At the end of March, the ShapeBlue team came together in the picturesque coastal town of Praia da Luz, Portugal, for ShapeBlue Con 2025. This annual gathering is a cornerstone of our culture, offering a dedicated space for collaboration, innovation, and strengthening the relationships that underpin our employee-owned company.
As a multi-cultural company with team members across many regions, this in-person week remains an essential part of how we align, share, and grow together. It’s a unique opportunity to deepen connections, spark new ideas, and strengthen our collective purpose—ultimately enabling us to serve our customers with greater insight and impact.
A Week of Strategic Thinking and Creative Momentum
The week’s agenda was designed to offer a balanced blend of structured sessions, breakout collaboration, and hands-on product development—ensuring everyone had a chance to contribute ideas and move initiatives forward.
Our in-person week was a mix of collaboration, insight, and knowledge sharing. Teams tackled real challenges and explored technical improvements, while leadership shared strategic direction through roadmap updates and a powerful State of the Union address. Cross-departmental sessions offered a chance to learn from one another, highlighting the diverse work and perspectives that drive us forward. The week wrapped with company-wide lightning talks, where every team member shared insights, ideas, and inspirations—reinforcing our belief that every voice matters and contributes to our collective growth.
Beyond the Sessions
After each day’s sessions, we enjoyed a variety of activities that helped us recharge and connect in a different way.
From beach Olympics and scenic hikes to volleyball, pool, and ping pong, the week offered plenty of fun and downtime—whether we were getting competitive or simply hanging out by the pool, relaxing with a drink, and enjoying each other’s company. It made for some memorable moments for all of us.
These shared experiences reinforce the trust and teamwork that drive our success throughout the year.
Looking Ahead
ShapeBlue Con 2025 reaffirmed just how powerful it is when our team comes together in one place. The ideas sparked and bonds strengthened during this annual week away continue to shape how we innovate and deliver value.
As we look ahead to upcoming events—such as the CloudStack Collaboration Conference in Milan this November—we do so with renewed energy and alignment across the team.
Jamie had been involved in marketing for 3 years prior to joining the company. He is heavily involved in the marketing activities for both ShapeBlue and Apache CloudStack. In his free time, Jamie likes training MMA and rugby.
