Fall 2019 All Hands Recap
We just wrapped Fall All Hands week here at Spatial Networks, and I have to say: the vibe was quite a bit different from my first All Hands two years ago.
It was quieter. Tamer.
Maybe it’s because we’re older and wiser. Or maybe it’s because there is more work to do than ever. I think it’s largely because of the company’s growth.
When I came to SNI in 2017, I was the 33rd employee. Last week, there were 56 of us. And at our next All Hands, there will be even more. If all goes as planned, a lot more.
But even with a full house and our noses to the proverbial grindstone, we still made time to have fun. That’s what All Hands is about! Here’s a quick recap.
I’m starting to sense a theme here
We’ve outgrown our beloved “Dev Pit,” which is where the whole team traditionally gathers the first morning of All Hands. It’s the largest room in our office, and where the on-site developers tend to work. (They keep the lights off, typically, hence the “pit” feeling.) So last week, our kickoff meeting took place in a conference room at the Hyatt just down the street, where we discussed, among other things, the possibility of moving to a bigger office!
Before opening the floor for his AMA (Ask Me Anything), Tony invited everyone on staff to share three words that explain why we work at Spatial Networks, which is always an entertaining exercise. While some used the opportunity to get a laugh (like our Controller, Carla, whose three words were “I like numbers”), most people were earnest in their choices.
The words I heard most frequently were integrity, people, team, passion, and — of course — growth.
BBQ, bacon, and tacos, oh my
One thing we can always count on during All Hands: We will eat well.
Monday night, Tony treated the team to another dinner at the Brazilian Steakhouse Terra Gaucha. A backup on the Howard Frankland Bridge had a few of us delayed — but not deterred — from eating copious amounts of delicious, delicious meat. (Sorry, vegetarians, but you were way outnumbered.)
For Taco Tuesday, Tony suggested we get lunch from one of his favorite spots, Fiesta Taqueria, and it did not disappoint. Thanks to our office manager, Donna, for making the half-hour trek to pick it all up — the fresh corn tortillas were still warm when they got here!
Friday’s lunch, catered by Dr. BBQ, was another highlight. Tony seemed as excited about it as the rest of us:
Luckily for the locals (and our families), there were plenty of leftovers to take home!
I can’t speak for anyone else, but I did not need to eat for the entire weekend. (I mean, I did — but I probably shouldn’t have.)
We did more than just eat
Our new favorite All Hands tradition is spending time as a team doing something for the community. This time, we bought supplies and assembled care packages for the food bank at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. On Tuesday we delivered 150 bags of snacks and toiletries weighing 176 pounds!
Another All Hands tradition is the “fun run” (two words that I don’t think go together — ever). On Wednesday after work, about a dozen people ran a 5k around the St. Petersburg waterfront, ending with beers at Hops and Props, a local pub known for its excellent tap list.
On Friday, we were treated to a presentation by Dr. Chris Tucker, whose book, A Planet of 3 Billion, was published in August. Dr. Tucker, Chairman of the American Geographical Society and a longtime friend to Spatial Networks, offered an engaging — if sobering — look at the damage humans have done to the planet. (He suggests a solution, too. I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s in the title.)
Everyone on staff received a signed copy of the book (thanks, Tony!), and those present got a personalized message.
All in all, another successful and memorable All Hands is in the books. I think I can safely speak for everyone when I say we’re excited about what the future holds. Stay tuned!
