While there are many perks of working from home, one disadvantage is that you could end up living across the country from your colleagues. This certainly rings true within our team. As the newest member of DINEvent (read the Get To Know Reine blog!), I had not met Amanda or Anayis in person since I joined in 2023. Luckily, we all got to meet face-to-face during our 2024 DINEvent retreat last month!
follow along as we recap our 2024 dinevent retreat
After a four and a half hour flight from Cleveland, Ohio, to Phoenix, Arizona, I met up with our Event Producer, Anayis, in the airport. We took an Uber to our gorgeous Airbnb equipped with a pool, hot tub, and outdoor bar! Coming from Cleveland and Boston, we immediately basked in the Arizona sun.
That evening, Rachel, our Senior Venue Sourcing Manager, met up with us and we all had a quiet dinner together at CEO, Amanda’s, house. I had the opportunity to meet her two adorable daughters, who gave us their rendition of Let It Go from the movie Frozen. If you’re a parent, you definitely know the song.
phoenix
The next day, Amanda set up a private yoga session for us in a lovely at-home studio. The yoga class was taught by a long-time friend of Amanda and to say this class was rejuvenating would be an understatement.
Dana, our yoga instructor, Anayis, Amanda, and me after our private class.
After a quick lunch, we headed back to our Airbnb to get ready for our team photoshoot! I was so excited to finally get some photos with our full team as the newest addition.
scottsdale
Many weeks of research led Amanda to select The Scott Resort & Spa, located in Scottsdale, AZ, as the location for our photoshoot and it did not disappoint. We scoped out the trendy Canal Club first, before meeting up with our photographer, Adrian Washburn. Our photos came out amazing, and we cannot wait to book her again for our next shoot!
For dinner, we headed down the street to Mastros City Hall, a Landry’s restaurant that I’d been dying to try! We enjoyed oysters, shrimp cocktail, steaks, and some truly decadent desserts.
Seafood tower consisting of east coast oysters and shrimp cocktail
Mastros Signature Butter Cake
After an evening of top notch service, delicious food, and plenty of cocktails, we ended the night at The Global Ambassador for a night cap.
sedona
The next morning, we woke up early and took the 2-hour scenic drive from Phoenix to Sedona.
One view on the drive from Phoenix to Sedona.
We had a very enjoyable lunch with a view at The Hudson upon arrival.
Rachel and me outside of The Hudson.
The next thing that Amanda had in store for us was a private Pink Jeep Tour! I think I speak for the whole team when I say this was our favorite activity of the trip. The views were stunning.
Our tour guide was also quite the photographer.
The DINEvent team at the peak of our private tour.
Following our tour, we stopped by L'Auberge de Sedona for a cocktail by the creek. I got to try the famous Prickly Pear Margarita, and as it did not disappoint.
The famous Prickly Pear Margarita
A quaint seating area within the L’Auberge de Sedona
For dinner, our team went down the road to Cucina Rustica, where we enjoyed some pasta and vino!
An overhead view of our fabulous meal.
After dinner, we spent some time creating our own vision boards! This was inspired by our latest group read, Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life. It was a great read, a fun team bonding activity, and a relaxing way to spend our last evening together.
recap
After an adventurous, delicious, and beautiful trip, I sat on the plane back to Cleveland filled with emotions. First, sadness that I was flying back to 20 degree weather, but mostly gratitude. Getting to know Amanda and Anayis the same way that I know Rachel was such a pleasure. What’s that saying? Oh yeah, work hard, play hard!
Thank you to our CEO, Amanda, for taking our team on this epic retreat. When is the next one?