In October, Chazin team members traveled from across the country to meet in St. Louis for our 2026 Annual Corporate Gathering. This year was packed with a heartfelt mission, activities, and our team of all-stars.
All-Stars & Activities: An Out of the Park Time in STL
By Thursday afternoon, teammates had rolled in from California, Florida, and everywhere in between. As familiar faces reconnected in the lobby of Hyatt Hotel, some teammates took the chance to explore the city by visiting museums, parks, or, of course, the Gateway Arch.
That evening was our Gateway to Impact dinner. We gathered on the hotel’s rooftop, where stunning views of the Gateway Arch provided the backdrop for the evening. We mingled at cocktail hour, got to know teammates we don’t normally work with through conversation starters, enjoyed a four-course meal, and took plenty of pictures.
Friday morning began with purpose. We were joined by HavenHouse STL at the hotel for a presentation showcasing their mission, their house, and the people they serve. We learned about how they provide housing for hospital guests (and their families) with no discrimination on age or diagnosis. They provide two meals a day, every day. Amenities throughout the house include a meditation room, laundry room, a stocked kitchen, a game room, and an outside area with a garden and play area.
Many times, families and caretakers often leave in a rush and forget essentials at home. HavenHouse STL wants to be there to provide those necessities, so as a team, we assembled toiletry kits for their guests. Through teamwork and refined processes at each table, we assembled 400 kits complete with handwritten notes.
After assembly, each table went around and shared how they worked as a team, what the project means for Chazin’s larger mission, and what HavenHouse STL’s mission and stories meant to them.
Wearing matching Chazin T-shirts, we walked to take a team photo under the Gateway Arch. From there, we headed to Katie’s Pizza & Pasta for lunch, served family-style. Taking up half of the restaurant, we enjoyed fan favorites like fried artichoke salad, lemon cream paccheri pasta, and fig & squash pizza.
After lunch, we broke off into small groups to embark on one of three activities and then enjoy some connection time.
The History, Hooves & Hops group set off for Anheuser-Busch Brewery, for a tour to see the bottling process, learn about the history, enjoy the brewery’s architecture, and meet the famous Clydesdales. The group wrapped with time to relax and chat in the Biergarten.
The Chazin Challengers group put their problem-solving skills to the test at The Escape Game, with an added competitive edge for each team to escape first. Our teams entered into the Ruins, Cosmic Crisis, and Prison Break, with all three making it out before the 60 minutes was up! Teams were then able to walk through City Foundry and get a snack, a sweet treat, coffee, or even shop around.
The Explore the Lou group took a See STL Bus Tour through the downtown areas of St. Louis, seeing a mix of iconic landmarks and historic sites, and getting the story behind them. The group ended at Gateway Arch Park and had time to walk around the grounds or go up to the top.
Friday night, we traded our matching T-shirts for sports jerseys for our Chazin All-Star Celebration at Ballpark Village. Over St. Louis staples like fried ravioli and St. Louis-style barbecue, we guessed which throwback sports photo belonged to which teammate, and how much money was in the money wheel. We also had the chance to take new sports photos at the photo booth and walk away with our very own sports card memorabilia. Jerseys, T-shirts, and merch showed off hometown hockey, baseball, and football teams from coast to coast. And as always, the dance floor was eventually filled and stayed packed until the night ended.
Another Year, Another Company Gathering
A heartfelt thank-you goes to Alli, Eilish, Fran, and Adele for their incredible work planning and bringing this company gathering to life. The sports-themed details, the meals, and the activities they chose all reflected their thoughtfulness and leadership, and made the entire experience one to remember.
From assembling kits for HavenHouse STL to filling a dance floor at Ballpark Village, this year’s gathering reminded us what we’re building together and sent us into 2027 ready to keep showing up for the nonprofits we serve.
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