July 16, 2026
By Veronica Blankenship, Chief People & Communications Officer
Summer means many things at Talking Rain, but one of my favorites is always the annual BBQ! On a sunny afternoon in June, while preparing to tuck into food truck delicacies and ice cream floats at TRBC headquarters, Rain Makers paused to celebrate one another and all the things we’ve already accomplished this year. It’s one of those traditions that reminds me of who we are. Before the long holiday weekend, in the gorgeous Seattle summer sun, we take a moment to come together as Rain Makers to celebrate our accomplishments, enjoy each other’s company, and reconnect with the people who make Talking Rain special.
What I love most about the day is that it brings together so many parts of our extended Rain Maker community. From our Rain Makers to our community partners and neighbors, the day serves as a reminder that the relationships we build are every bit as important as the work we do.
We also recognized our GOAT winners from the Memorial Day See You in the Aisles event. SYITA is our twice-yearly activation where Rain Makers across the country head into retail stores to make sure our products are well-stocked before some of the biggest sales weekends of the year.
As we head into the heart of summer, recognizing these Rain Makers from different departments felt especially meaningful. We truly are one team! The BBQ offers us a chance to celebrate the incredible effort that goes into serving our customers and consumers, and to build energy for the busy season still ahead!
As I looked around that afternoon, I saw exactly what makes Talking Rain special. Colleagues that have become friends and respected partners catching up over lunch. New connections being made. Warrior Veteran Graduates from K9s For Warriors sharing their stories. Rain Makers asking American Cancer Society’s Executives Against Cancer about resources for their loved ones. Our Preston neighbors at HIDEF offering their PT services and insights to live fully, and our amazing departments coming out as a united front to share their latest and greatest innovations with one another.
Events like this remind me that culture isn’t something that exists in a presentation or on a poster. It’s built into moments when people come together, take pride in what they’ve accomplished, and invest in the relationships that help us do our best work.
The Summer BBQ continues to be one of my favorite ways to kick off the summer season because it captures so much of what it means to be a Rain Maker- bringing energy, showing appreciation, having fun, and creating memorable experiences together. Here’s to a strong summer, an exciting second half of the year, and continuing to bring full flavor to everything we do.