Each year, thousands of Agodans come together for aGROWda, our annual learning week, to build new skills, share knowledge, and connect through panel discussions, workshops, and sharing sessions.
With over 7,000 employees joining from around the world, making it all happen takes real teamwork and collaboration. In this story, we’ll take you behind the scenes to show how our Learning and Development team collaborates across the company to turn big ideas into a week of inspiration, connection, and growth for every Agodan.
Growth That’s Personal, Meaningful, and Lasting
When the team set out to design this year’s aGROWda, they focused on what employees truly needed. “We started with a simple question: what do our people really need right now?” shared Karin Biran, Senior Manager, Learning and Development.
They pored over engagement surveys, sat with leaders, and tuned into conversations across Agoda. “Again and again, the conversation circled back to one theme: Growth. Not just the kind that comes with a new title or a bigger team, but the kind that’s personal, meaningful, and lasting,” Karin added. That idea became the heartbeat of aGROWda 2025.
Engaged to Grow: Leaders Leading by Sharing
A highlight of aGROWda each year is the panel discussions with our leadership team, where they openly share their journeys. These sessions are always frank and honest, drawing together employees from across Agoda for real conversations about growth. This year, the team organized two standout panels led by Agoda’s executives, underscoring our commitment to learning from the top.
- The first panel explored what truly drives us beyond job titles, with leaders sharing personal stories about their values, priorities, and how they balance work with life.
- The second panel focused on the power of feedback, offering practical insights on how to effectively give, seek, and use feedback to fuel both personal and professional growth.
In addition to sessions led by Agoda leaders, two renowned external speakers joined us to offer fresh perspectives on understanding our strengths and building our personal brands. These sessions reinforced that real growth is about self-understanding, identifying your unique strengths, and considering the kind of impact you want to make.
Growth Stories from All Agodans
Career growth is unique for everyone, shaped by individual drivers and aspirations. To capture this richness, the team intentionally brought a wider range of voices to the forefront, interviewing Agodans from all levels and backgrounds.
“We started by interviewing Agodans from all levels and backgrounds, asking them what growth means to them. Their stories were recorded and shared across our internal channels, sparking conversations and connections throughout the company,” said Sakowkaew Kaewmongkolsawat (Noodaeng), Consultant, Learning & Development.
“By weaving together these diverse experiences and insights, we made the conversation about growth more meaningful and accessible to everyone. The message was clear: growth isn’t one-size-fits-all. We each have the power to shape our own path, learn from others, and become the best version of ourselves on our own terms,” Sudaphan Khankwa (Nam), Learning & Development Partner added.
A Global Celebration: Making the Experience Rewarding
As with everything we do at Agoda, aGROWda was brought to life in true Agoda style—fun, engaging, and memorable.
The Learning team had also set out to make the event an experience employees look forward to year after year. Throughout the week, Agodans enjoyed a variety of learning sessions, book giveaways, fun prizes, tasty snacks, and daily resources to support ongoing growth. The little things, including activities, swag, and a welcoming atmosphere, all made aGROWda engaging and meaningful.
While the main events were streamed from our Global Operations Center in Bangkok, offices around the world joined in to make sure every Agodan felt included. “Office Managers in Singapore, Shanghai, South Korea, and India organized Watch Parties, live-streaming the event from our Bangkok office,” said Aanchal Gupta, Associate Director, Learning & Development. “This initiative allowed our global employees to feel included and learn together during Learning Week!”
Ready to join a global tech and travel company where your growth is celebrated? Explore opportunities at Agoda and be part of a team that values learning, collaboration, and making a difference every day.
