The future of employee experience is taking shape, and it’s all about intentionality, connection, and community. At Epoch’s latest event - Employee Experience 2025 Hot Takes: Dumpling-Making & Learn in SF - leaders and practitioners gathered to explore what’s next in workplace culture. Amanda Delaney Cook from Chime shared insights on data-driven event planning, hybrid strategies, and building meaningful engagement.

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Defining success in employee experience

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How do we define success in EX? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Success varies based on each initiative’s goals - whether fostering community, reinforcing company values, or increasing participation. Amanda emphasized the importance of keeping purpose at the core. Tracking engagement data helps refine future events and ensure they make an impact.

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The evolution of hybrid events

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Hybrid events remain crucial, but quality matters more than quantity. Thoughtful planning ensures experiences cater to both in-person and remote employees, fostering genuine connection. Amanda highlighted how Pi Day celebrations at Chime creatively engage employees virtually and in person. A balanced mix of hybrid and in-person events keeps engagement dynamic and inclusive.

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Optimizing Chime’s event planning with Epoch

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At Chime, Amanda and her team use a data-driven approach to optimize event planning. In 2023, Chime hosted 271 events on Epoch, with their internal team executing 70 strategically curated experiences. This shift toward intentional, high-impact events ensures employees get the most value out of engagement opportunities.

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To further streamline event planning, Chime uses the Epoch Insights Dashboard to track engagement, categorize events by team, and identify opportunities for collaboration - like integrating volunteering and learning components into future experiences.

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Collaboration: bringing the right people along

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Successful EX strategies require cross-functional collaboration. Amanda underscored how working with internal communications and leadership helps ensure events align with broader company values and messaging.

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Building attendance & engagement

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Driving attendance is a top challenge in EX. Amanda noted that timing matters - understanding when performance reviews, goal-setting, and onsite gatherings occur allows for more strategic event planning. She also emphasized the importance of evaluating event relevance in today’s hybrid-first world, ensuring initiatives remain meaningful.

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Leadership buy-in: a game changer

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Leadership involvement can make or break EX initiatives. Amanda shared how setting clear goals and empowering teams to take ownership fosters stronger engagement. Documentation plays a critical role - providing clear guidelines ensures teams execute events effectively without reinventing the wheel each time.

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Trends shaping Employee Experience in 2025

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Amanda highlighted emerging trends shaping the future of EX:

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• AI-powered engagement: AI can enhance events, from witty auto-generated content to personalized recommendations.
• Mocktail culture: With an increased focus on inclusivity and well-being, alcohol-free social events are gaining traction.
• Creative inspiration: Ideas are everywhere. Books like The Creative Act remind us that inspiration is out in the universe - listening to employees and leadership can uncover valuable themes for events.
• The Power of Nostalgia - Nostalgia is playing a growing role in employee events, helping create moments of joy and connection. Throwback themes like ‘90s-inspired gatherings or carnival-style book fairs offer a sense of familiarity that makes people feel comfortable, engaged, and more open to interaction. Whether it’s through music, childhood favorites, or shared cultural touchpoints, nostalgia-driven experiences can foster deeper connections in the workplace.

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Turning ideas into experiences

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‍A great example of creative event planning? Chime’s company’s holiday party theme, Soundtrack of Chime, was inspired by leadership’s repeated references to “greatest hits” during all-hands meetings. The concept evolved into an interactive, hall-of-fame-style experience that resonated with employees and reinforced company culture.

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‍Bringing it all together

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‍As we step into 2025, one thing is clear: Employee experience thrives when it’s intentional, inclusive, and aligned with company values. Whether through hybrid events, leadership buy-in, or creative execution, organizations that prioritize connection will continue to build strong, engaged communities.

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Looking to level up your employee engagement strategy? Epoch makes it easy to plan, promote, and analyze the impact of your internal events. Ready to create meaningful experiences? Let’s talk.