This May, HG Insights came together. Teams from around the world finally met during our first in-person company event for two years. For HGers, it was a long overdue, warmly welcomed opportunity to reconnect.
Across three days the entire company met in HG’s headquarters of Santa Barbara for exciting news, activities, and inspiration… and a welcome to our new teammates, especially those joining us from Intricately!
CEO Elizabeth Cholawsky shared, “It has been two and a half years since we were all together in person, and I found myself speaking to a team that had tripled in size—now close to 200 people! I was overwhelmed by our achievements during that period, not because of our added headcount, but because our culture has thrived and grown despite the challenges. In every conversation I heard examples of people caring for each other, creating solutions, embracing challenges, and growing meaningful connections through asking for and giving help. I couldn’t be prouder of everyone at HG Insights.”
Because we leave nothing on the pitch, the theme of the event was HG United. We kicked off a great year in 2022 and ran laps around the competition. After HG United, now we know what it takes to continue hitting our goals! Set in the serene ocean-side venue, it was a treat to spend a week at the beach, even for Santa Barbara locals. The food was incredible and there was a charcuterie set-up some HGers said was “to die for.”
The events illustrated just how dedicated HGers are. Everyone had lots of laughs competing in an unconventional scavenger hunt—especially Stephen Hunter, Data Strategist, Capital Markets, who took one for the team by busting out in a disco dance as part of a challenge, just one of the many hysterical boxes to check. And the handstand challenge between muscle men Scott and Gabe in the parking lot of the Motel 6 was quite the showdown.
Handstand competition winner Scott Smyth, VP Global Sales, looks back, “Having everyone physically in Santa Barbara clearly illustrated the immense cross-functional firepower we now have within our company to achieve our ambitious growth goals. The passion and energy across the team was infectious and made me even more confident about achieving our mission and dominating our market in years to come.” [blockquote]
My favorite part of HG United was getting to share space, stories, ideas, and good times with my colleagues who are near and far!
Mannie Singh [/blockquote]
Finding a Way
HG gets things done—we are all part of the solution.
Not only does HG build market-moving solutions, we make sure our team knows how to use them! So, HG United was also a classroom, a place to learn from those that built the technologies we use everyday—and it provided huge value as we work on a united team. Many open dialogues about alignment, our solutions, and how things could be improved show the tireless efforts of all teams to bridge any gaps and ensure success for all our teams.
“HG United was filled with thought-provoking sessions led by speakers clearly passionate about their roles. The balance between these in-depth sessions and social activities encouraged a sense of community and solidified our company culture. Having time to connect with peers I otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to interact with, and at Santa Barbara’s picturesque East Beach, is all you could ask for in a company gathering,” said Julia Brocato.
We’re together, we’re united, and aligned. We don’t falter when things get hard. We’re here for each other.
We ask for and give help.
What It Meant To Us
We care about our work, our customers, and each other.
Mannie Singh added, “My favorite part of HG United was getting to share space, stories, ideas, and good times with my colleagues who are near and far!”
It meant a lot that HG United brought us together. Everyone came with their enthusiasm, positivity, and curiosity, and left the event with tools to achieve their goals and with insights into the future. It was beautiful to see how resilient HGers were throughout the pandemic, and it was bolstering to hear how fit HG Insights is after the unprecedented global circumstances.
One of our newest team members from Intricately, Claudia Pierson, shared, “As a new team member, participating at HG United only increased my enthusiasm about being part of HG Insights. Meeting in person and feeling the energy of a group of incredibly talented and professional individuals, got me more excited about what’s to come for all of us! I am appreciative of the opportunity given to me to serve others through my role in the HR team. But mostly, I am looking forward to the greatness I’ve been witnessing across the board in all departments. I know our teams will go far, and I can’t wait to continue celebrating our success”
[blockquote]
As a new team member, participating at HG United only increased my enthusiasm about being part of HG Insights. Meeting in person and feeling the energy of a group of incredibly talented and professional individuals, got me more excited about what’s to come for all of us!
Claudia Pierson
[/blockquote]
Of course, there was lots to do in order to bring everyone together, but that’s not a problem! We’re used to it.
We embrace challenges.
Do you like to work hard? To have fun with your coworkers? To love your everyday?
We are a team. We’re proud of HG’s exceptional culture and genuine character. Let us know if you’re a fit!
