2025 Area 51 Recap: Chase the Horizon

If you’ll never reach the destination, is the journey still worth taking?

Chase the Horizon, the theme of 2025 Area 51, captured an ethos shared by history’s greatest explorers and innovators: the relentless pursuit of new ideas moves us forward. Ambiguity and uncertainty? They’re features, not bugs.

Area 51, 84.51°’s annual team building event, celebrated 10 years of progress with an eye on the future. Connection, intentionality, and a shared commitment to growth defined every conversation.

A decade of progress

A packed Aronoff Center represented how far 84.51° has come in just 10 years. Today, the company is officially on the “big stage,” and if you asked any one of the 1,000+ 84.51° associates, we’re just getting started.

Kicking off the event, 84.51° President Milen Mahadevan recognized associates for their contributions, including a special shoutout to those who have been tirelessly building since day one. What a ride it has been!

The only constant

Change is inevitable. In a stirring companywide address, Milen underscored the importance of adapting in the face of challenges. Adversity is part of growth. How we respond determines how far we can go.

Whether we’re launching transformative AI solutions, enhancing technology to better serve client needs, or refining our strategic goals, we’re always evolving. The future belongs to those who see change not as an obstacle, but as a catalyst for innovation.

Keynote speaker: Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour

Chasing the horizon takes on a different meaning with Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour. America’s first Black female Marine combat pilot and Area 51 keynote speaker delivered an inspired message that focused on overcoming obstacles—situational and systemic.

In the opening minutes of her presentation, FlyGirl captured everyone’s attention by recounting a rescue mission that nearly ended in disaster, until her last-second actions allowed Marines on the ground to escape hostile territory.

Admittedly, transforming the future of grocery retail has different pressures than saving lives in combat. But there’s at least one similarity: resilience is mission-critical. Though we may work on different business teams, our purpose is shared. Every insight, every action, every decision ladders up to one 84.51° mission: helping Kroger win.

Throughout the presentation, FlyGirl’s wisdom emphasized themes such as:

Acknowledge obstacles, but don’t give them power.

Every worthwhile endeavor has challenges. It’s okay to recognize them, but they can’t steal your agency. Reframing problems as opportunities for growth makes you stronger.

Take off from where you are

If you wait for the runway to appear, you may never leave the ground. FlyGirl’s call to take initiative reminded us that progress begins with a single decision to lift off from where we stand. The risk of standing still always outweighs the risk of taking flight. When we move, we grow—and our growth fuels success for Kroger and our brand partners.

Permission to engage

We can all become paralyzed by waiting for permission. So when you see an opportunity to make something better, take it. Everyone has the power to bring about transformational change at a personal, team, and organizational level. This was a call to action to get better every day, seek innovation, and stay curious about what’s next. Every step forward contributes to Kroger’s mission and growing our customers’ brands.

Onward and upward

So, what does it really mean to Chase the Horizon? It’s a promise to relentlessly pursue progress, wherever it takes us. Success isn’t about reaching an endpoint, but about fearlessly moving forward when there’s no finish line in sight.

This explorer’s mindset is the north star that will guide 84.51° into its next chapter. From better serving our brand partners to helping Kroger win, we have the power—individually and collectively—to make a meaningful impact. Milen said it best in his closing remarks: “Permission to engage is granted.”