A Night to Remember: An Unforgettable Freddies

Last Thursday, April 27th, I got the amazing opportunity to attend the Freddie Awards! Infamous in the points, loyalty, and travel space as an award ceremony dedicated to the industry’s best, I was excited to attend my first event. Created by Boarding Area’s own, Randy Petersen, an individual I owe a great thanks to for help establishing Nonstop Points, it was a night I could not miss. 

After classes on Thursday afternoon, I drove up from Charlottesville to the event located at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles (IAD) airport, which is  not to be confused with the Air and Space Museum located in Washington D.C. 

The Cocktail Party

I personally am not sure if there is anything cooler than a cocktail party below a REAL space shuttle that has been in space.

As an av-geek, and surrounded by av-geeks, it was amazing to be in such a hangar that holds so many amazing vehicles. I’ve got to give it to the Freddies this year for setting up so many planes :).

It was a great opportunity to meet fellow bloggers and industry executives while marveling at the amazing air and space vessels around us. I finally got to meet so many of the individuals and acquaintances with whom I have only virtually spoken . Hence, it was a very exciting time. 

The Award Ceremony

When it was finally time to start the awards and eat our dinner, Randy appeared on stage in a space suit to kick off the night’s event. With some laughs under his belt, the awards began rolling out with the help of View from the Wing’s, Gary Leff, and Pizza in Motion’s, Ed Pizzarello.

I also was very pleased with the dinner, and very happy that the caterers managed to get me a gluten free meal. Honestly, this surprised me more than the space suit appearance. 

You can check out all of the awards here.

To end the event, Randy came back on stage, and in a bittersweet moment, announced his retirement from the Freddies. As a true icon in the travel, aviation, hotel and loyalty world, he is an amazing person that has undeniably made a difference in the industry for all of us. 

The Last Point

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to catch Randy at his last Freddie awards, while it being my first (and hopefully more to come). I really enjoyed my time at the event and want to thank everyone who made the night possible! Thank you, thank you, thank you.