Expedition TQL: Summer Picnic serves safari-themed fun

More than 3,000 TQL’ers celebrate sixth annual event at Kings Island

Welcome to the “jungle,” TQL’ers.

That was the idea behind a safari themed TQL Summer Picnic attended by more than 3,000 team members and their families at Kings Island and its water park, Soak City, on June 29.

For the sixth straight year, TQL’ers from Cincinnati HQ and 33 satellite offices were treated to parking vouchers and all-day access to the parks, including Kings Island’s 15 roller coasters, as well as a picnic dinner, games, face painting, photos and – for the first time – a reptile petting zoo.

Snakes? Check. Turtles? Check. Kids and adults interacted with reptiles brought by Cool Critters Outreach, a local education and rescue organization.

We invited our team members’ grandchildren to celebrate our slate of kid-friendly activities and freebies. All kids received clear stadium drawstring bags with tiger stripes (perfect for attending soccer matches at TQL Stadium), tiger-themed water bottles and printed photos against a safari backdrop.

Families also gathered in a green screen booth for photos with the Cool Critters. TQL’ers leaned into the spirit of fun by wearing oversized sunglasses and holding fun jungle props.

TQL mascot Axle Roads and our very own “safari guides” from Marketing mingled with families and entertained kids from the Kids Club Tent to the face painting station. Youths made their own safari visors at a craft station and raced down a double slide in the TQL Cares’ jungle-themed inflatable. They left the Cares station with free tiger-striped sunglasses.

Bingo returned once again with over 150 prizes for kids and adults. DJ Jon Jon emceed the game while mixing in festive summer music in what became a fun dance party. 

The TQL-provided buffet dinner was a crowd favorite. We continued our Summer Picnic tradition by providing burgers, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, baked beans, fruit, chips, ice cream and unlimited soft drinks.

An afternoon rainstorm didn’t deter the good times, and eventually the weather cleared. Many TQL’ers and their families stayed until the 10 p.m. fireworks show at closing time.

Thanks to the elite hospitality of 30 TQL volunteers and a schedule packed with fun, TQL’s jungle-themed Summer Picnic had something for everyone.

Want to work for a company that knows how to have fun? Check out TQL jobs.