There’s something about getting out of the office that makes it easier to step back, look at the bigger picture, and think about what’s next.
That’s exactly what we set out to do during our team retreat at Grand View Lodge in Minnesota. For a few days, we swapped our usual desks and deadlines for strategy sessions, big conversations, team challenges, good food, and plenty of time together.
We spent our time looking back at what we’ve built, getting honest about where we want to go, and thinking through what it will take to make the next version of The Sampson House even better.
Turning the Page
We kicked things off Sunday afternoon with a look at the current state of TSH and where we want to be one year from now.
It wasn’t just about setting goals. We talked about what success actually looks like for our team, our clients, and the work we put into the world. From there, we jumped into a Big Goals Sprint to start putting some of those ideas into motion.
It was a pretty fitting way to start the retreat: take a minute to appreciate how far we’ve come, then start thinking bigger.
Shaping the Story
Monday was all about figuring out where we’re headed and what might get in the way.
We started the morning with our 2027 agency strategic planning session, talking through priorities, opportunities, challenges, and the bigger picture for where we want to take TSH.
We also spent time on something that matters just as much as our external strategy: how we can make TSH better from the inside out.
What could make our processes smoother? Where can we improve? What would make our team experience stronger? What do we want our culture to look like as we continue to grow?
After a full morning of strategy and big conversations, it was time to step away from the whiteboards and get a little more competitive.
We participated in a scavenger hunt that took us around Grand View Lodge for an afternoon of team building activities, challenges, teamwork, and probably a little more competitiveness than necessary. It was a fun reminder that some of our best work happens when we’re working together, thinking on our feet, and having a good time while we do it.
Once the work was done for the day, we headed to Char Steakhouse for dinner and spent the evening enjoying time together outside of the office. We also want to note how good the food was. I mean, what's better than steaks!?
Writing What’s Next
Tuesday shifted our focus toward the experience we want to create moving forward.
We started by asking a big question: What does exceptional look like?
That conversation led into a deeper look at the TSH client experience. From the first interaction to the final deliverable and everything in between, we challenged ourselves to think about how we can continue raising the bar for the people we work with.
Then came the Dream Client Challenge.
We broke out of our usual way of thinking and imagined the kinds of clients, projects, and opportunities we’d love to pursue. It was part strategy, part creativity, and a good reminder that sometimes you have to give yourself permission to think bigger before you can figure out how to get there.
More Than Meetings
Of course, a team retreat isn’t all strategy decks and sticky notes.
Some of the best moments happened in between the planned sessions: conversations over meals, laughing together, exploring the lodge, relaxing after a full day, and getting to know each other a little better outside of our normal work routines.
That time together matters.
We spend a lot of time at TSH collaborating, solving problems, creating things, and pushing each other to do better work. Getting out of the office gave us the chance to strengthen those relationships, reconnect with the team, and think about the kind of company culture we want to continue building at TSH.
The Next Page Is Ours To Write.
By Wednesday morning, it was time to pack up and head back to Sioux Falls. We left Grand View Lodge with a lot of notes, a lot of ideas, and a clearer picture of where we want to go next.
But more than anything, we left reminded of why we do what we do. TSH has grown a lot over the years, and we’re proud of what we’ve built. At the same time, we’re not interested in simply doing more of the same. We’re looking ahead.
To better work. Better experiences. Bigger ideas. Stronger relationships. And whatever comes next.
