COVID restrictions in 2020 and early 2021 meant that many new DMC employees weren’t able to have a welcome party immediately. Fortunately, a decrease in restrictions in mid-2021 initiated a series of fun activities at DMC’s Houston office, as team members who joined during the height of the pandemic took their turns to celebrate joining DMC and have fun with coworkers out of the office.

Casimir Smith‘s welcome party was a part of this recent series. He decided to recreate his favorite Houston Activity Fund event, the Tour De Houston. This event consisted of a day-long bike ride around the city, with several fun stops along the way. This time around, the Houston team used DMC’s monthly event budget, the Activity Fund, making Tour De Houston 2 an Activity Fund,Welcome Party hybrid.

Tour de Houston 2

The Houston team met on a Sunday morning to begin their 12-mile ride around the city. 11 DMCers attended, making this Houston’s biggest Activity Fund event to date.

According to Casimir, there aren’t many bike-friendly places in Houston. However, the team was up for the challenge and managed to develop a route with plenty of food, drinks, and fun along the way.

Their first stop was Market Square Park for coffee and snacks. Next, the party stopped at Saint Arnolds Brewery for lunch and drinks before hitting the road again. Each stop lasted about an hour, with the exception of the final stop in Highland Park. To reach the bar, the group rode against 30 mph winds! Their perseverance was rewarded with a long rest, more refreshment, and celebration.

Getting Started at DMC

Now that he’s a developed member of DMC, Casimir reflects on his start at DMC.

“I had the quintessential COVID-19 office start mid-2020: Filled with uncertainty and starting at a new office at a time when everyone was already knee deep into working from home.”

“At that point, most activity funds went toward Zoom events, and getting to know people was a slower experience. When the office opened back up, I got to meet a lot of people for the first time. That was a big transition.

“In a lot of ways, it’s easier to appreciate the party and DMC’s culture all the more. It makes me appreciate being able to be with people in the office a little more than I otherwise would.”

“Workwise, big props to Elizabeth on answering all of my questions and helping me to develop and  to reach a place where I’m a lot more independent as an employee.”

We will be on the lookout for Tour de Houston part 3!

Learn more about the Houston office and  DMC’s company culture.

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The Invitation

When it comes to planning a DMC Activity Fund Event, we do our best to add as much character as possible. It became a new DMC tradition to make the invites true to the theme. When it came to the decree that DMC was going to the Renaissance Faire, a themed invite was a must.
 
“Good morrow, fine folk of DMC,

Your presence has been requested at the Bristol Renaissance Faire.  If thou art so inclined to partake in this event, thou shalt be transported back in time to when knights nobly jousted for the honor and glory. Where Cobblers and Blacksmiths peddle their wares in the village squares. And where strolling with a turkey leg in hand is no strange occurrence. I tell ye truth, tis not an event to be missed. Doth thou wish to get on a caravan (bus) with DMCers and join in the merriment??

Prithee use the voting buttons if you’d like to partake.”
 

The Preparation

When we decided that we would be partaking in Renaissance merriment, it was obvious that we needed to do proper preparation for the event. The first step was to make sure everyone was familiar with what going to a Renaissance Faire would be like. A happy hour was scheduled to make sure we were properly educated. We watched some “research” videos to learn what to expect at a Ren Faire and made sure to pull up the map of the fairgrounds. We also pulled up the show schedule to note which shows were not to be missed and which had enough appeal for good group photo opportunities.
 
The next step was to make sure we had proper attire. A group of new hires who came to Chicago for their three weeks of training, surprisingly, did not pack Renaissance attire. We had to make sure everyone had something to wear. After doing some Pinterest research and storyboarding our characters, we headed to the thrift store. It was a mad dash to find the perfect items before the store closed, but because of our prep work, everyone knew exactly what they were looking for, and we made full outfits in 45 minutes.
 

  

The Transport

Our chariot arrived at the office around 9 am. After our stomachs were full with the morning bagels and coffee, we boarded the caravan. Everyone was dressed in their medieval garb and brimming with anticipation of the day’s excitement. We took roll call with a “Huzzah” from each participant, followed by a brief vocabulary lesson to ensure we spoke properly throughout the day.

The Bristol Renaissance Faire is only a short carriage ride from the office. No road trip would be complete without a soundtrack. In our extensive Renaissance research, a wonderful minstrel was brought to our attention. Bardcore, or Tavernwave, is a musical genre that became popular in 2020, consisting of medieval-inspired remakes of popular songs. Our ride was serenaded with the melodies of Candy Shop and Bad Romance played on the lute and harpsichord. If you need a new soundtrack for the day, I would highly recommend trying this Bardcore Playlist.

