Last October 5th, we wrapped up Screenly’s 2025 Annual Summit in sunny Phuket, Thailand. With 12 team members in attendance, our biggest turnout yet, the week was filled with tropical adventures, cultural exchanges, and meaningful conversations that strengthened bonds beyond screens and time zones.

For some, this was a familiar tradition. For others, myself included, it was a first, the first time meeting colleagues in person after months or even years of virtual collaboration.

The Spirit of Gathering

Screenly has been a fully remote company for over a decade. While remote work gives us flexibility and reach, we’ve learned that physical connection is what sustains long-term culture. As Viktor, our CEO, likes to say, “Remote work works great, but only if you get people in the same room at least once a year.”

That principle is what drives our summits. They’re not corporate retreats filled with slide decks and presentations. They’re immersive experiences designed to remind us that behind every Slack message or GitHub comment is a real person with stories, humor, and quirks.

This year, our goal was simple: get everyone to Thailand safely, ensure the experience was smooth and enjoyable, and create an environment where meaningful connections could grow.

Culture Beyond Screens

One of the first things I noticed was how eager everyone was to share a piece of who they are. Conversations drifted naturally from tech to traditions, food, and family, from comparing time zones to comparing cuisines. We laughed about cultural quirks that sometimes get lost in text, and I found myself constantly thinking, “Ah, that’s why they sound like that online!”.

Cultural exchange: Bringing snacks from each other’s homeland

Work, Play, and Everything in Between

While our days weren’t packed with work sessions, we did carve out time for meaningful discussions. These moments helped us zoom out from daily tasks and align on bigger questions: Are we on the right track? What can we improve? What’s next for the company?

The relaxed setting in Phuket provided the perfect backdrop for both alignment and collaboration. Ideas surfaced during breakfast conversations, poolside chats, and evening strolls. It was a reminder that creativity doesn’t always happen in structured meetings. Sometimes, it happens between bites of Thai curry.

Outside of work, we dove headfirst into local culture. We explored Thailand through group activities, a boat trip on crystal waters, ziplining over lush greenery, a cooking class where we learned to make (and slightly burn) Pad Thai, yoga class, and a night at a cultural show.

Each experience added another layer of connection. Whether it was cheering each other on mid-zipline or checking each other’s output in the cooking class, these shared moments became the foundation for stronger collaboration back home.

The Anatomy of a Screenly Summit

Summits aren’t spontaneous getaways. It’s a carefully planned project that begins six to eight months in advance to ensure a seamless experience for everyone. This is a rough guide on how we plan ours – the key things we think about before heading off on a summit trip.

1. Setting the Dates

We share several possible date ranges with the team to find what works best for most people. Scheduling during off-peak travel seasons helps manage costs, avoid crowds, and avoid clashing with family / school holidays.

2. Choosing the Location and Venue

Accessibility is a top priority, especially with our globally distributed team. Once a country is selected, we look for accommodations that balance privacy and togetherness. Full-service villas work best, offering private rooms and shared spaces for meals and meetings.

3. Timing and Weather

We consider the season carefully. Favorable weather makes activities and travel more enjoyable, helping the team make the most of the summit experience.

4. Visas and Travel Documents

Some team members require visas, so we prepare supporting documents in advance. Company introduction letters and accommodation confirmations make the process smoother and stress-free.

5. Transportation and Logistics

Pre-arranged transfers and reliable ride-hailing options keep the trip efficient and relaxed. Smooth logistics allow everyone to focus on connecting rather than coordinating.

6. Activities and Flexibility

The key is balance. One or two group activities are enough to bring everyone together, while optional outings or rest days allow personal flexibility. This mix ensures both meaningful interaction and downtime.

The Cultural Impact

Every summit changes the team dynamic in ways that no policy or Slack message ever could. After spending a week together, communication becomes smoother, empathy deepens, and collaboration accelerates. You no longer see names in a chat, you see the faces and memories behind them.

What’s most striking is how natural these shifts feel. The trust built over shared meals and laughter carries into how we tackle projects later. Disagreements become easier to navigate, feedback lands softer, and the sense of shared purpose grows stronger.

As someone who joined as a non-developer in a tech company, I found the summit especially illuminating. I saw firsthand how cross-functional conversations between engineers, designers, and operations create balance and innovation. The summit wasn’t just about bonding; it was about understanding how each role fits into the bigger picture.

Looking Ahead

Like any project, we’ve definitely had our share of learnings. As someone who organized the summit for the first time, I discovered a lot throughout the preparation process. Next year’s summit will carry these lessons forward as we continue to focus on intentional planning, meaningful experiences, and creating environments that allow people to bring their authentic selves, whether online or off.

A Tradition Worth Keeping

Since 2016, our summits have taken us across the world, from Croatia to Portugal, Turkey, and now Thailand. Each destination adds a new chapter to the Screenly story.

What started as small gatherings among a handful of early team members has grown into a defining part of our culture. The settings may change, but the goal remains the same: to celebrate who we are, realign where we’re headed, and remind ourselves that even in a fully remote world, connection is what keeps everything running.

As a first-time organizer, I came into this summit with nerves and spreadsheets. I left with a sense of gratitude and perspective that at its core, Screenly’s greatest strength isn’t just our technology or systems, but the people who bring them to life.

And for one unforgettable week in Phuket, we weren’t just coworkers. We were teammates, travelers, and friends, together at last.