capabilities to enhance the experience. That was our topic for product brainstorming — and I’m always surprised by how many good ideas come out of every corner of the team (especially outside of PED).
"We organized a session around goals, both personal and professional, that I found really great. A forum to share on a deeper level what we aspire to, how we can enable and inspire one another. The AI Product brainstorming session on day 1 continued to spark convos throughout the offsite! I remember on Day 3 of the retreat, a super organic and electric conversation flared up in the pub—and even a few locals chimed in on the session. Really fond memory!!"
Team bonding and water-cooler moments
Abby Riggs, Event Operations extraordinaire (one of our) resident Gen Z experts led us through two epic games that weaved through the entire week.
(1) Assassin: You’re given a “target” and a word that you have to get them to say. If you get them to say the word, then you get their target. The game carried forward throughout the offsite, and is a hilarious way to get people who don’t often connect to talk. I was murdered on the word “pepperoni” by an unlikely yet lethal assassin, Anna.
(2) Lore: Each person shares their own personal “lore” that makes them special and unique. Not your life’s story - one story - that captures your essence. Told around a massive fireplace is the way to go 🔥 🍫
Abby Riggs on the light-hearted moments:
"Laughter was definitely a core theme of the retreat—my eyes genuinely teared up multiple times because I couldn't stop giggling. From Jake scaling the roof to break into my room I was locked out of night one, to Anna sharing her Russian caviar fridge lore to Pink Pony Club karaoke (Screamo Remix, Chris's version), we had a very silly time indeed."
Suman Siva echoed the sentiment, highlighting both the personal reconnections and the enjoyable activities:
"Generally reuniting with everyone in way too long of a time, over a year for some. Sauna sessions with many folks here, that provided a hot but relaxing break from sessions and socializing, especially jumping in the snow post sauna sessions. Many amazing meals, my favorite being the dinner at Dandelion!"
Experiencing the Property:
Beyond the structured activities, the Urban Cowboy Hotel itself became a part of our experience. The stunning natural surroundings provided opportunities for exploration and relaxation. Whether it was hiking the mountain trails, enjoying the scenic views from The Living Room, or unwinding on The Deck, every moment had elements of cozy, beauty, and tranquility.
- The Parlor: The central hub of the hotel, The Parlor is attached to The Bar and offers comfortable seating for 40 guests amidst a collection of leather furnishings. It's an ideal spot for gatherings and casual meetings.
- The Living Room: Boasting the best view on the property, The Living Room serves multiple purposes, from hosting pop-up art galleries to intimate receptions, providing versatile spaces to suit various needs.
- The Dining Room: With its striking floor-to-ceiling hand-printed wallpaper by Clint Van Gemert and 48 seats, the Dining Room offers stunning window views that create a perfect ambiance for meals and discussions.
- The Bar: Located just inside the main entrance, the six-seat Bar is the perfect place for initial greetings and casual conversations between dining and meeting areas.
- The Deck: Equipped with a vaulted wooden trellis, The Deck provides diverse seating options ideal for outdoor activities and relaxation.
- The Porch: Adjacent to The Deck, the Porch is perfect for family-style gatherings and any occasion that calls for a welcoming outdoor space.
- The Lawn: Offering ample space for various activities, The Lawn is versatile enough to host vintage canvas tents, al fresco parties, and more, making it a favorite for both structured and spontaneous events.
Thats a wrap
We accomplished what we set out to, which is a rewarding feeling. Anyone who has been involved in planning, or paying for, a team retreat only hopes for the investment to be worth it — and I’m excited personally to be a part of an team that understands what it means to authentically connect and be present and make the most out of these moments together.
For anyone curious about a winter retreat in the Catskills — 10/10 recommend and pricing is much better than summertime! Keep it in mind ❄️ 😉
