Building a Winning Company Culture, One Scavenger Hunt at a Time

Building a Winning Company Culture, One Scavenger Hunt at a Time

This year’s third Jamboree was a celebration of passion and purpose at TTT Studios! Over two days of dynamic activities, our entire team—designers, engineers, project managers, sales, marketing, HR, and leadership—came together to rediscover the ‘why’ behind our work and reconnect with what inspires us. Highlights included talks from our CEO, well-being consultant and artist Paula Toledo on the power of wonder, writer and director Stephen Hall on creative problem-solving, and VJ Terzic, human connection strategist. Plus, our annual scavenger hunt, pottery, kayaking, and a memorable boat trip to cap it all off!

We asked the team to share their favourite Jamboree moments. Here’s what they had to say: 

What was your favourite moment from the Jamboree? 

“One of my favourite moments from the Jamboree wasn’t a specific event or workshop, but rather the conversations I had with my coworkers. I heard all kinds of stories, from past adventures to work experiences, and it made me realize just how much I enjoy working with this group of people."
Rosa Rezaei, Backend Developer 

Which activity stood out the most for you, and why?

“For me, the most memorable was the scavenger hunt because I used to do something like this when I was younger and went to summer camps, I really enjoyed it, was super fun. And the emotions that we had when the winner was announced were awesome! The second favourite was the sunset boat; it was just amazing and very beautiful.”
Maryna Herasymova, Quality Assurance Analyst 

Photo credit to Threshold Studios

What was the most impactful lesson or message from the speakers? 

“One of the most impactful parts of Jamboree for me was the unconventional approach of the Wonder Gathering. Connecting through music brought conversations to life in a unique way, and the discussions at my table took an unexpected but meaningful direction. However, what stood out the most was Stephen's workshop on finding the shared "why." His personal anecdotes and the practical frameworks he presented were incredibly insightful. My key takeaway is the importance of balancing personal needs with team needs. I also loved the Simon Sinek quote he reshared: "Happiness comes from what we do. Fulfillment comes from why we do it."”
Lena Hottner, UX/UI Designer 

Photo credit to Threshold Studios

“At Jamboree 2024, one of the most impactful moments for me was when VJ introduced the topic of childhood dreams. We all had dreams when we were younger, but as time passes, only a few manage to become reality. VJ shared his story: he once dreamed of becoming a teacher. However, life's circumstances led him down a different path as he needed to focus on earning a living. Yet, he never forgot his dream. When the opportunity arose, he started a consulting firm, where he "teaches" people how to better understand themselves. Although it isn't the traditional idea of a teacher, in many ways, his dream came true through this unconventional approach.
As for me, I once aspired to work in the automobile industry, but life took me into software development instead. For a while, I felt my dream slipping away, but when Tesla introduced autopilot technology, I saw a new possibility—a way to merge my passion for cars with my skills in software. Perhaps one day, I'll be able to bring my childhood dream to life by combining both worlds.”
Gary Wu, Backend Developer 

What was the funniest or most unexpected thing that happened? 

“I had an absolute blast at the TTT Jamboree, where I got to put my Super Dad pancake-making powers to good use! I introduced the staff to my special mango matcha pancakes, and they were a hit. I was also really impressed by Victoria’s lightning-fast waffle-making skills, and David—despite blowing a fuse—whipped up some incredible sausages. It was such a fun experience, and I loved being part of it!”
Chris Hobbs, President 

“Jamboree 2024 at TTT Studios was packed with laughs, splashes, and... unexpected audits? This year, we split the crew into two groups: the kayaking enthusiasts (all 23 of us who felt the need for speed) and the pottery squad (12 wise souls who preferred to stay dry and creative). The kayakers had a blast navigating the waters, but, as tradition would have it, one of our team members decided kayaking in the water was more their style. Yes, for the second year in a row, someone took a tumble—at this point, we might as well schedule an official “falling in” segment for 2025.
Then came the infamous scavenger hunt. Excitement levels were high as we announced the winning team, only to discover a plot twist; after a score audit (and a few squinted looks at the tally sheet), a different team was declared the true winner! Let’s just say there was a lot of “friendly” banter after that."
Victoria Niemiets, HR & Operations Manager 

Photo credit to Threshold Studios

How did this event help you connect with your colleagues? 

“I did the pottery class, and it's amazing how creative and artistic we all were, despite being from different backgrounds and fields of expertise. We each had a little story as to why we created our 'artifacts' and we were able to learn a bit about each other as the session went on. I honestly wish we had more time!”
Richel Tong, Creative Director

“I really enjoyed the session hosted by VJ! It offered a rare glimpse into my teammates’ childhood dreams and aspirations, leading to some enriching conversations afterward. This session made me feel closer to my team and helped me reflect on my personal journey and how it aligns with our shared goals at work.”
Josephine Wong, COO

How did the Jamboree help you grow personally or professionally?

“Jamboree has been an excellent opportunity for me to connect more deeply with teammates I don’t usually work with, especially those who are remote or not based in Vancouver. It fosters a stronger sense of shared direction and purpose, which is vital in a service-based company where that alignment sometimes feels unclear. I also enjoy the engaging and diverse speakers who offer valuable insights, and the event itself feels like a mental reset, helping us step away from the day-to-day stresses. Plus, activities like the scavenger hunt allow us to tap into our creativity in a fun and unique way.
Jamboree strengthens our team bonds and shared focus and equips us with fresh perspectives and renewed energy to approach our work with greater creativity and purpose.”
Liam McLean, Director of Client Partnerships

Photo credit to Threshold Studios
“Jamboree was an amazing experience for both personal and professional growth. I got to connect more with my teammates, learn from speakers who focused on problem-solving and collaboration, and exchange fresh ideas. I walked away with some valuable skills that I’m excited to use in my day-to-day work. Personally, the boat ride around the city was a highlight, and winning the competitive annual Scavenger Hunt with my team made it even better. Overall, it was an inspiring and truly enjoyable event!"
Tom Hall, Project Manager
 
Photo credito to Threshold Studios

What are you most excited about for next year's Jamboree? 

“One of my favourite memories is the electrifying atmosphere as everyone came together in the same room. The anticipation, happiness, and shared excitement of reconnecting and bonding as a team created a truly special moment. It was a reminder of the incredible energy our collective presence brings to the company.
As I look forward to next year’s jamboree, I eagerly anticipate that feeling. There’s something magical about gathering, connecting, and celebrating as one team.”
David Hobbs, CFO

Photo credit to Threshold Studios

The 2024 Jamboree was a beautiful reminder of our shared purpose and the amazing people who make TTT Studios special. We’re already looking forward to next year’s adventures and creating more memories together!