Texas Research International, Inc. (TRI), a conglomerate of 13 employee owned small businesses employing over 120 scientists, loves to give back to its team members and have some fun. Though the company spends most of its time performing applied research, product development and lab services for a wide variety of industries, corporate staff wanted to find a way to celebrate the summer’s end, even if not that of the Texas heat. “Let’s go Go Kart racing!” said CEO Scott Strehli, believing everyone would embrace their own need for speed. He apparently knows his employees well; all insisted that this exhilarating experience become an annual tradition.

On Labor Day 2019, more than 140 employees and their families ventured out to the Circuit of the Americas, site of the country’s only Formula 1 and MotoGP races. Everyone assembled in small groups to go head to head at speeds of 30, 40, and even 55 miles per hour. While waiting for their turn, participants could also relax with a cold drink and a catered meal in the COTA Velocity Lounge. They could elect to excite their endorphins in another way by braving the track’s zip line, the top of which offered an aerial view of the entire breathtaking facility against the central Texas landscape. Needless to say, the whole group left satisfied and better connected with one another than just strictly office environment allows.

The COTA Karting marks the most recent of TRI’s many outings designed to cultivate camaraderie between coworkers. Among the most exciting of these excursions occurred last December when the company ended the year with a Casino-themed winter party, featuring friendly competition and extravagant prizes. The TRI team additionally enjoys Round Rock Express baseball games and group trips to Schlitterbahn together. For this year’s holiday party, we are looking forward to an eventful evening at Punch Bowl Social, complete with mini golf, bowling, and a vintage arcade gaming.