What happens when friendly rivalry, creativity, and a whole lot of heart come together at Power Design? You get Pirates & Pitmasters – our most flavor-packed, adrenaline-fueled event of the year!
From slow-smoked barbeque to high-speed scavenger hunts, teams brought their A-game (and their appetite) to the GRID for a day full of energy, camaraderie, and giving back to the communities where we live and work.
Fired Up for a Cause
The competition kicked off the night before, as 14 teams from different departments across Power Design fired up their grills and cooked through the night for the big BBQ showdown. But this wasn’t just about bragging rights and tasty eats – it was about making an impact. Each team represented a charity that they were passionate about, with prize money going straight to their cause.
When the smoke cleared and the judges made their decisions, it was Team Ghost Ship Grillers from the barbeque who took home top win and a prize of $10,000 for the Beth Dillinger Foundation. But nobody went home with an empty stomach – each represented charity received at least $1,000, and the top three walked away with even more.
Racing for Treasure
Meanwhile, things were up across the GRID. Fourteen teams laced up their sneakers for the Amazing Race, sprinting across campus in a fast-paced quest filled with challenges, puzzles, and physical feats. Every checkpoint was an opportunity to earn coins – and every coin brought their charity closer to the prize.
After a wild dash to the finish, our winners were:
1st Place: Ship Happens, winning $10,000 for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
2nd Place: Golden Buccaneers, winning $5,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters
3rd Place: Rum Runners winning, $2,500 for Moffit Cancer Center
But no team went home empty-handed: just like our pitmasters, every charity represented in the race received at least $1,000 thanks to the dedication and hustle of their team.
Take behind-the-scenes look ⬇️
More Than a Competition
This event was definitely one for the books! Food trucks served up delicious eats, coworkers battled it out in yard games, and our whole #PDIFamily came together to cheer for a good cause. Whether our team members were in it for the BBQ, the race, or just the good vibes out in the St. Pete sunshine, this event proved once again that we’re stronger (and more fun) together.
In total, Pirates & Pitmasters helped raise over $60,000 for more than 20 incredible charities. A day of flavor, fun, and giving back? That’s a win all around!
Power Design
Our mission is to be the most trusted partner. With passion and accountability, we will deliver unmatched performance and a PlusONE experience. At Power Design we build more than just buildings - we build relationships that last.
Power Design
Our mission is to be the most trusted partner. With passion and accountability, we will deliver unmatched performance and a PlusONE experience. At Power Design we build more than just buildings - we build relationships that last.
