Building Bonds Beyond The Office

The Importance of Events for Building Strong Company Culture 

In today’s remote and hybrid world, maintaining a strong company culture is more challenging than ever. As businesses adapt to changing ways of working, one thing remains clear: events are crucial for building and maintaining a sense of community, purpose, and connection among teams. We spoke to Amy Elliott, Head of Employee Engagement at Powwow, to delve deeper into why events are essential for shaping a company’s culture, especially in an increasingly fragmented workplace. 

Q: Amy, what role do events play in shaping a company’s culture? 

Amy: Events play a huge role in reinforcing the values and behaviours we want to see in the workplace. In a hybrid or remote setting, it can be hard to cultivate a strong sense of belonging. Events are a chance to step away from the day-to-day grind and focus on what really matters—relationships, recognition, and shared purpose. When designed thoughtfully, they bring people together in meaningful ways, breaking down silos and encouraging connection on a personal level, not just a professional one. 

Q: Can you explain a little more about how events help foster a sense of community? 

Amy: Community is all about belonging, and events offer the perfect opportunity to strengthen that. Whether it’s a team-building exercise, a fun competition, or a roundtable discussion, these shared experiences break down barriers and encourage employees to interact outside of their usual work context. People connect on a human level, which creates a much deeper bond than simply collaborating on tasks. When people feel they belong, they’re more engaged, motivated, and productive. 

Q: How can events help reinforce a company’s purpose and values? 

Amy: We often see companies focusing on business updates during meetings or events, but these moments should be about much more than the bottom line. Time spent together should be focused on what's important to employees—whether that’s sharing stories about how they embody the company’s values or having open discussions about what matters most to them. Events offer the space to showcase the company’s values in action, making them feel tangible and not just words on a wall. 

Q: And what about the hierarchy? Do events help level the playing field between junior team members and senior leaders? 

Amy: Events are fantastic equalisers. By encouraging leaders to participate in light-hearted activities or allowing junior team members to take the lead in certain tasks, we can remove the formal boundaries that can exist in the workplace. Imagine senior management joining in a hula hoop contest or leading a team in a collaborative art project—it humanises them and fosters a sense of camaraderie across all levels of the company. Everyone becomes part of the team, not defined by their title. 

Q: You mentioned creating space for employees to be heard. How do events achieve that? 

Amy: Creating open spaces for discussion is key. During events, we create an environment designed to allow active listening to employees, ensuring they feel valued and included in the decision-making process. These events become platforms for individuals to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences, which leads to stronger engagement. When employees feel heard, they’re more likely to contribute meaningfully to the culture, making it a collective effort rather than something top-down. 

Q: What are some of the ways events can showcase individual personalities and talents? 

Amy: Offsite events are a brilliant opportunity to let people’s personalities shine through. Not everyone thrives in the same environment, so we offer a variety of activities—some more competitive, others creative or meditative. We may have a high-energy team challenge for those who love a bit of healthy competition, while others might enjoy a pottery session or mindfulness workshop. It’s all about creating a space where employees can express themselves in ways that feel authentic to them, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse workplace culture. 

Q: What role does recognition play in events, and how can they help build a culture of appreciation? 

Amy: Recognition is essential for engagement and retention. Events give us the opportunity to publicly celebrate achievements, whether it’s hitting a big milestone or simply recognising someone’s contributions. When employees feel appreciated, it reinforces their connection to the company’s mission and makes them feel like their work matters. It’s also a great time to show gratitude—whether it’s thanking someone for their hard work or acknowledging a team’s collaborative efforts. 

Q: Finally, how do events create lasting momentum and reinforce a company’s culture long after the event is over? 

Amy: That’s the key to any great event—it shouldn’t just be a one-off experience. Events should inspire ongoing energy, foster new practices, and encourage employees to carry the positive vibes back into the office. We focus on creating experiences that have a lasting impact, whether it’s through team-building initiatives that spill over into everyday work or meaningful discussions that shape company policy. It’s about creating cultural momentum that extends far beyond the event itself.  Even better, when we can implement an entire event strategy – working alongside businesses to build an annual calendar for connection and communication. 

Closing Thoughts: 

Events are not just about fun and entertainment—they are powerful tools for building and nurturing a company’s culture. From fostering relationships to reinforcing values and creating opportunities for recognition, events play a crucial role in bringing employees together, building a sense of community, and creating a more engaged workforce. In today’s remote and hybrid world, they are more important than ever in ensuring that a company’s culture is strong, vibrant, and sustainable. 

If you need help in creating a meaningful event strategy to reinforce your company culture and align your teams, get in touch by emailing us at hello@powwowevents.co.uk