VERY excited for football season this year and also pretty stoked to join my first money pool Fantasy Football league at work. Our draft party was Tuesday and was loads of fun mixed with stress. Next month my team has our quarterly summit and the team collaboration in planning events is really similar. These events are meant to be team-building activities whether you are life-long friends or just a group of people that just met. How else can you cram that many people in the same room towards the same goal?

1. Common passion
• Football fans may have loyalty to teams or players, but at the heart of it they just love watching the game. Team members may have various experience levels and motivations but everyone does want to do their jobs better. Whether that means a happier customer, a bigger paycheck, or self gratification these summit gatherings are great venues for learning!
2. Friendly competition
• Is your star player hurt this week? Is your quarterback not hitting his numbers? Even with a low scoring game, did you still beat your weekly competitor? Strengths and weaknesses of each person come alive but there are never hurt feelings in a game of fantasy football. At business summits, everyone is in the same room so there is no fingers pointed or negative lessons. Instead there is a focus on setting a good example, running through simulations, and brainstorming. Everyone contributes and everyone wins!
3. Good food
• I don't care who you are, free food is a instant magnet. If you have that pizza smell wafting through the halls, the people will come. Filling tummies always makes people happy and amiable and so whether you are yelling at a TV or brainstorming as a team, the added element of food will encourage attendance and involvement.