Another Year, Another Successful Company Retreat
Each year, our team has the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day demands of our work and spend a few days together in one place. Our retreats are more than a chance to reconnect; they give us time and space to dig into the work itself, troubleshoot challenges, streamline processes, and, in recent years, learn firsthand how new products and technologies are developed through visits with the manufacturers behind them.
This year, sponsored by Zaniboni Lighting, HLS headed to Clearwater Beach, Florida. Between technical discussions, product demonstrations, and brainstorming sessions, we had a rare opportunity to look beyond the finished products we specify and see the people, ideas, and processes behind them.
In addition to Zaniboni's lighting innovations, we were excited to learn more about BubblyNet and its approach to wireless lighting controls and connected technology. Candid conversations gave us a better understanding not only of what each product does, but why it was developed, how it has evolved, what problems it is designed to solve, and where it fits into the larger design process. By the end of the trip, we had pages of notes and a deeper insight into the manufacturers we work with. We came away with new questions, ideas to bring back to the office, and a clearer sense of the latest forces shaping our industry. As we compared notes and talked about what stood out, a few themes surfaced.
One of the clearest takeaways from the Zaniboni visit was a deeper appreciation for what happens long before a luminaire reaches a project.
Seeing the manufacturing process firsthand and hearing directly from the people designing, engineering, and refining these products, gave us a better appreciation for the extensive thought and research that goes into each phase.
From lean manufacturing and product standardization to circadian lighting research and creative problem-solving, the visit reinforced that innovation isn’t always about size or scale. Often, it comes from curiosity, rigor, and a willingness to solve familiar problems differently.
Just as inspiring was seeing how Zaniboni has maintained the feel and care of a family business as it continues to grow; an approach that comes through in both its products and its relationships with stakeholders.
The retreat also created space to step back from individual projects and look at how we work together as a firm.
Our project management workshop led to practical conversations about communication, workflow, consistency, and the tools we use to keep projects moving.
Most importantly, the process gave everyone a voice in identifying what works and where there are opportunities for improvement.
Coming away with shared tools and a commitment to keep working through unresolved challenges, the team turned a few days of discussion into changes that can make our everyday work more efficient and effective.
As a team spread across nine cities, simply being together is an opportunity in itself. The retreat made room for the conversations that don’t always happen over Zoom or Slack, from quickly working through a project question across the table to learning more about a colleague’s interests, family, or personality. Those informal interactions help strengthen relationships and offer a full picture of the people behind the screens. Time together also reinforced something we already know: our differences in perspective, experience, and personality are part of what makes our team stronger.
The amazing meals, white sand beaches, warm ocean water, spectacular sunset views, and dolphin sightings certainly didn't hurt either!
Perhaps the broader takeaway from the retreat was a renewed sense of curiosity. Whether exploring new technology, learning about circadian research and controls, seeing innovative approaches to manufacturing, or questioning our own processes, the team was consistently looking ahead.
The experience reinforced the importance of staying engaged with the evolving industry and of looking beyond the biggest or most familiar names for new ideas and solutions. For HLS, that curiosity is more than professional development; it helps us ask better questions, make better recommendations, and continue raising the level of work we bring to our clients.
Comments