US team away days, 2026
At Purdie Pascoe, we know that strong teams are built through shared experiences as much as through day-to-day work. Our recent US team building event in Orlando, Florida was a great opportunity to see that in action. As we celebrate two years since the opening of our US office, the trip also offered a moment to reflect on how much this close-knit group of researchers has achieved over that time. The team has built real momentum, made meaningful progress, and developed the trust that underpins the way we work together as a business. Across a packed few days of sunshine and fun activities, there was space not only to have fun and reconnect, but also to recognize how far the team has come
On the first day, the team headed out to Kings Landing and Emerald Cut for a kayaking trip through the springs, surrounded by striking blue water and scenery that felt more like a jungle than Central Florida. Paired up in tandem kayaks, they spent two hours navigating the water with their guide, and it quickly became clear how much the experience reflected the way the team works together. Tandem kayaking only really works when two people pay attention to each other and adjust naturally, and that felt very true of this group. There was a real sense that team members already knew how to read one another well, when to take the lead, and when to support from the other seat. Along the way, they spotted turtles, fish, and even baby otters playing in the water, while a few of the team jumped in for a swim too, thankfully with no alligators in sight.
After heading back to the hotel and spending some time by the pool, Sabera, who heads up the US team, led a team bonding activity that became one of the most memorable parts of the day. Each person was given a plain white T-shirt and a set of markers, and everyone spent time writing messages on the back of one another’s shirts about what they appreciate in each person. What made the activity stand out was that the comments were not vague or generic. They were thoughtful and personal, reflecting genuine knowledge of each other’s personalities, strengths, and the individual qualities that can easily go unsaid in the pace of day-to-day work. It was a simple idea, but it said a great deal about the kind of team Purdie Pascoe has built in the US: one that notices people properly and takes the time to recognize what each person brings.
The evening continued at Disney Springs, where the team enjoyed dinner together before making the most of the rest of the night. There was time to watch the sunset, stop off at an Indiana Jones-themed pub and browse the shops, all of which added to the sense of shared time that helps relationships deepen beyond project plans and meetings. Those are often the moments where rapport is strengthened in ways that later show up back at work.
For Purdie Pascoe, that kind of connection really matters. Great market research depends on collaboration, whether that means designing the right approach, responding to challenges in the field or making sense of findings together. Activities like these help build trust and mutual understanding in ways that carry directly into the work itself. When people know each other well and feel comfortable working closely together, they are better equipped to deliver thoughtful, high-quality work as a team. It was a strong reflection of how investing in relationships strengthens not only team culture, but the quality of the work Purdie Pascoe delivers.
Sabera Hyderally, Head of US MedTech, commented “I've been lucky enough to lead some incredible people in my career, but the three days in Orlando reminded me just how special this team truly is. Our US team building event was nothing short of phenomenal. Watching nine amazing women laugh, push through challenges together, and genuinely show up for one another. This group didn't just show up for a team building event, they showed what months of trust, collaboration, and genuine connection look like.Strong teams aren't made in a day. They're made in every late call, every tough decision, every moment you choose to trust each other. This team has done all of that, and then some. I couldn't be more proud.”