2026 Company Retreat – Unwinding, Reconnecting and Moving Forward

Wake up. Commute to work. Clock in. Work 8 hours. Clock out. Commute back home. Repeat.

Sounds familiar?

Of course it does, because this is the grind that workers have been following for generations. But times have changed, and therefore, We Make Platforms (WMP) decided not to follow this grind. Starting out as a work-from-anywhere company, WMP implemented a fully remote working environment. Post covid, with work-life balance emerging as a key talking point in the world of employment, WMP’s working environment has ensured that this would not be an issue for its employees.

With Microsoft Teams as our main day-to-day communication platform, everyone remains in the loop via daily standups. Moreover, the savings generated by not having to maintain office real estate is passed on to our clients via very competitive rates. Therefore, for WMP, remote work is a win-win solution for all stakeholders involved.

Despite being a fully remote work company, we believe it’s important that we meet each other occasionally to maintain team spirit and cohesion, which is why we hold an annual company retreat. This year’s retreat took place from the 14th – 16th of March at Hotel Riu Sri Lanka in Ahungalla. Situated at just over 40 km from the iconic Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this hotel sits just in front of the beach, while majestically bathed in sunlight during the day. One of the defining features of this hotel is the availability of 24/7 dining, which also includes drinks. This was a feature we would make good use of during our stay!

It was a long journey for many of us, so the first day was devoted to rest and relaxation. Though tired, we enthusiastically greeted each other as we arrived at the hotel, since this is one of the few times in the year that we get to see each other. Our president, Dave Morris, who was supposed to join us, was unfortunately not able to make it due to flight disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East.

After checking into our rooms, we made our way towards the main restaurant for lunch. It was a buffet with a very rich and wide variety of dishes to choose from. Famished from our journeys, we did not need any further invitation to dig in. After a hearty lunch, we retreated to our AC-cooled rooms to escape the blazing afternoon sun and the accompanying heat.

Towards the late afternoon, we regrouped for a dip in one of the hotel’s three pools. The pool we were in had a poolside bar, which was ideal for a chillout session. With the sun dipping and the air turning cool, the pool retained the day’s warmth, creating the perfect setting for both lazy lounging and lighthearted play. It was here that we actually caught up with each other as we chatted about our lives outside of work. Some of us had a sauna session as well, which was available to us at no extra charge. As the night took over, we got out of the pool and made our way to our rooms to get ready for dinner.

After dinner, we made our way to the hotel’s in-house disco, where we danced to our heart’s content. As we rocked our bodies to the music and danced the night away, we got the chance to mingle with some of the other guests on the dance floor. Just as all good things have come to an end, the disco eventually stopped for the night. But the party was by no means over for us; we simply took it to one of our rooms, where we danced, sang merrily and drank into the early hours of the morning.

The next morning, the second day of our retreat, we understandably woke up late. This day went about almost identically to the previous day. However, towards the early evening, we gathered in the room of one of our directors and had a video call with our President, Dave Morris. He was extremely happy to see us enjoying ourselves and was gutted that he couldn’t join us. He thanked us for the hard work we put in all throughout the year.

After the video call, Asela, one of our directors, thanked each staff member individually for the work they put in throughout the year and gifted everyone company-branded merchandise; a bag, an umbrella, 2 caps and a coffee flask with a digital temperature indicator. He then briefed us about the strategic direction for the company moving forward, and the challenges we will need to anticipate, navigate, and overcome to achieve our goals. We then dispersed for dinner. After dinner, some of us opted to retire for the evening as we needed to drive back home the next day. The rest lounged about the various locations of the hotel and chatted.

The next morning, after breakfast, we did the last of our packing and headed to the lobby to say our farewells. Some of us played the various board games that were scattered across for guests’ enjoyment while we waited for everyone to arrive. After that, it was group selfies galore as we bade each other farewell and wished safe journeys home. We didn’t miss this opportunity to take a few group pictures!

So ends another company retreat filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of new memories to carry forward. After a year of dedication and hard work, it was refreshing to step away from our routines, let our hair down, and simply enjoy each other’s company in a different setting. Beyond the activities and moments of celebration, this retreat also gave us the chance to reconnect, strengthen our bonds, and return with a renewed sense of purpose. As we headed home, recharged and inspired, we looked ahead with excitement and confidence, ready to take on whatever challenges and opportunities the future has in store.