DataCite’s annual retreat took the team of 28 to the vibrant city of Marrakech. Between work sessions and cultural exploration, the highlight was a hands-on Moroccan cooking class, where laptops were swapped for tagines.
DataCite’s annual retreat took the team of 28 to the vibrant city of Marrakech. Between work sessions and cultural exploration, the highlight was a hands-on Moroccan cooking class, where laptops were swapped for tagines.
DataCite is a remote tech NGO leading the way in making research more accessible across the world. To maintain their high levels of teamwork, they bring together their team of 28 every year in different locations of the world.
After a great experience in Sintra last year, they were excited to explore a team retreat in Marocco, a place that was new to many of them. With team members spread across the globe, including Africa, Morocco seemed like a convenient and exciting location.
Their goal was simple: to spend time together, experience a new culture and strengthen bonds, all while getting some work done.
This year’s retreat took place just outside of Marrakech, at a 4-star hotel with a large garden. Each person had a comfortable single room, and a meeting room for coworking sessions. We chose it as it was close enough to the city of Marrakesh for dining and exploring, but peaceful enough to relax after a day’s work and to spend time together without distractions.
With the help of our incredible local partners, Younes and Ali, LáFora crafted a company retreat programme that would tick all boxes: work, food, and cultural experience.
The Guided City Tour was a well-loved highlight. The team wandered through the souks, explored the Secret Garden, Dar el Bacha, and stood in awe at the Koutoubia Mosque. It provided a cultural introduction to Marrakech—the colours, the history, the everyday life.
But the real winner? The Moroccan cooking workshop. Swapping their laptops for cooking stoves, and guided by a local chef they learned how to make tagine and couscous. And when the cooking was done, they sat down together to enjoy the meal they had made. As Britta from DataCite puts it:
‘The cooking workshop was a definite highlight. Learning to make traditional Moroccan dishes with a fantastic chef was not only fun but also a great team-building activity. We all left with some new cooking skills and a lot of great memories.’
As for the leadership team, they stayed an extra day to get through some important meetings—but also made time for a camel ride into the Sahara Desert. They wrapped up the team retreat with a dinner under the stars, surrounded by nothing but the stillness of the desert.
DataCite’s team thrives on exploring new places, and this team retreat in Marocco was no exception. Their willingness to try unique locations is something we truly admire. Each retreat not only gives them new memories but also tightens their bonds a little more.
What stood out this year? The power of shared experiences—especially in the kitchen. The Moroccan cooking class didn’t just fill stomachs, it filled hearts, creating moments that will stick with the team long after the retreat. It’s clear: cooking together is something they’ll want to repeat, and it’s these personal, hands-on activities that make each retreat that much more unforgettable.
This was an amazing team retreat in Marocco, but there are also other great locations! Read about Botto’s case study in Lisbon here!
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