By now you've probably read the articles, gotten the Twitter updates, or even seen a local news story about SWA bucking the current economic situation and going on with a huge Employee party in Las Vegas; and you are probably wondering how in the world this happened.  Well what happened in Vegas last week is definitely NOT staying there—the stories, pictures, and LUV will live on forever.

The Southwest Airlines 2009 Las Vegas SPIRIT Party would not have been possible without the incredible generosity of our Spirit Party Partners:  Fremont Street Experience, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, The Golden Nugget, and Anheuser Busch.  Thanks also goes to:  Coca Cola, The Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Monster, Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Celebrity Coaches, Republic Services, Bunzl, and Reddy Ice.

Partygoers arrived in droves--would you believe that more than 7,000 Southwest Employees and guests attended? What a tremendous turnout! Those who attended had the privilege of enjoying the evening’s many festivities:  a laser-light show customized for Southwest; tasty BBQ and thirst-quenching beverages; and the evening’s highlight of Gary, Miss USA Kristen Dalton, Elvis, and a few showgirls all unveiling the Operation: Kick Tail trophy!  This beauty was presented to all Southwest Airlines Employees for achieving our 2008 Company goals.  Congratulations to everyone! 

As usual, our SPIRIT Party was not all for FUN—we always make sure they are for a good cause too.  Everyone who attended donated one canned food item as admission to the party.  From those efforts alone, we brought in 4,489 pounds of food for Three Square—the food solution for Southern Nevada.  Thanks to your donations, we made a tremendous impact in the Las Vegas community.

When all was said and done, a great time was had by all, and we seriously can not thank our Spirit Party Partners enough for helping us make this event one of our best ever.