Company gathering prepares organization for its next chapter of growth and progress
ECT’s three-day event held in Detroit, Michigan included a significant volunteer effort at the city’s Palmer Park, as well as company and industry education, interactive engagements, and social events throughout the city.
Nearly 200 employees from 30 states gathered starting September 15th – this momentous occasion being the first opportunity since the COVID-19 pandemic to meet all together in one place.
The initial goal was simple. ECT completed its 10-year strategic plan last May and designed the meeting to share and discuss plan details with employee owners, and to align around a shared vision of being a place where progress leads the way. And, of course, to have some fun, meet colleagues, and learn about each other.
While that goal was certainly accomplished over two days of interactive sessions and presentations at Detroit’s MGM Grand Hotel and Resort, the event offered employees and stakeholders so much more.
Click below to experience “3 Days in 3 Minutes.”
Environmental Volunteerism
ECT and more than a dozen partners executed a transformation effort at Detroit’s Palmer Park, where ECT has been consulting on the restoration of Lake Frances. Contributing more than $100,000 in volunteer time and resources to support the park’s 100-year vision, outcomes included removing invasive species from one acre of remnant Witherell Woods, planting of 30 native trees, completing a floristic inventory along four transects, and removing debris throughout the park. The project was conducted in collaboration with the City of Detroit, The People for Palmer Park, and The Greening of Detroit.
Learn more about the event in this article featured in the Michigan Chronicle.
Legacy and Storytelling
Employees met and heard from current and former leadership, including Retired Founder and President Larry Danek and Retired Vice President Jim Ridgway. This session honored the company’s rich 36-year history and employee-owner culture, while setting the stage for the next decade of strategic growth. The employee engagement right before this panel allowed employees to share their own journey to ECT as another way to foster connection, understand shared history, and move forward together.
Employee Ownership Education
As an employee-owned organization, the firm’s ESOP Trustee James Urbach led a discussion on ECT’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with an eight-person internal ESOP Employee Experience Group. The team delivered a presentation that explained the program, clarifying the mechanics and illustrating how the ESOP works in action.
Client and Partner Appreciation
Clients and partners participated in a reception atop the City of Detroit’s iconic GM Renaissance Center to celebrate our collective success in the city, Southeast Michigan, and the Great Lakes region. The sweeping views inspired visiting employees and clients to discuss many of the local projects ECT has contributed to over the years, including developments along the Detroit River, city parks, and various urban initiatives.
Embracing the Future Vision
Motivated by President and CEO Bobbi Westerby’s call for continued progress and transformation, the entire organization collaborated on a 216-tile mosaic mural to memorialize the moment and our shared commitment to the vision set forth. The completed masterpiece serves as a reminder that every individual plays an essential role in achieving ECT’s vision. This artwork will be proudly displayed at ECT’s Tampa office, symbolizing the strength and unity of the team.
“This event was about more than just gathering—it was about aligning our team to work towards a common vision while giving back to a city we’re proud to support,” said Westerby.
Our Sponsors
Special appreciation for our business partners that supported Everyone@ECT through their event sponsorship:
