INTRODUCTION
For a fully remote company with 460 employees across 15 countries, connection does not happen by accident. It has to be built with intention. That is why Corelight, a cybersecurity leader known for its low-ego culture and emphasis on collaboration, invests in regular in-person gatherings to bring teams together.
We spoke with Kaitlin Brunner, Executive Assistant at Corelight, who helps plan retreats and team events alongside her many other responsibilities. From quarterly business reviews to sales incentives and the company-wide Connect retreat, Kaitlin makes sure employees across time zones do more than meet virtually. They build real relationships face to face.
“These retreats are where we put faces to names, share experiences, and build the kind of trust that makes remote collaboration work.”
Kaitlin Brunner
ABOUT CORELIGHT
Corelight provides cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that give organizations the network visibility and actionable insights they need to protect against evolving threats. With no physical office space, the company relies on strong digital practices to maintain its culture. These include weekly CEO-led all-hands meetings, active Slack channels that keep teams connected, and a unique “copilot” system that pairs new hires with experienced teammates during onboarding. Even with these systems in place, Corelight recognizes that nothing replaces spending time together in person.Their annual company retreat, Connect, brings all 460 employees together. In addition, each department receives a budget for two in-person meetings each year. This ensures alignment and collaboration stay strong across regions.
THE RETREAT: BARCELONA BUSINESS REVIEW
In early 2025, Corelight’s EMEA sales team met in Barcelona for their quarterly business review. Barcelona is one of the many incredible destinations for company retreats in Spain.
Their small team three-day retreat brought together 33 attendees, including new hires and leaders, to review performance, align goals, and strengthen team bonds.
Why AC Gavà Mar
The team selected AC Gavà Mar, a boutique beachfront hotel just outside Barcelona. Kaitlin admits she was slightly nervous at first. She does not speak Spanish and was concerned about a potential language barrier. In the end, the experience was seamless.
The venue checked every box for the team.
Meeting ready
Reliable internet, dependable AV, and plenty of coffee kept the QBR sessions running smoothly.
Convenient location
The hotel sits just minutes from the airport but still feels like an escape.
By the water
The location matched perfectly with the CRO’s preference for water-based activities.
Right sized
The venue felt intimate while still comfortably hosting the entire group.
“It was the perfect size for our group. Not too big and not too small. The beachfront location gave us the right mix of business and relaxation”.
TEAM BOOST: ACTIVITIES THAT BUILT CONNECTION
The retreat balanced focus and fun, with each day building on the last.
Day 1: Kickoff and Team Building
After a welcome lunch at the hotel, the team jumped into speed-dating style introductions. Each person had two minutes to share who they were beyond their job title.
New colleagues quickly got to know one another, setting the tone for kickoff meetings and a group dinner in downtown Barcelona.
Day 2: Business and Leisure
The morning focused on QBR sessions where each region presented performance updates and future plans.
The afternoon shifted gears with a catamaran tour and wine tasting. The activity was a nod to the CRO’s love of the water and gave the team a memorable way to deepen connections.
Dinner that evening was relaxed and local, just a short walk from the hotel.
Day 3: Training and Competition
The retreat wrapped up with sales training and the high-energy “Corelight Pitch Smackdown.”
Teams competed to deliver the strongest sales pitch in front of the executive team, who served as judges. While the winners earned bragging rights, the real outcome was the energy, laughter, and learning that carried everyone into the year ahead.
STRATEGY SYNC: WHY RETREATSANDVENUES
Kaitlin is not a full-time event planner. As an Executive Assistant, retreat planning is just one of the many hats she wears. That is why her partnership with RetreatsAndVenues has been so valuable.
She has now worked with Shay from RetreatsAndVenues on seven different events. These include Pinnacle Club incentive trips, marketing team meetings, customer success gatherings, and the annual Connect retreat.
“RetreatsAndVenues makes the process easy. Shay consistently finds venues that fit our budget, reviews contracts, and adapts when plans change at the last minute. Kevin, our CRO, changes his mind constantly, but Shay is flexible and quick to respond. It has saved me countless hours and given me confidence in the venues we choose.”
That trust allows Kaitlin to focus on supporting her teams, knowing the logistics and negotiations are handled by an expert.
REFLECT AND GROW
Corelight’s Barcelona, Spain retreat shows how intentional gatherings can strengthen a remote-first workforce.
From structured morning sessions to laughter over tapas and wine on the catamaran, these shared moments extend far beyond the retreat itself. They fuel collaboration, build trust, and reinforce a culture that thrives without physical offices.
Looking ahead, Corelight plans to continue investing in Connect and department-level retreats so employees across continents stay aligned and connected.
TAKEAWAY
For remote-first companies, retreats are not just perks. They are cultural anchors.
With the right venue, thoughtful planning, and trusted partners like RetreatsAndVenues, retreats become more than events. They become the glue that holds global teams together.
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