Our First Global Offsite: Converge 2022

It’s important to foster community and collaboration when building a generational company.

This past November, Spotnana hosted our global employee base in Jaipur, India, for Converge, our first global offsite. Converge strengthened connections between Spotters across teams, departments, and countries. 

Spotnana’s travel technology helps our customers benefit from shared in-person experiences, and it was incredible to experience how travel builds stronger human connections first hand. 

Connecting with each other across continents

Since its founding in 2020, Spotnana has been a global company. We currently have offices in the U.S., UK, and India. While Spotters have gathered for smaller team offsites, this was the first opportunity for everyone to get together. Many people shared that it was incredible to meet people they’ve worked with for years for the first time in person.

Nearly 200 Spotters, traveling from 29 countries around the world and 14 cities in India, joined us at Converge. Employees enjoyed the chance to align on goals and strategy for 2023, see the city of Jaipur, and spend three productive days with their coworkers preparing to take our company on the next step in its journey.

On the first day of Converge, Spotters gathered in the Sapphire Ballroom of the Jaipur Marriott Hotel for our opening sessions. This marked the first time in Spotnana history that we all shared a room together.

Spotters gather in the Sapphire Ballroom

“It was powerful to see everyone together in the main ballroom for the first time, and it brought all of our work full circle,” said Brett Leslie, Director of Sales. “It was wonderful to meet the people we work with daily, and see the power behind what we are doing and how quickly we are doing it.”

Executive Chairman Steve Singh and Co-Founder and CEO Sarosh Waghmar told the story of how they met over lunch in New York. After that, members of our executive S-Team spoke about our progress and our opportunity to transform the travel industry. Karandeep Anand, CPO at Brex, also shared a firsthand account of how Spotnana is creating unparalleled travel experiences for corporations.

“I left our Converge sessions so excited and inspired for 2023. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with my colleagues across the globe and ensure alignment on our vision and execution plan for 2023,” said Jessica Bartlett, VP of People. “Spotnana is a company with not only amazing potential, but also amazing people. It’s people that build companies and I am so proud of my colleagues and to be part of Spotnana.”

Exploring the sights of Jaipur

Spotters ride a tuk tuk through Jaipur

Jaipur, known as the “Pink City” for its vibrant buildings, presented a variety of opportunities for urban exploration, historical learning, and cultural immersion. Spotters explored the astronomical observatories of Jai Singh at Jantar Mantar and walked the halls and courtyards of City Palace. Spotters also explored other attractions in India with colleagues they met at Converge.

“I had an incredible time meeting so many of my associates, especially during a visit to the Taj Mahal,” said Juan Dunlap, Customer Experience Consultant.

On the final night of Converge, Spotters gathered under starlight at Dera Amer to explore market stalls, interact with local wildlife, and enjoy a beautiful dinner lit by a crackling fire. For many, the visit to Dera Amer represented the culmination of many wonderful, new experiences at Converge.

“The closing dinner at Dera Amer was awesome,” said JoJo Busalacchi, Customer Experience Consultant. “My favorite moments were personal encounters with elephants and camels, turban and scarf fittings, palm readings, and henna application.”

Bonding through global meals

The chance to gather as a company in India presented the opportunity to share every meal with team members from different departments. Spotnana’s Co-Founder and CEO Sarosh Waghmar even fulfilled a lifelong dream of cooking a meal for the entire company. Together with the staff of the Jaipur Marriott Hotel, Sarosh cooked a buffet-style meal for hundreds of Spotters at Converge.

After a delicious meal of Mutton Biryani and Sarosh’s signature Basque Cheesecake, Spotters enjoyed an energetic dance night hosted by local dance coaches.

“I loved the dance party after dinner,” said Gerelis Feliz, People Operations Specialist. “I learned some Indian dance moves, and it was amazing to see all of my coworkers having fun and dancing with each other!”

As we continue to think about how we are modernizing the travel industry in 2023, it’s important to remember the unparalleled experiences we shared in Jaipur and the new friendships that emerged from Converge.

“It was difficult to choose the most memorable moment, because there were too many,” said Cassandraa Antao, Travel Operations Administrator. “Converge has given me so many beautiful and happy memories that will remain with me forever, and I am so grateful for the experience.”