AI meets real life – Art, NFT conference and Korean BBQs
Botto is a special project – so they deserved a special retreat. From their NFT conference presentation to art gallery tours and the impromptu Korean BBQ night, LáFora focused on keeping the theme of art and creativity alive throughout the experience.
Meet the Team: Botto
To be honest, it took us a minute to fully get what Botto is. Here’s the simple version: it’s one of the first autonomous AI artists—think Van Gogh, but digital, creating NFTs instead of paintings. Behind it is a dedicated team of 12, spread across the globe, supporting this project that’s changing the way we think about art.
The team gathered in Lisbon for the NFT conference to showcase Botto’s work. But they knew that conferences aren’t the best place for real conversations. So, they planned a few extra days for team bonding and networking—time to connect properly, away from the conference rush.
The Destination Unveiled
Conferences can drain you fast. So we wanted to get the team a hotel at walking distance, so they can hop in and out to recharge their social batteries.
Luckily, one of our favourites was just 10 minutes walking distance from the event.
Each person had a luxurious bright room and an open coworking rooftop to chat and answer some emails in between.
The Journey Unfolds
After gearing up for the NFT Lisbon conference and a presentation by the CEO, Botto had a few extra days dedicated to two key goals: team building and networking. A programme was needed.
With their focus on digital art, the LáFora team decided to keep the creative theme – but this time analogue.
We organised an art gallery hopping in the trendy Marvila district, and Botto invited a curated list of art collectors and key contacts. Between galleries, the group took a break with a craft beer (or two) at a local brewery.
To finish the day, we brought in a private chef who served up a meal showcasing Portuguese flavours and history—complete with a dessert shaped like a red carnation, a nod to the country’s revolution.
A Change in Plans
Lisbon is famous for its sunny weather. But as luck would have it, rain hit on the day we had planned a boat tour along the river.
Time for plan B: a table at one of Lisbon’s top Korean BBQ restaurants.
If you’ve done Korean BBQ before, you’ll know it’s the perfect group activity. It’s interactive, with everyone grilling their own food at the table.
The Botto team loved it so much they stayed for four hours, eating until they really couldn’t anymore. A few Korean drinks topped off the experience.
The Final Takeaway
Botto is a special project – so they deserved a special retreat. From their NFT conference presentation to art gallery tours and the impromptu Korean BBQ night, LáFora focused on keeping the theme of art and creativity alive throughout the experience.
Rainy days are a pain, but great food and company made up for it. Botto’s globally spread team got to enjoy rare, quality time together, fulfil their networking goals, and leave Lisbon inspired for the next chapter. Sometimes, the best memories come from moments you don’t plan for.
Looking for more company retreat inspiration? Find Elevenyellow’s example here!