From face coverings at work to plexiglass shields at counters, work life looks a little different these days for PDX People. But what hasn’t changed is the commitment to customer service. Each employee at PDX raises the bar and leads by example — it’s why our airport continues to be one of America’s Best.

To show our appreciation for the employees who make it all happen, we host an annual PDX Excellence in Service awards where customer service Superstars representing each of our partners — airlines, concessions, transportation and more — are nominated by their teams.

When last year’s festivities were canceled at the onset of the pandemic, we were able to honor our 2020 winners with a roadway event. We knew we needed to find an equally safe and special way to host a celebration for our 2021 Superstars. 

As the sun set on Friday, March 12, a giant movie screen rose up on the seventh floor of the short-term parking garage and the very first PDX Excellence in Service Awards drive-in movie began. The Superstars settled in to watch a program created just for them, with a thank you video featuring local Portland leaders and an awards ceremony with joyful honking in lieu of applause. The feature film? Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse – a superhero movie for Superstars, of course!

It was an evening full of smiles and camaraderie as PDX People proved that – even in the midst of a pandemic, staying six feet apart and in separate cars – we are still in this together.

Want to see more? Check out all the photos from the event and click through the slideshow below to read the notes of appreciation for the Superstars from their managers and teammates.