The Celebration

The day was, in a word, magical. The Faire was everything that we could have wanted. We ate turkey legs and ice cream. We laughed at comedians, sang with minstrels, and watched in awe at aerial artists and acrobats. We even joined the crowd in cheering for our knight in the Royal Joust. Because we were prepared, we all had enough sunscreen and water to keep everyone comfortable in the gorgeous August heat.

We bid the Faire anon and boarded our caravan back to the office. With the day’s festivities and sun weighing on us, many dosed. Lulled to sleep by a harpsichord version of Eye of the Tiger and Wonderwall. Twas a great time for all involved. 

For some it was within their first three weeks of working at DMC. Can you think of a better way of bonding with your coworkers? I cannot.

 
Learn more about DMC’s company culture.

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Events range in activities like going back in time to the Roaring 20’s, giving gifts with Operation Santa, working out at SoulCycle, or climbing the walls at a local gym. While working remotely, we even started a OneDMC Activity fund full of virtual events like whiskey tasting, pumpkin carving, and making pizzas together.
 
Here’s how DMC Boston has been reconnecting with some fun activity fund events!

Kayaking on Lake Chaubunagungamaug

A few members of the Boston team ventured out Lake Chaubunagungamaug for some kayaking.

A Game of Pickleball

For their next event, the Boston team met for a fun game of Pickleball. It’s a sport that combines aspects of tennis, badminton, and ping pong.

Sushi Night

The team made the most of patio weather season in Boston when they met to enjoy a sushi dinner.

Bowling 

Engineers love some friendly competition. The Boston team showed off their bowling skills at American Flatbread.

Sh!tfaced Shakespeare

Next, the group headed to The Rockwell Theater for some laughs at Sh!tfaced Shakespeare’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Apple Picking

To ring in the autumn, the Boston team took a trip to Carlson Orchards to pick, eat, and juggle some fresh apples. 

Welcome Party – K1 Racing

It is a DMC tradition to host a welcome party for each new employee. It helps new members can get to know their teams in a fun setting. The Boston team recently welcomed their newest teammates with K1 racing! 

Despite the challenges of 2021, our Boston office managed to get together and enjoy some bonding and fun activities. We look forward to seeing what the Boston team has in store for 2022!  

Learn more about the DMC Boston Office and DMC’s culture. 

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Events range from activities like going back in time to the Roaring 20’s, giving gifts with Operation Santa, working out at SoulCyle, or climbing the walls at a local gym. While working remotely, we even started a OneDMC Activity fund full of virtual events like whiskey tasting, pumpkin carving, and making pizzas together. Let’s take a minute to zoom in on a what our Dallas has been up to Summer and Fall 2021.

Katy Trail

Our Dallas office is located right on the Katy Trail downtown. This running path is a great place to take a jog, bike ride, or a short stroll from our Dallas office to one of our favorite happy hour spots, Ice House.

Cidercade

While DMC Dallas is one of our smaller offices, there is no shortage of fun events when it comes to this team. Their social schedule was packed with awesome events over the last few months. The team started their summer with a visit to the Cidercade where they got their fill of Ms. Pacman, pinball, and shooting some hoops with NBA Jams.

Whirlyball, Top Golf, and Axe Throwing

Then the Dallas team visited the latest group activity crazes: Axe throwing, Top Golf, and Whirlyball. Now, you may be asking, what is Whirlyball? Well, imagine playing basketball, but with a lacrosse stick and wiffle ball. And you’re in bumper cars. That’s Whirlyball. It’s a DMC favorite.

Endless Sushi and a Broadway Show

Are you looking for a great dining experience or a theatrical event? DMC Dallas was up for both. Filling up with dinner of endless sushi? Done. What about finally getting to wear the sports jacket you bought before the pandemic? DMC Dallas got fancy to go see the Broadway musical “Wicked” while it was in town at Fair Park.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

If exploring the Perot Museum of Nature and Science while tasting local brews is more your style, DMC Dallas also did that.

It’s one of our Core Values that we “Have Fun” at DMC. DMC Dallas definitely lived this core value with their summer and fall of activity fund events. I can’t wait to see what other exciting events they have in store for the future. 

Learn more about the DMC Dallas office and DMC’s company culture. 
 

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