Imagine…
Your morning starts like any other work day: coffee in hand, pre-reads completed, a full-day meeting agenda on the boardroom screen. Your company’s CEO kicks-off the meeting as normal, when suddenly someone bursts into the boardroom unannounced.

You realize that you recognize this person who hijacked the meeting is none other than Todd Smalls: Servus Credit Union’s #1 Branch Manager! Along with everyone else in the room, the CEO looks as surprised as you are by this unannounced interruption. Todd Smalls tells you it’s time to shut your laptop, pack up your belongings, and make your way to a charter bus that is parked out front and waiting for you.

You don’t know it yet, but for the next 7 hours your day is about to be filled with surprises and adventure as part of a secret employee team building experience celebrating a major milestone that this specific group of colleagues has accomplished. The day is going to be filled with the unexpected, once in a lifetime moments, and laughter, all the while reinforcing strong leadership, teamwork, and celebrating remarkable accomplishments as a team.

At the end of the day, when you arrive back at corporate headquarters, you feel recognized, appreciated, and have a stronger bond with your colleagues. It’s a good thing there was a photographer present, otherwise your family might not believe all the things you experienced in a single impromptu day out of the office!

The Event Details:

Tycoon Events recently supported Service Credit Union with an employee surprise milestone celebration. The goal of the day was to surprise 30 x attendees with an unforgettable day of crescendoing surprise experiences, while highlighting some of the unique things Edmonton has to offer.

First Stop: Rogers Place

  • Todd Smalls, Servus Credit Union’s (fictional) #1 Branch Manager, played by Calgary-based actor David Haysom, announced that he was taking the group to visit his new branch open at Rogers Place.
  • When the charter bus arrived at Rogers Place, it drove straight into the loading dock to emulate the same experience a professional hockey team would have when entering the building. The Oilers mascot, Hunter, greeted attendees as they got off the bus.
  • Everyone was surprised to hear there would not be a branch tour but instead, a private behind-the-scenes tour of Rogers Place including: the Hall of Fame, Away Team Dressing Room, Stars Green Room, and time to walk around the arena and learn how the team at Rogers Place executes concerts and events. 

Second Stop: Lunch in the Summit Suite

  • The private tour ended at a set of elevators where Todd Smalls invited everyone for lunch, hosted in one of Daryll Katz’s entertainment suites.
  • During lunch, Oilers alumni Craig MacTavish surprised attendees. He shared stories of successful leadership and fond memories from his time as an Oilers player and coach. Afterwards, the floor was opened up for a Q&A. Attendees asked insightful questions about teamwork and what it meant to coach the Oilers during the Stanley Cup run in 2006. 

And Then: An Improvised Tour of Edmonton

  • After an exciting morning, attendees boarded the charter bus and assumed they were headed back to the office. However, Todd Smalls had another surprise up his sleeve and invited two improv performers from Rapid Fire Theatre onto the bus.
  • While driving from downtown to the south side, Rapid Fire delivered a hilarious improvised tour of Edmonton while playing improv games. Attendees were entertained, and importantly, distracted while headed to the next secret location. 

Save the Best for Last: The Grand Finale

  • The build-up of surprises throughout the day finished with a big finale at RAD Torque Raceway with a private buy-out of the race track and Thunder Alley car museum. 
  • Drivers from Track Junkies were ready with their racecars to give attendees top speed ride-alongs.  
  • While attendees waited for their turn for a ride-along, they:
    • Spent time learning about the history of racing in Edmonton,
    • Admiring vintage cars,
    • Getting competitive with their peers on a hot wheels race track, and
    • Were surprised by helicopter charters of the River Valley.
  • Appetizers and a selection of specialty mocktails were served.
  • Between the ride-alongs and helicopter charters, guests had the opportunity to get custom-drawn team and individual portraits by a local caricature artist. The pages were custom branded with token images of the unique experiences from the day. 
  • The event concluded with a charter back to the corporate office, where the team shared their highlights from the day and the event was connected back to staff appreciation. As each guest departed the bus, they received an Edmonton Oilers puck signed by Craig MacTavish.