.png)
Every year, Test Double does something a bit magical: We swap our virtual offices for a real-life rendezvous, stepping out from behind our screens to meet in the flesh.
This year’s backdrop? The ever-sparkling Las Vegas, where more than 100 of us—engineers, product managers, and the internal support team alike—converged for two days of serious fun mixed with some serious business.
Here’s a peek behind the scenes of a Test Double retreat. For more photos, check out our LinkedIn post.
The heart of retreat: More than just meetings
Big props to Christine McCallum-Randalls and Dustin Tinney—these two turned standard corporate fare on its head. We didn't just check boxes of a corporate event. We recharged, connected, and deepened our commitment to our mission and each other.
Imagine diving into tech talks and panel discussions that could go toe-to-toe with the best of any conference circuit, capped off with a transparent fireside chat with our CEO and an insightful Q&A with our board members.
These weren’t your run-of-the-mill, nod-along discussions. We’re talking deep, meaningful conversations that you just don’t get in your everyday Slack channels.
The engagement was so dynamic that it spilled over into Slack, where participants — both on-site and remote — kept the dialogue buzzing.
Moments that pop
But what really makes a Test Double retreat stand out?
Sure, the professional headshots were slick and the group dinners on point, but it’s those spontaneous, "only-at-Test-Double" moments that really pop:
Vegas sprint: Six of our own, sprinting through the neon-lit streets of Vegas in the Rock 'n' Roll running series, with a sideline of cheering Double Agents turning the heat up on encouragement.
Trail time: Then there was the switch from syntax to scenery as many agents chose to hit the trails at Red Rocks Canyon and Blue Diamond. Bike rides and hikes transformed those rugged landscapes into our coolest breakout sessions yet.
Showtime extravaganza: Trips to see the latest shows at the Sphere and jaw-dropping performances by Cirque du Soleil sprinkled a little extra Vegas magic into the mix.
Synth sessions: And you can’t forget the game night that spontaneously turned into a full-blown synthesizer jam. Imagine a room alive with the buzz of cables, the clack of keyboards, and the sheer vibe of impromptu music. It was every bit as awesome as it sounds.
All these experiences were up for grabs, completely optional, and coordinated over Slack. Everyone got to choose their own adventures, which meant we all had the freedom to dive into what excited us most.
Every talk, every trail, every tune played a part in pulling us together, making us a tighter, more synced crew ready to take on whatever comes next.
Voices from the retreat
Pam-Marie Guzzo, a senior software consultant: “You know it's a good retreat when my biggest complaint is that I didn't have enough time to talk to everyone I wanted to.”
Matt Boldt, a senior software consultant: “It can be awkward to join a circle of strangers and introduce yourself, but I never felt anything but welcome with this group.”
Tammy Lawlor, an engagement partner: “The talks at this retreat are way better than most conference talks I’ve heard.”
Dion Utt, a product manager: “I'm charged up coming out of the retreat. It was great meeting so many great people. I appreciate all the new perspectives and relationships I've gained.”
The takeaway
As we all jetted back to our respective corners of the U.S. and Canada, the consensus was clear: We were more connected, more inspired, and more driven than before.
Seeing our teammates outside the usual boxes of Slack or Google Meets really drives home how awesome these folks are — kind, inclusive, sharp, and downright engaging. It’s these real, human connections that supercharge our collaboration and enthusiasm across all our remote workspaces.
Here’s to unplugged guitars, unscheduled jam sessions, and unexpected insights.
Interested in being part of something special? Check out our Culture & Careers page to learn more about how you can join us on our mission to improve the way the world builds software.
