I recently had the privilege of photographing an extraordinary executive retreat in Napa Valley, produced by the talented team at Arrange & Engage. The client was Varicent, and this was the kind of event that raises the bar for what a corporate retreat can be.
Matthew Emerzian, author of You Matter, speaks at the Varicent executive retreat at Four Seasons Napa Valley
The day opened at the Four Seasons Napa Valley with a morning of high-caliber keynote sessions. Varicent's CEO, Marc Altshuler, welcomed the group before introducing the day's featured speaker: Matthew Emerzian, founder of Every Monday Matters and author of You Matter. Matthew delivered a genuinely moving session on the power of showing up for the people around you — equal parts humor, vulnerability, and inspiration. The room was fully engaged from start to finish, and it set exactly the right tone for the day ahead.
After the morning sessions, the energy shifted — literally. Guests stepped outside to find a jaw-dropping lineup of exotic supercars courtesy of the Napa Valley Car Club: Ferraris, Lamborghinis, a McLaren, a Bentley, and a Porsche lined up under a brilliant blue Napa sky. The convoy made its way through the valley in style, arriving at Round Pond Estate for a private olive oil tasting hosted in the estate's open-air pavilion with vineyard views stretching out to the hills. The afternoon light, the long communal table, the cobalt tasting glasses — it was a photographer's dream.
The evening brought the group to Auro, the celebrated Michelin-starred restaurant at the Four Seasons. The table settings — candlelight, white florals, dark menus with gold script — were as impeccably composed as the food. A perfect close to a perfect day.
Working alongside Arrange & Engage and founder Ashley Ronkowski was a genuine pleasure. Ashley's ability to orchestrate an experience of this caliber — seamlessly moving a group of executives from boardroom to supercar to vineyard to Michelin-starred table — is a testament to why she is one of the best in the corporate event planning business.
If you are planning a corporate executive retreat, leadership offsite, or high-end corporate event in Napa Valley or anywhere in the Bay Area, I would love to work with your team. Great photography doesn't just document the day — it tells the story of your brand and the people who make it exceptional.