At MacKay, some of our best traditions have the simplest beginnings. Chili Dog Day, a monthly gathering at our Vancouver office, started years ago with leftover hot dogs, a pot of chili, and a team willing to turn an ordinary lunch into something memorable.
How Chili Dog Day Began
The tradition traces back to longtime MacKay employee Rich Martin, who is now retired. Rich was cooking hot dogs for the company’s annual picnic when he decided to bring the leftovers back to the office.
The team paired the hot dogs with leftover chili, and a MacKay tradition was born.
At the time, MacKay had just 15 employees. What started as an impromptu lunch became something the team looked forward to, eventually evolving into a monthly tradition that continues today.
A Monthly MacKay Tradition
On the first Wednesday of every month, employees at our Vancouver office gather for Chili Dog Day. The menu may have expanded over the years, but the spirit of the tradition remains the same: good food, good conversation, and time spent together outside of the usual workday.
As MacKay has grown, so has our team. But traditions like Chili Dog Day help keep us connected to the people and stories that have shaped our company over the years.
More Than Just Lunch
Company traditions can be a simple way to build connection and strengthen workplace culture. For MacKay, Chili Dog Day is one of those small moments that brings people together, creates opportunities to connect across teams, and gives longtime employees a chance to share a little company history with newer members of the team.
Our company may look different than it did when Rich first brought those leftover hot dogs back to the office, but some things are worth keeping.
So, on the first Wednesday of every month, you’ll find the Vancouver MacKay team gathering around for one of our favorite traditions.
The team has grown. The hot dog selection has grown. And Chili Dog Day is still going strong.
