Life at an association management company is fast-paced. With multiple clients to serve, there’s always something to keep staff busy. That’s why the team at Managing Matters, Inc., in Toronto, made time to get away one day in September, a chance to reflect on the company’s work, think big about its future, and bond in a more relaxed setting.

“Having the opportunity to engage as a team outside of the office allowed us to strengthen our working relationships and have fun at the same time,” says Jenny Faucher, Managing Matters president and founder.

The group of 20 staff started their day in Niagara Falls, Ontario, with a facilitated workshop to discuss culture and values, as well as how each person on the team contributes to the company’s success. “We took the opportunity to strategize as a company and spend some time focusing on planning for the next five years,” Faucher says.

For the afternoon, Managing Matters asked its friends at Niagara Falls Tourism to guide the team toward fun experiences. The first stop was an up-close encounter with the falls on a Hornblower cruise. They followed that with a tour and wine-making tutorial at Trius Winery at Hillebrand.

Maddy Marchildon, former director of association management services, says the outing was greeted with blue skies and was “a great bonding experience for the team.”

(Managing Matters, Inc.)