From Hacker Hangout to Impactful Retreat: Offsite’s Role in Synack’s Team Event

Our Client

Synack is a leading cybersecurity company that blends artificial intelligence with human expertise to deliver on-demand, continuous penetration testing. Its platform mobilizes the Synack Red Team (SRT)—a global network of vetted, elite ethical hackers—to discover and validate vulnerabilities at scale. This hybrid approach enables enterprise clients to stay ahead of evolving threats with actionable insights and measurable results.

Founded in 2013, Synack serves organizations across government, finance, healthcare, and other regulated sectors. Its contractor-powered testing model allows companies to maintain security coverage year-round while meeting stringent compliance and operational standards through trusted, scalable solutions.

Creating a Space for Recognition and Trust

Synack’s Hacker Hangout 2023 was designed as both a reward and a relationship-building retreat for the company’s elite contractors. Offsite worked closely with Synack to craft an agenda that would make these top contractors feel valued. By bringing this geographically distributed group together in person, Synack aimed to build deeper trust and camaraderie within its contractor community – something difficult to achieve through remote interactions alone. The offsite format provided a unique space for peer recognition and for forging personal connections that strengthen the broader Synack network.

To keep the week dynamic and memorable, Offsite curated a series of hands-on social experiences that blended creativity, competition, and connection. Day 2 began with a friendly showdown at Topgolf, where the group enjoyed casual competition—an ideal icebreaker that set a relaxed, inclusive tone. That evening, they gathered at Pinthouse Brewing for a laid-back hangout featuring pizza, beer, and open conversation. Some attendees opted to continue hacking from their suite, reflecting the event’s self-directed spirit. One of the most talked-about moments came on Day 3 with the Color Cartel graffiti battle—a team-building experience that brought out a playful sense of rivalry. Split into groups, the hackers designed murals, transforming a creative challenge into a high-energy collaboration. These moments—spray-painting murals, sharing meals, and swinging golf clubs—offered more than entertainment. They sparked genuine camaraderie, turning a distributed team into a close-knit community and reinforcing the value of gathering in person to build trust and shared identity.

Planning with Flexibility in Mind

Pulling off a five-day event for a dozen hackers required careful planning and a flexible approach. Offsite’s planning team coordinated an itinerary that balanced scheduled group outings with ample free time, ensuring nothing felt overly regimented. A key element was providing a dedicated hospitality suite at Hotel Van Zandt for the duration of the week. The suite acted as a comfortable “hacker HQ” where attendees could drop in for casual bug-hunting sessions or just relax on their own schedule. This meant that outside of the planned group activities, the contractors always had a space to collaborate informally or unwind – an important consideration given the varied working styles in the group. The schedule deliberately included generous blocks of “at your leisure” time for hacking or other activities, allowing participants to recharge or deep-dive into projects as they wished. This flexibility was crucial in keeping a cohort of security researchers comfortable and productive throughout the offsite.

Offsite brought thoughtful coordination to every dining detail, creating a culinary experience that felt as curated as the event itself. Rather than defaulting to a standard meal plan, the week featured a mix of on-site and off-site options that showcased Austin’s local flavor. One morning, the group strolled to Forthright Café for a warm, sit-down breakfast, while another began with breakfast tacos delivered directly to the suite—a nod to local tradition. On Day 3, lunch was left open for food truck exploration, giving attendees the chance to sample Austin’s vibrant street food scene at their own pace. In collaboration with Hotel Van Zandt, Offsite arranged for beloved local restaurant Loro to cater dinner to the suite, thanks to the venue’s rare flexibility with outside food. To close the week, the group gathered at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, where private dining and Texas hospitality set the tone for a memorable final night. These carefully selected meals weren’t just about convenience—they were part of the offsite’s rhythm, offering time to relax, reconnect, and savor the experience.

Partnering with Offsite to Bring It All Together

Planning a multi-day retreat for a globally distributed group of elite contractors required not only precision logistics but thoughtful, human-centered coordination. Synack turned to Offsite to support this effort, seeking a partner who could manage the detailed planning while also helping to shape a meaningful experience. The team needed a venue that was both flexible and welcoming, activities that reflected their culture, and a cadence that allowed for both connection and autonomy.

Offsite delivered on those needs through careful vendor coordination, agenda structure, and hands-on planning support. From managing suite accommodations to scheduling transportation and securing venue permissions, Offsite’s role enabled Synack’s internal team to focus on the people and purpose of the event. One team member shared:

“I cannot thank Kim enough for all the care she took whilst planning this event. I experienced a personal loss a week prior to the event which pulled me away from work during the weeks leading up. Kim was thoughtful and compassionate, gently checking in around both the event and my own wellbeing. I've never encountered such a level of kindness and attention from a vendor—she made it as easy on me as possible during such a stressful and painful time. Aside from all the assistance with planning this wonderful event, Kim (& Offsite) receive many points towards customer service!! Looking forward to planning future events with Offsite!”
— Emily Peacock, Community Engagement Manager, Synack

Delivering on the Experience

The Hacker Hangout offsite proved to be a meaningful and well-executed gathering for Synack’s team. Attendees raved about the experience afterward, highlighting how much they appreciated both the fun activities and the unstructured time to collaborate. Many of these contractors had only ever interacted online; now they were leaving Austin with new friendships and a stronger sense of belonging to the Synack community. Attendees shared that the event ran smoothly, with positive feedback on both the structure and experience. The group appreciated the balance of work and social connection throughout the week, with opportunities to hack, unwind, and engage in shared activities. The Hotel Van Zandt’s location and hospitality were well suited to the event’s needs, and its flexibility—such as allowing the use of a suite for working sessions and accommodating outside catering—contributed to a seamless experience. 

Importantly, the offsite achieved Synack’s goals of recognition and team building. Bringing their top performers together in this way visibly increased mutual trust and morale.Synack’s offsite in Austin not only rewarded its star researchers with an unforgettable week but also demonstrated how a well-executed offsite retreat can reinforce a company’s community and culture. The week brought opportunities to build trust, celebrate milestones, and strengthen connections across a globally distributed team—made possible through thoughtful planning and an environment that encouraged meaningful interaction.

Looking Ahead: Building on a Successful Foundation

The success of the Hacker Hangout has sparked strong interest within Synack to continue this type of engagement in the future. The event met and exceeded expectations—not only as a reward for top contractors but as a platform for deeper community building and cultural reinforcement. The positive feedback from attendees and internal stakeholders alike has positioned Offsite as a go-to partner for planning future gatherings.

Synack’s leadership has expressed enthusiasm about replicating this model in new locations and is already exploring options for upcoming years, including potential international destinations. Offsite’s ability to manage both the logistics and the tone of the experience has set a high bar for what future events can look like: high-touch, culturally aligned, and deeply memorable.