Unplugged
Three days with the amps off. No screens to share, no threads to catch up on. Just people, our minds, and 300 wooded acres.
First, a history lesson.
In 1989, MTV had a strange idea: take the biggest bands on earth, unplug the amps, sit them on a rug, and roll tape.
For a network built entirely on spectacle, that was a genuinely weird bet. Nobody knew what those artists actually sounded like until the amps came off — cracks, laughs, missed notes, the whole thing.
Turns out that was the good part.
Same idea.
Fewer Grammys.
An actual room
Not the same Google Meet. Nobody is on mute, nobody is presenting a tab.
Whole conversations
The kind that never need a thread, a recap, or a “per my last.”
Your actual thoughts
Unedited, said out loud, to a human face. Rough drafts welcome.
You may keep your phone. We’re not monsters.
The lineup
Arrival & check-in
Check-in is at 3PM. Get comfortable and explore the grounds.
Camp Orases at the Smokehouse
- Happy Hour, 5:00–7:00 PM — Mobile Axe Throwing and Lawn Games
- Dinner, 7:00–8:00 PM
Circle around the fire pit, play board games with your team, and hang as long as you’re comfortable (the bar closes at 12:00 AM).
Optional: If the Smokehouse scene isn’t unplugged enough for you, grab some coworkers and board games and head to one of the hotel lobbies for a quieter environment. (Hotel quiet hours begin at 10:00 PM.)
Buffet Breakfast
Look for the tables with Orases signs.
Orases Unplugged Welcome
We start promptly at 8:30 AM — and we will absolutely clap you in if you’re late. Perhaps even a standing ovation.
Behind the Music
Get in a band, cut a record, play the single. Practice the parts of working together that no tool does for us — listening, giving feedback, and saying what you actually felt.
Quick Break
Whose Job Is It, Anyway?
Our unscripted, improv-style session tackling some of the challenges we face day-to-day in our evolving industry — no slides, no verdicts, just the team riffing live and figuring it out together through humor.
Buffet Lunch
Look for the tables with Orases signs.
Free Time
Mission Impossible
Company-wide team-building event. Get ready to save the world!
Free Time
Enjoy the grounds and amenities at Airlie, grab a drink at Harry’s, take a nap… you do you!
ORASES LIVE & UNPLUGGED
- Happy Hour, 6:30–7:30 PM
- Plated dinner, 7:30–8:30 PM
- Karaoke and entertainment, 8:30–11:00 PM
The theme for the evening is Orases Live & Unplugged and we encourage you to channel your inner musician and come dressed as an MTV Unplugged performer or any other artist from the 90s. See below for more event details.
Late Night @ Harry’s Top Golf Swing Suite
Late-night bites, drinks, virtual games, and what is sure to be friendly competitive spirits.
Buffet Breakfast
Look for the tables with Orases signs. Bring your bags to store in the East Room — you won’t have much time before the 11:00 AM checkout.
Human Connection: The OG Social Network
We start promptly at 9:00 AM — and we will absolutely clap you in if you’re late. Perhaps even a standing ovation.
Break and Location Transition
Unplugged Experience (Small Breakouts)
Check your personal itinerary for your selected activity and location details.
Buffet Lunch
Look for the tables with Orases signs.
The 2026 Mixtape: Highlighting Our Journey
“Well, I always get nostalgic with that song…” This interactive closing session brings our retreat to a memorable finish through shared reflection and team bonding. Together, we’ll capture the spirit of our experiences and lock in key moments before heading home.
The Final “Rap”
Final takeaways, favorite moments, and one last unplugged moment together.
It’s Closing Time
Safe travels home! Check your personal itinerary for Uber coordination to the airport, and drive safely if you traveled by car.
Airlie Hotel, Warrenton
Three hundred acres an hour outside DC. One property, the whole team, everything within walking distance — including the lawn we fully intend to use.
Flights and ground transportation are booked through the office. Personalized itineraries will arrive two weeks prior to the event.
Late September in Virginia
The rider.
Five things we’re asking of everyone. None of them involve a laptop.
Our greatest hits
Four years of tour dates. Same band, different rooms.
Got questions?
We got answers
Casual everything. One layer for cool evenings, comfortable shoes, and something you’d wear to dinner at the pavilion. The venue spans 300 acres, but retreat activities are concentrated within about a quarter mile — expect grass, gravel, and paved paths. Company swag is provided when you arrive, so leave some extra room in your suitcase.
Airlie is about an hour from DC. Travel is arranged through the office — you’ll get your itinerary by email about two weeks out. If you’re local, plan to leave Frederick HQ around 1:30–2:00 PM to arrive near the 3:00 PM check-in time (there’s no early check-in) — you can leave your car at HQ and join a coordinated carpool, with transportation details included in your itinerary. If you’re flying in, the itinerary will also include airport-to-venue Uber coordination, including any ride partners, with costs covered through the company account.
Park at the main building to check in first. Then, move your car closer to your assigned lodging building if preferred.
Every meal from Wednesday evening through Friday lunch, plus snacks and the bar tab at group events. Personal room service is on you. Per diem details will be provided for those traveling from afar.
Thursday dinner is “Orases Live and Unplugged.” Attendees are encouraged to dress as an MTV Unplugged performer or another 1990s musician. A performer list and prize details will be shared soon.
No. Keep your phone, take the photos, post them. We’re just asking you to be in the room while you’re in the room. Client emergencies are the exception — tell your team lead and step out.
Exact times, breakout topics, and a few Friday activities. The days and the venue are locked. For Friday, a survey will go out for you to rank activity preferences — the goal is to place everyone in their top choice! We’ll update this page as things firm up.
Yes. Thursday’s group activity will include options with varying physical and mental challenges.
Yes, and we’d love that. The set list isn’t set yet — reach out to Kat with what you’d want to run.
Yes. Fishing poles are available to borrow from the lobby at no cost for use at the property’s lakes.
This year’s retreat is employees only so we can keep sessions focused.
Let Kat know as soon as you can and we’ll adjust your travel and room nights.
We’re sorry you won’t be joining us at the retreat this year — we’ll miss you! If you’re not attending, the retreat days will be regular workdays for you. That means you’ll be expected to work your usual hours unless you’ve requested and received approval for PTO. If you’d like to take time off during the retreat, just make sure to follow our standard PTO process and check in with your manager ahead of time.
Come ask us anything.
Open office hours before the retreat. Thirty minutes, drop in, no agenda.
Invites are already on your calendar.
See you at Airlie
September 23–25, 2026. Block the calendar, pack light, bring the acoustic version of yourself.