Every year at WGI, we set aside time to celebrate the people who make our success possible: our associates.
YES Week (Years of Exceptional Service) is one of our favorite traditions: a week dedicated to appreciation, connection, recognition, and a little bit of unexpected fun. It’s our way of celebrating the incredible people behind WGI’s continued growth and success while recognizing the years of dedication that have helped shape our company into what it is today.
This year’s celebration felt especially fitting as we marked our 54th Year of Exceptional Service… and what better way to celebrate than by opening the gates to Area 54?
Inspired by conspiracy theories, alien encounters, and one very passionate truth-seeker named Tin Foil Tim, YES Week 2026 kicked off with a mysterious broadcast warning associates of unusual activity approaching WGI Headquarters. Strange signals appeared. UFO sightings increased. Communications became unreliable. And before we knew it, our offices across the country had transformed into full-scale extraterrestrial investigation zones.
Throughout the week, our associates fully embraced the theme, turning their offices into Area 54 command centers complete with alien encounters and enough tin foil to make Tim feel completely justified.
And of course, no YES Week would be complete without a packed lineup of activities.
Associates put their knowledge to the test with daily crossword puzzles, Word Scrambles, and Wordle Wednesday challenges while also competing in multiple rounds of company trivia hosted by our resident game master, Ira Wolf. Teams also raced through office scavenger hunts, collaborated on colorful office masterpieces through our YES Week Coloring Wall tradition, and brought plenty of friendly competition to games like Capture the Flag and Bingo.
But one of the week’s standout moments came from our newest addition: the Tin Foil Hat Competition.
Associates across WGI fully embraced their inner conspiracy theorists by creating custom headwear ranging from alien-defense technology to elaborate intergalactic fashion statements. Offices selected their champions before opening the competition to a companywide vote to determine WGI’s ultimate Area 54 survivor.
The creativity didn’t stop there.
Our annual Office Decorating Contest once again became one of the highlights of the week as teams transformed workspaces into immersive experiences that showcased not only incredible imagination, but the culture of collaboration and excitement that exists across WGI.
And while the games and themes create unforgettable memories, the true purpose of YES Week remains recognition.
This year, we proudly celebrated associates reaching major service milestones across their WGI careers, honoring individuals whose dedication and commitment continue to drive our success forward year after year.
Whether someone is celebrating five years or several decades with WGI, YES Week serves as a reminder that every contribution matters and every milestone deserves recognition.
Throughout the week, associates also came together during our YES Week Town Hall to hear updates from leadership, reflect on company achievements, and celebrate everything that makes WGI such a special place to work.
From broadcasts to suspicious transmissions, YES Week 2026 reminded us that our culture isn’t just built on projects and milestones. It’s built on people.
To all of our associates: thank you for bringing your creativity and enthusiasm to Area 54 and for making this year’s YES Week one of our best yet!
And if you’re reading this thinking, I’d like to be part of something like that, visit our Careers Page and explore opportunities to join a team that knows how to celebrate exceptional service.
With Area 54 officially declassified, we’re closing the file on another unforgettable YES Week. But one thing remains undeniable: our associates are what make WGI exceptional.
