Black Tie 2 - The Collier Trophy

Well, we had the chance to go to another black tie gala event last week. This time it was the Collier Trophy Presentation Banquet. Once again (just like "Black Tie 1"), Dan's lawyer/lobbyist co-worker called them the "Geek Awards". "Everyone there are engineers" he says. So? What was his point?

The Robert J. Collier trophy is presented annually by the National Aeronautic Association "for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles". This trophy has been presented every year since 1911, and recipients include a long list of individuals and companies who were pioneers and giants of the aviation industry and space exploration. The Boeing Company has been a recipient at least six times. (To learn more about the NAA and the Collier Trophy, click here.)

This year the Collier Trophy was presented to CAST - the Commercial Aviation Safety Team. This is a public/private partnership comprised of representatives from every aspect of commercial aviation - from airlines to manufacturers to air traffic controllers. In existence for 10 years, CAST systematically analyzes the aviation system and makes improvements in equipment, procedures and training. Boeing has been an integral member of CAST since its inception. The NAA awarded the Collier Trophy to CAST "...for achieving an unprecedented safety level in U.S. commercial airlines operations by reducing risk of a fatal airline accident by 83%, resulting in two consecutive years with no commercial scheduled airline fatalities".

Dan is not a member of CAST, but as the Boeing Washington DC technical manager, he is associated with the those who are. Dan also helped coordinate the plans for the trophy presentation banquet for Boeing. So he and Barb were able to attend this gala event. It was a fun evening, very well done, and Barb got to meet a lot of people who Dan works with, both from Seattle and DC.

And now, to the pics:

We enjoy get dressed up .... and lookin' fine!

Beautiful settings - and a delicious meal!

With the Collier Trophy. Big, isn't it? The replicas presented to the winners is 18" tall.

As I said in Black Tie 1, to the long-time DC people, these events are not so exciting because they go to so many - it becomes old hat. I am happy to say that we have not reached that point yet.