On 1st April 2025, 31 Yappers from Singapore, South Africa, New York, and London reunited under the sunny skies of Kent at the breathtaking Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve.
For those of us used to city life, waking up to panoramic views of the wildlife reserve was a refreshing change of pace.
A First-Timer’s Welcome
Coming in fresh from Team Singapore, this was my very first YAP offsite — and let’s just say, the bar has been set high. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with open arms, good vibes, and even better company.
With our crew spread across continents and time zones, this was our chance to swap Slack for face time (the real kind), trade ideas in person, and feel like one team.
Life at the Lodge
The Bear Lodge was so much more than just a place to crash — it felt like we were living inside a nature documentary. Capybaras casually strolled by, squirrel monkeys swung through the trees, and every morning kicked off with birdsong and a sunrise that looked like it was made for a postcard.
Not a bad way to start the day, right?
Feeding giraffes and rhinos by hand?
Definitely not something I ever thought I’d do — but here we are. Beyond the guided safari tour, we wrapped things up with a slow stroll through the reserve.
It was the perfect wind-down: wandering past animal enclosures, taking in the views, and just letting it all sink in.
Getting Down To Business
A standout moment was the woodworking workshop. Tasked with creating feeding and entertainment devices for monkeys as part of conservation efforts, we had to think fast and act smarter, as vague instructions and limited materials meant every decision counted. It tested our communication and collaboration under pressure, true real-world problem-solving in action.
We also took part in workshops on improving communication with clients and journalists. These sessions were packed with practical knowledge and experience from everyone, with case studies that offered fresh perspectives on navigating tricky PR situations. Personally, two workshops stuck with me:
Creative Brainstorming – How to hit mainsteam led by Chris Fay, (Associate Director, Head of PR and Communications).
Chris gave us creative ways to generate new ideas that stood out, as it gave a fresh perspective on keeping our creative minds turning. We put all of that to work by brainstorming fresh ideas as an activity, and it was amazing to see what everyone came up with!
How to become your client’s trusted advisor: Building that soft skill rizz led by Sean Baker (Senior Account Manager) and Vasundhara Singh (Account Manager).
Sean and Vas gave us tips on improving our communication skills, which will go a long way in helping us be more effective with internal and external communications. I am proud to say that it has definitely helped me get more replies from journalists since.
Moments That Stuck
One of the standouts for me? The pre-dinner events.
The pre-dinner events were such a blast! Between the hilarious meme contest where we tried to out-funny each other, the YAP-style Jeopardy that tested our knowledge of all things YAP and crypto, and the internal awards that celebrated teammates living our values—it was more than just memories. It really brought out everyone’s energy, got us laughing, and made the whole team feel connected.
Beyond the group selfies, what really stuck with me was how much closer we all became. I got to connect with teammates I’d barely spoken to before, and now it feels like we’re all rowing in the same direction. The leadership roadmap for the next two years gave us the clarity we needed, but it’s the trust and friendships we built during the offsite that I know will make our day-to-day work feel more collaborative—and a lot more fun.
