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Duuo’s Summer 2022 Highlights

Posted by Hayleigh Smith | Duuo

With only a few months of hot weather, we Canadians are basically experts at making the most of the summer months. As a result, the Duuo team really knocked it out of the park with their summer bucket lists this year! We recently caught up with a few of our team members to find out what their favourite memories of the season were, and considering the team had some great ones to share last year, we were amped to hear what they got up to this time around!

Here’s what they had to say:

“My first summer highlight was getting to travel around Canada throwing Taylor Swift-inspired dance parties with my best friends. My second highlight would be seeing one of those same friends get married. All in all, it’s been one heck of a summer!” Victoria Morton, Partnerships Marketing Manager

“Visiting Québec City for the first time and spending hours by the St. Lawrence River while the moon’s reflection on the water had created the most picturesque view could probably be the best way to spend my summer vacation.” Amir Mousavi, Lead UX Designer

“My highlight has to be my first ever time going on the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much going in but as soon as the boat started heading into the rapids I realized it was actually going to be awesome! I loved getting hit in the face with spray and watching the birds just chill out in the swirling water like it was nothing special.” Eric Tyndale, Marketing and Sales Director

“This summer, I really enjoyed our family stay at Mont Tremblant and our long weekend at a VRBO rental in Montebello.” Luc Lamadeleine, Claims Director

“My summer highlights were: 

  1. Going to the Kensington market in Toronto.
  2. Going for a jog in the rain. I was able to find a rainbow during one of my jogs.
  3. Enjoying Lake Ontario from different parts of the city.
  4. Visiting Ottawa for the AMO conference”

Devon Campbell, Partner Success Specialist

“My summer highlight was definitely having a ‘PEI Summer’ I got to spend so much time on the island this summer having a world of adventure from catching sunsets to watching my very best friend get married! I frequented many beaches, got a lot of ice cream, saw a couple of shows at the Confederation Centre and made countless memories that will last a lifetime. There is a quote from Lucy Maud Montgomery that perfectly captures everything I feel about this summer and it is as follows “All in all, it was a never to be forgotten summer- one of those summers which come seldom into any life, but leave a rich heritage of beautiful memories in their going – one of those summers which, in a fortunate combination of delightful weather, delightful friends and delightful doing, come as near to perfection as anything can come in this world” I couldn’t have said it better myself and I truly get emotional looking back on the absolute best summer of my life.” Katie Garland, Customer Success Team Lead

“My highlight was when my family took a trip to Tobermory. This was our first time there and we were celebrating my wife’s birthday. I got the opportunity to go snorkelling, never done that in my life. And it was breathtaking. We also had a memorable cottage trip and that was exciting since my wife had never been to cottage country.” Usama Yousuf, Product Manager

“For the last 3 years my family and I have been talking about taking a big trip to Ireland (both of my parents were born there and I grew up visiting frequently), and this year we finally got to go! We planned a super fun road trip and my brother and I were able to introduce our partners to a bunch of our family members while giving them their first ever tour of Ireland. We had so much fun.” Rachel Devitt, Brand and Communications Manager

“A few of my summer highlights:

  1. Cottaging with my family for a whole week in Thornbury – pretty impressed with the Scenic Caves in Blue Mountain.
  2. Spending my birthday in Belleville with my besties – Why Belleville you ask? Why not would be my response – but also, it’s close to my favourite beach, Sandbanks.
  3. Finally getting to see Banff and Jasper for the first time – it was bliss! But the highlight would definitely be renewing my Driver’s License less than 24 hours before I arrived at the car rental in Calgary (oops).  
  4. Attending my friend’s wedding – we’ve known each other since Grade 4 in Kuwait, then lived in separate countries for 17 years, and she’s now in Canada for the past 7 years!!” 

Vanessa Pereira, Senior Project Manager, EBM

“My favourite memory this summer was going to Toronto’s Pride festival in June. It was amazing to see the community come together to celebrate such an amazing event. It was awesome to see everyone come together into one space working towards actively breaking down the stigma and barriers that surround the LGBTQIA+ community. Not the mention the parade and music were extremely fun to see.” Courtney Duncan, Growth Marketing Coordinator

“While it wasn’t so much all the grueling weekends spent building our new ‘name TBD’ at the cottage, the finished product left us feeling accomplished which is why I would choose this as my highlight for summer 2022! Now we just need to add the décor this fall to finish it off.” Sunni Shannon, Partner Success Manager

“This summer, my brother and sister-in-law were finally able to celebrate their marriage with a reception that had been delayed for 2 years. They actually did get married 2 years ago in a very small private ceremony but this summer was the big party, with all the friends and family, that they wanted and deserved. Wonderful to have celebrated with them!” Adam Quinn-Taylor, Claims Manager

“My highlight for the summer is attending Fan Expo and the K-pop band SVT concert at the Scotia Arena.” Jeff He, Growth Marketing Manager

“My summer highlight was definitely my trip to Barcelona and the South of France! I’ve never travelled outside North America and I’ve been wanting to since I was a little kid. It was a trip of a lifetime and I can’t wait to go somewhere new next summer!” Hayleigh Smith, Jr. Content Marketing Specialist

About the author

Hayleigh Smith
Hayleigh is Duuo’s Content Marketing Specialist. When she’s not managing Duuo’s social media, writing blogs, and developing marketing content, you can find her sketching, practicing her tattoo skills, or listening to music!