Wrapped in glossy white paper, 170 awards were ready to be handed to their deserving recipients. But as the days ticked down to March 12, 2020 — the date of the PDX Excellence in Service awards — the atmosphere turned from anticipation to uncertainty.
The annual PDX Excellence in Service awards honors the PDX People who earned the title of “Customer Service Superstar” at the Portland International Airport. It is the event of the year for many. But as the day of the gala approached, so did rising concerns about the pandemic, and in the interest of everyone’s health and safety, we canceled the event.
Still, the team just couldn’t let the 170 superstars go unrewarded! PDX People make up the heart of our airport, and their unmatched dedication to exceptional customer service is what makes PDX so welcoming. So, over the past few months, our Customer Relations team found creative ways to distribute swag bags to the award-winning PDX People. That included a physically distanced roadway pickup, where we handed awards to airport employees and volunteers as they pulled up in their cars.
Superstars from all our partners — airlines, concessions, transportation, and more — were nominated by their own teams. Every nomination was accompanied by a note of appreciation from their manager.
Scroll down to read a few of these recognitions:
Thank you, PDX Customer Service Superstars (all winners named below). In tough times, you help us remember to smile and share a little kindness with each other.