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The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for Showcase
For the Showcase family (Showcase Interiors, Showcase PSR, and Renovo), the annual winter conference is one of the highlights of the year. The group look forward to it so much that the organising team is bombarded with questions all year long: “Where are we going?” “What’s the theme?” “What surprises do you have in store?”
Of course, everything remains a closely-guarded secret until the big day. And this year, on 28th November 2025, we delivered an experience that truly captured the festive spirit while embracing our theme: successes, challenges, and surprises!
A Stunning Venue and a Festive Welcome
For this year’s setting, we chose The Cambridge Belfry, a beautiful hotel set by a serene lake and close to our Kimbolton site. For many of our team who work further afield, it was a chance to experience the charm of Cambridge, a city steeped in history and festive magic.
The day began with a warm welcome: teas, coffee, and pastries to fuel the excitement. Later, after the team-building activity, we returned for a champagne reception before announcing the winners and losers (always a hotly anticipated moment!).
The Morning Conference: Talk-Show Style
This time, we shook things up. Instead of traditional presentations, we introduced an interview-style panel with sofas and armchairs, creating a relaxed, talk-show atmosphere. Managers from Sales, Marketing, Finance, Sustainability, and more shared insights under three key themes: successes, challenges, and surprises.
The event branding reflected our growth journey, with a graphic panel highlighting each company owner’s milestones and challenges throughout the year. Alpine graphics tied the theme together, appearing in presentations and signage: a subtle nod to the evening festivities to come.
We were so pleased the team loved the new format, reporting how engaging and refreshing it was to hear different perspectives on shared topics. There were laughs (especially when the Renovo team appeared in costume!) and plenty of thought-provoking moments.
We also invited staff to share feedback on three questions:
- What are we doing well?
- What do you want to see more of?
- What would you like us to change?
The Senior Leadership Team will review this feedback and share actions to ensure we continue supporting our team and driving success beyond our get-togethers. This year’s conference was about embracing change and shaping the future together, as much as it was about reflecting on the brilliant year behind us.
Charity Treasure Hunt: Festive Fun with Purpose
After the conference, it was time to head outdoors for our team-building activity. Partnering with o3e, we launched a treasure hunt across Cambridge city centre, using a custom app to navigate landmarks and complete quirky challenges. Every task earned items for packs supporting Refuge, the UK’s largest specialist domestic abuse charity.
Before setting off, representatives from Refuge and o3e gave an inspiring talk about the charity’s work and how our contributions make a real difference. It was a heartwarming moment that reminded us why these activities matter.
The treasure hunt was competitive (our activities always are!). Teams raced through Cambridge, visiting iconic spots like the Fitzwilliam Museum and the Polar Museum, all while completing photo challenges, singing tasks, to name a few!
And let’s not forget the Showcase woolly bobble hats, which were a huge hit with the team! They made it easy to spot our group of over 100 people around Cambridge (which is always handy when you’re trying to keep track of everyone!).
The festive spirit was everywhere, and continued when we paused at the Cambridge Christmas Market for hot chocolates and mulled wine at the Alpine Lodge. It was the perfect seasonal touch before heading back to crown the winners and enjoy a hilarious showreel of the day’s antics.
Random Acts of Kindness
While racing through Cambridge for the treasure hunt, each team was challenged to perform a Random Act of Kindness by delivering a box of chocolates to someone of their choice.
The recipients ranged from charity shop volunteers to the Cambridge Fire Brigade. It was a simple gesture, but one that sparked genuine smiles and conversations. Taking a moment to meet and thank people who make a difference in their communities added an extra layer of meaning to the day.
Walking in an Alpine Wonderland
As night fell, the magic continued. The evening party was a true winter wonderland. Guests walked into a hall transformed with alpine décor, frosty-themed decor, and even a 7ft polar bear!
A live Oompah band kicked things off, blending traditional oompah music with pop hits in their signature style, getting everyone on their feet. Later, the DJ kept the energy high with team-requested tracks, from pop classics to drum and bass.
It was a night of joy, laughter, and togetherness, a fitting finale to a day that embodied our theme of embracing change and supporting our people.
The Greatest Winter Event Yet
As the years go on, it becomes an increasing challenge to surprise the team and give them an even more memorable festive celebration than the last. So, we were thrilled when we returned to the office on Monday, to unanimous feedback, stating “This was the greatest winter event yet!” Now, of course, the pressure is on to top it next year… no small challenge, but we’re ready for it!
A huge thank you to O3e and Refuge for partnering with us to make our Winter Event so special, and to every team member for their hard work and for making our trip to Cambridge so unforgettable. Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and shared success.
Cambridge 2025, you were magical!
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