Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) will say “Thank you!” to passengers during the week of October 17-21 with Customer Appreciation Week. In conjunction with this special week, FWA will be launching a therapy dog program, Hospitality PAWS. In partnership with Pets Assisting Well-Being and Success, Inc. (PAWS, Inc.). the program is beginning with a special Customer Appreciation Week schedule of daily visits from Alliance of Therapy Dogs registered handler and dog teams to bring passengers calm and comfort. Customer Appreciation Week celebrations also include event partner Visit Fort Wayne and a variety of promotions.

The celebration will kick off bright and early each morning. Departing passengers will be sampling fall specialty drinks from Seattle’s Best Coffee each morning from 6:00 to 9:00 AM. An FWA prize package will be given each day to an early morning “Road Warrior” through a raffle drawing.

FWAs Hospitality Hosts will be joined by different guest hosts from around the community, who will don the iconic blue vests to dole out hospitality (and cookies) FWA style. The official guest host schedule includes:

· Monday, October 17, 10:00-11:00 AM: Wayne Mad Ants (Mad Ant mascot)

· Tuesday, October 18, 10:00-11:00 AM: Visit Fort Wayne

· Wednesday, October 19, 3:00-4:00 PM: Fort Wayne Komets ( Icy D. Eagle mascot and players)

· Friday, October 21, 10:00-11:00 AM: Mayor Tom Henry

· Friday, October 21, 3:00-4:00 PM: Fort Wayne TinCaps (Johnny mascot)

During the afternoons the smell of popcorn will fill the terminal, as passengers indulge in a pop-up snack stop before their flights. Late night passengers won’t be left out, the final flight of the day will be greeted with a late night snack of FWA cookies and treats from local vendors. One lucky flight per day will be surprised with FWA themed goodies. Event partner Visit Fort Wayne will be participating in the gift drop in addition to having representatives serve as guest hosts. Customer Appreciation Week has become an annual tradition for FWA; a week to celebrate passengers and the entire community.