A colleague visiting from the UK gave the Motion Team something increasingly rare: a chance to all be in the same room without an agenda. A core belief in teamwork means that the chance to be together, fully and physically, is worth crossing an ocean for.
The Presence Effect
The team dinner took place while Harvey aka Enhance was visiting from his native UK. For a team used to collaborating across time zones and chat threads, the outing was a reminder that to do our best work, we need the camaraderie, spontaneity, and shared rhythm that only happens face to face. Making time (and crossing vast distances) to gather in person keeps the team aligned with the work, the culture, and each other.
Stories that Stick
Over a delicious meal at one of the many celebrated eateries near our downtown Toronto HQ, conversations sparked about the year that was, projects that stretched us, and moments that stuck. More than project milestones, the surprises were the highlights: a first-time animation pulled off under pressure. A joke that got funnier with every retelling. A client curveball that turned into something better. These moments of connection and chemistry aren’t made in a virtual meeting.
The Pace We Set
In no rush at all, the team walked to and from dinner. This simple but intentional detail offered a change of pace. Movement for the body and space for the mind gave the team a chance to relax and reset. As Trevor aka Ideas put it, “The busier we get, the more difficult it is to find that time to just have camaraderie… and have conversations other than about the task at hand.”
Conclusion
Getting the Motion Team together took planning, coordination, and a transatlantic flight. For a team built on trust, momentum, and shared vision, the 2025 end of year Motion Team dinner was a toast to what they’ve built, and the ones they’ve built it with.
