30/07/2026
There’s an art to a good out-of-office message.
Of course, the most important job is to let people know when you’ll be back, but great communication doesn’t always have to be serious. Sometimes the best messages are the ones that make people smile.
At Keystone, the team are taking some well-earned time off over the summer (at various points, of course, we’re an events team after all, so everyone disappearing at once would be a spectacular example of poor planning… and very unlike us!).
While we’re still planning, delivering and supporting events as usual, we’ve been enjoying some of the more creative ways people let their contacts know they’re away.
A few of our favourites:
✈️ I'm on holiday. Which means I'm only checking emails when I need to look busy or escape a family drama.
🍦 I am on annual leave until [date]. I will allow each sender one email and if you send me multiple emails, I will randomly delete your emails until there is only one remaining. So think carefully before you send me anything further!
😎In the words of Ferris Bueller, ‘Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’ I’ll be taking some time to look around."
🌲I've gone to investigate whether fika really does solve every problem. If it doesn't, I'll answer your email when I return.
🚲I'm currently researching whether arriving everywhere by bicycle really does improve your mood. Early findings are promising.
🍽️I'm currently away embracing the French philosophy that life is too short to rush a good meal. I'll reply to your email when I'm back on [date]. Until then, merci for your patience!
🏖️I'm away until [date]. On my return I'll be starting at the top of my inbox and working down. If your email is time-sensitive, sending a fresh one when I'm back is probably more effective than asking whether I saw the first one.
I'm away, I'm away, learning that Irish place names don't always sound the way they look.
Wherever your travels take you, we hope you have a happy and safe break, with plenty of time to switch off and enjoy it. Enjoy your summer, and we’ll see you back in the inbox soon.