Wells Fargo ran a Build-A-Bike® charity team building event at The Westin Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 21, 2026. Six hundred new hires and analysts competed through team challenges, assembled 100 bicycles, and donated them to Trips for Kids Charlotte, a nonprofit that gives young people in the region access to cycling and outdoor adventure.
Wells Fargo is one of the largest financial services companies in the United States. Their New Hire program brings incoming employees together before their careers formally begin, using shared experiences to establish the team culture new hires will carry forward.
How 600 Wells Fargo New Hires Built 100 Bikes in 90 Minutes at Build-A-Bike® in Charlotte, NC
The Wells Fargo group included analysts and new hires beginning a new chapter with the organization. Some employees already knew one another, while others were meeting for the first time. The Build-A-Bike® experience gave everyone a reason to get involved right away. Instead of relying on traditional introductions, teams jumped into challenges that required immediate cooperation.
The 600 attendees split into 100 teams and tackled a series of collaborative challenges. Each challenge pushed teammates to communicate clearly and work toward a shared objective. They also had to divide responsibilities and recognize each person’s strengths. Along the way, the competitive atmosphere brought plenty of energy into the room.
The event quickly became more than another item on the new-hire agenda. Colleagues laughed, competed, solved problems, and celebrated their progress together. The experience helped employees build relationships while practicing skills they could use back at work.
Turning Teamwork Into A Community Donation
The teams eventually put their new connections to work on a larger goal. Together, they assembled 100 bicycles during the 90-minute experience. Wells Fargo then donated all 100 bikes to Trips For Kids Charlotte.
The donation extended the team’s work beyond The Westin Charlotte. It gave the event a clear connection to the local community and its young people. For the Wells Fargo employees, their teamwork produced something tangible for others.
The event also received strong feedback from Wells Fargo. Afterward, the company shared that “the group had a great time.” The Westin Charlotte team enjoyed the presentation as well. Hotel representatives even discussed bringing a similar team building experience to their own organization.
Wells Fargo created a memorable start for hundreds of new employees through this Build-A-Bike® event. The experience encouraged employees to communicate, collaborate, and rely on one another. More importantly, it gave them an opportunity to connect their teamwork with community impact.
We’d like to thank Wells Fargo for building a New Hire program that left Charlotte with something real.
Looking for a charity team building activity for a large on-boarding group or corporate event? Build-A-Bike® works at any scale and gives every participant a team to compete for and a donation worth building.