Starting in Stockholm: A Team Travel Day
The journey kicked off on Monday, March 3rd, with the team trickling into Stockholm on various flights. We stayed overnight at an airport hotel, a practical spot to regroup before the real action. It wasn’t all business yet, plenty of us wandered to the hotel restaurant and bar that evening. Over drinks and snacks, the team caught up, swapping laughs and stories with colleagues from across departments, some we’d never met before, coming from different countries. With SBT growing over the past year, it was a cool chance to put faces to names and kick things off on a global note. Some called it day one, but the official schedule didn’t start until Tuesday morning with the flight to Kiruna. Still, that first night set the tone for what was ahead.
Day One: Updates and a Team Northern Lights Chase
Tuesday morning, we hopped onto a 90-minute flight to Kiruna, an idyllic little northern hub, then drove 15 minutes to Jukkasjärvi, home of the legendary ICEHOTEL. That crisp Arctic air and snow underfoot got everyone buzzing. Once settled, the work began. Over the next two days, every department at SBT rolled out presentations, from tech-focused squads to creative and support teams, capped with a business update from our CEO, Josh. It was a broad sweep of what’s happening across the company, giving the team a solid peek into plans for the year ahead and tying us into the bigger picture. But let’s be honest, you’re not here for the presentation rundown.
That night, we geared up for a Northern Lights Safari on snowmobiles. Engines growled, snow flew, and between courses at dinner, the sky gave us a faint green glow. It wasn’t blinding in person, but night mode on phones turned those shots vivid. For pics of the Northern Lights, the team learned quick: kill the flash, flip to night mode if you’re extra cautious, and you’ll nab striking photos without blinding the group, which happened a few times. Guides led us to round log huts in the wilderness, a massive fire in the centre warming up moose stew (a bold, tasty first for many) and varm lingondricka, warm lingonberry juice. That tart drink won itself plenty of fans. Dessert, a rich berry panna cotta, left the team craving seconds.
We stayed in warm rooms that night, wrapping up a solid day. We were pumped for what was next, though a few admitted to dreading the early wake-up.
Day Two: Dogsleds, Ice Art, and a Night on Ice
Wednesday kept the momentum with more company updates, informative and engaging, pulling the team deeper into SBT’s plans across those two days. That afternoon brought the fun stuff. We piled onto dog sleds as passengers, a pack of eager huskies towing us through the snow. Those dogs had energy to burn, thrilling the group with their gusto. Snow fell at first, layering on the chill and charm, though the ride bumped us around hard, no suspension to smooth it out. A warm lunch in a cabin refuelled us, and the return trip, with the snow cleared, had a calm beauty that left everyone smiling.
Then came an ice sculpting class. The team figured it’d be chaos, with ice flying everywhere, but it turned out easier to shape than expected. Some ended up with lumpy rocks (like mine, Stonehenge wannabes), while others crafted animals and objects you could actually recognise, a clear win over the rougher attempts. It sparked awe for the ICEHOTEL’s intricate ice art, no small task to pull off.
Nighttime took us to the ICEBAR. Drinks in ice glasses tested our grip, though luckily no one fumbled. An ice slide had the team grinning, a few taking quick spins. Dinner followed, a four-course ice menu with wines, reindeer stealing the show, flavorful and tender. After laughs and chats, we shuffled off to the ice rooms. Each had its own flair, with some sporting graceful carvings (like my room, “Dancers in the Dark”), while others went for a more quirky or eerie vibe. Though we were all a bit nervous at first, sleeping on hides in thermal bags turned out to be surprisingly comfortable. Most loved it, and while some didn't sleep so well, the team agreed it was a unique experience worth braving the cold for.
Day Three: Teamwork, a Key Card Mishap, and Home
Thursday hit early… 5 a.m. early for one of us. With no facilities in the ice rooms, a restroom visit meant stepping out of the room. I couldn’t find my key (white plastic card + white ice floor + tired eyes = 15 minutes of frantic searching to no avail) so I had no choice but to stay up with no option of going back to bed. Some of the team slept great that night, others not as much.
More sessions rolled out, teamwork tasks encouraging mingling across all departments. It was a blast connecting with folks we don’t usually see, ideas and conversations flowing. Everyone felt the spark of working together in a fresh setting. After one final delicious lunch, we headed to the airport and flew back to Stockholm, where we parted ways. Some flew home, while others stretched out their Swedish stay with a few days in the city.
Team shot featuring Kenny, our amazing tour leader, reclining on the snow.
Business Highlights: A Look Back and Ahead at Security Blue Team
During two days of team presentations, we aligned on the company's goals and objectives for 2025, while taking a look back at where we've come from. In the past year, SBT grew from 18 employees and contractors to and incredible 38 – with no signs of slowing down. That expansion sparked four new departments, each bringing new energy to the table. Alongside our usual grind, like certifications and courses, we’ve got four major projects cooking, big moves that’ll make a big difference to the industry. Presentations from our CEO and each team lead tied everything together, showing how every team’s piece fits into the puzzle. It was a proud moment, seeing where we’ve been and what’s on the horizon.
Final Thoughts
Global Connect at Sweden's stunning ICEHOTEL was a wild, unforgettable ride for SBT. From chasing the Northern Lights to sculpting ice and bunking in frozen rooms, we bonded tight and got a front-row look at what’s next for SBT. Huge props to Josh Beaman and Millie Gilham (CEO and Product Manager/Social ERG lead, respectively) for orchestrating this killer trip (and a big shout out to Kenny our hilarious tour leader). And a big shout out to the whole SBT team who brought their passion and energy, turning the trip into an epic experience. To those who couldn’t make it, we’re stoked to see you at the next one!
SBT is growing rapidly, so be sure to keep an eye out for job openings – we might just see you at our next Global Connect!
