Culture

Reconnecting and growing together in the Azores

Martin Coulombe

min read

For four unforgettable days, our team traded screens for ocean views as the Atlantic became our meeting room.

OsedeaFest has always been more than just an annual event. It’s our way of pausing the day-to-day to celebrate what we’ve accomplished, reconnect as humans, and reflect on what’s next. As a hybrid team, these connections are essential.

This year, the adventure took us to the Azores, a group of Portuguese volcanic islands in the middle of the Atlantic where lush mountains meet the ocean. It was the perfect backdrop for moments of connection, reflection, and a few well-earned adventures.

Why OsedeaFest matters

We’ve always believed that strong teams don’t just happen. They’re built through shared experiences and memories. OsedeaFest embodies five of our core values:

We eat, sleep and breathe technology. It means we are curious and seek inspiration everywhere. Doing offsites like this creates inspiration to push our technical excellence forward.
Simply put, we care. Taking time to connect beyond the office walls and Google Meets helps us build empathy and understanding.
Diversity is our middle name. Different perspectives make us stronger and spark the creativity that drives everything we build. Discovering a new place together brings perspective.
Growing together is what matters most. When we step away from our day to day, we learn new things about each other, Osedea and about ourselves.
Go big or go home. Whether it’s a bold project or a trip halfway across the world, we go all in. Every part of OsedeaFest reflected that spirit.

Our values aren’t just words on a wall. They shape how we work, grow, and show up for each other.

The setting: The Azores

It’s hard to imagine a place that captures the Osedea spirit better than the Azores. Endless shades of green, dramatic cliffs plunging into turquoise waters, and winding roads through volcanic craters make it a place that reminds you to slow down and take it all in.

We stayed on São Miguel, the largest of the islands, where ocean air and rolling hills set the tone for a week that was equal parts inspiring and restorative.

The experience, day by day

Day 1 — Free exploration

After arriving in Ponta Delgada, everyone set off to explore at their own pace. Some wandered the cobblestone streets, others found seaside cafés, while a few rented scooters or cars to discover the island’s winding roads. It was the calm before the (wonderful) storm, a moment to unwind and let curiosity lead the way.

Day 2 — Quarterly by the sea

Our Q3 Quarterly took place right by the water, with waves as our soundtrack. We reflected on results, shared lessons learned, and discussed what’s next for the months ahead. Martin, our founder, prepared a way forward session to set the direction for the future. We wrapped the day with a collaborative workshop that helped us strengthen the trust and alignment that fuel our work every day.

Day 3 — Choose your own adventure

Adventure day offered something for every kind of explorer.

Some set out on a whale and dolphin watching cruise, spotting these giants in their natural habitat. Others tackled canyoning through waterfalls and lush valleys, or hiked the legendary Sete Cidades crater with its twin lakes.

In the afternoon, we regrouped for a visit to Furnas, where the island’s geothermal heart beats strongest. The team soaked in the hot springs, followed by dinner in the picturesque village.

Day 4 — Freedom to explore

Our final day was wide open. Some hit the waves for a surf lesson. Others wandered the botanical gardens of Ponta Delgada, explored pineapple plantations, or simply enjoyed slow coffee and ocean views.

Team reflections

Beyond the breathtaking landscapes and shared adventures, what stood out most were the connections we built along the way. Here’s how a few teammates captured the spirit of OsedeaFest in their own words:

“This trip allowed me to build meaningful bonds with many teammates, especially with my project manager who I had the chance to share a room with.”

Julie Proteau

“I felt incredibly lucky to walk through one of the wonders of our planet with such kind, fun, and inspiring people.”

Cédric L’Homme

“Our trip to the Azores is a concrete example of our performance-driven culture and our deep desire to innovate for our clients. Work hard, play hard!”

Thierry Marcoux

“I’m still on cloud nine. Beyond the stunning landscapes and new experiences like surfing, what I’ll remember most are the moments and laughter shared with teammates I got to know better.”

Marie-Pier Houle

Our culture in motion

OsedeaFest isn’t an escape from our culture, it’s a reflection of it.

Performance: We set high expectations, even for ourselves as a team. The quarterly gave us space to be transparent, celebrate achievements, and keep aiming higher together. We work very hard to deliver excellence for our clients. This was a way to reward and energize our team.
Autonomy: Free days and flexible activities reminded us how trust leads to motivation and creativity.
Collaboration: Every shared laugh, every group dinner, every challenge faced together reinforced why teamwork is at the heart of what we do.

Our values came to life in every moment: we cared for one another, grew together, and embraced the spirit of going big.

Performance and the value of investing in connection

OsedeaFest is one of the ways we live our performance culture. By stepping away from our routines, we strengthen trust, communication, and shared purpose. That’s what turns collaboration into performance. We don’t see it as a perk or a nice-to-have: it’s a strategic investment in people, and people are the true performance engine.

For us, performance has never been about pressure, but about creating the conditions that allow people to do their best work. High expectations come with high support. Research confirms that this approach works. McKinsey found that teams with high trust are 3.3 times more efficient and more than five times as likely to achieve strong results. Another McKinsey study shows that organizations that focus on their people are 4.2 times more likely to outperform their peers and see up to 30 percent higher revenue growth. Team-centered transformations can also drive efficiency gains of up to 30 percent. Gallup reports that disengagement costs the global economy hundreds of billions each year in lost productivity. The conclusion is clear: when companies invest in team health, connection, and learning, they perform better.

What we brought back

Trips like these don’t just create memories. They give us new energy and momentum to move forward together.

We returned home with fresh ideas, stronger bonds, and a deeper appreciation for the people behind the projects. We are able to see even more how to create meaningful connections in the world of hybrid work. Not with a set days per week office mandates, but with memorable moments that build strong bonds.

Moments like these enhance our culture :people connect, learn, and feel part of something bigger than themselves.