Canada ICI’s Coast-to-Coast Retreat: Real Connection, Real Alignment  

The Beginning

What happens when you bring together every corner of a coast-to-coast Canadian company—from Victoria to Halifax—for two days of connection, strategy, and a little friendly competition? 

You get something more than a company conference.  
You get alignment. Energy. Culture in motion. 

At Canada ICI, we’ve always believed in investing in our people. From front-facing teams to the backbone of our operations, this retreat was a full-company moment. A chance to step away from our inboxes, meet face-to-face, and remember what makes us different: shared values, a unified drive, and a whole lot of talent. 

The Journey

Getting 155 people from across Canada to Kelowna? No small feat. But our team didn’t just show up—they made it happen. People rearranged family plans, rescheduled weddings (yes, weddings), and worked extra hours just to be fully present. That kind of commitment says everything about who we are. 

From the moment we arrived, the energy was electric. The hotel buzzed with introductions, laughter, and a whole lot of “so that’s what you look like outside of Teams!” moments. 

The Highlights

• CICI Past, Present, Future: Our leadership team took us on a candid, energizing journey through where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re headed. A reminder that our growth is intentional, our strategy is sharp, and our coast-to-coast team is aligned in driving Canada ICI forward as the leader in compelling mortgage solutions.

• Strategy presentations from key capital markets insiders gave us a clear view of where we’re headed—and how we can capitalize on the future.  

• We welcomed world-renowned performance coach Tom McCarthy, who challenged us to think bigger, connect deeper, and push past our personal limits. 

• Team-Building Ultimate Challenge: Our downtown Kelowna adventure brought out competitive spirits and strengthened cross-office relationships. New bonds were formed, collaboration improved, and a few scavenger hunt legends were born.

• Workshops on body language and communication from Pamela Barnum reminded us that how we show up—verbally and nonverbally—matters more than we think. 

• Early morning yoga sessions and team runs along the waterfront showcased our commitment to wellness and set an energetic tone for the day—even before breakfast. 

• National Ping-Pong Championship: Twenty-two teams from offices across the country compete for one title. Friendly rivalries were born, and new champions were crowned. 

But the real magic? It happened between the sessions, over coffee breaks, and during late-night chats. That’s where new friendships were forged, old ones strengthened, and ideas sparked that will carry us forward. 

Why This Retreat Mattered 

This retreat was much more than a company gathering. It was an important step in our commitment to being Canada’s leader in the distribution and management of compelling mortgage products. 

It strengthened relationships across departments, sparked new ideas, and reinforced our shared commitment to excellence. It gave us space to align, recharge, and reconnect—not just with each other, but with the mission that drives us.

What makes this moment even more significant is that we’re part of a select group—just 5% of Canadian companies—who prioritize bringing their entire organization together for an annual retreat, according to a survey by Robert Half. By coming together in person, we’re not only strengthening our culture and connections, but also reaffirming our dedication to building something truly exceptional that people want to be a part of.  

This retreat reminded us that we’re not just a company—we’re a team. A team that’s growing, evolving, and investing in what matters most: our people.

When our people are connected, aligned, and energized, our clients and partners feel the difference. Stronger internal collaboration leads to faster responses, sharper insights, and a more unified approach to delivering exceptional service — because when we’re at our best, so is the experience we create for those we work with.

The Takeaway

The energy, ideas, and connections sparked in Kelowna won’t stay there. They’ll ripple outward into every office, every client conversation, and every decision we make. Because at Canada ICI, when our people thrive, our culture thrives – and so do the results we deliver.