10th annual MSP Nice Celebration recognizes employees and volunteers for extraordinary customer service

The MSP Airport Customer Service Action Council celebrated its record-breaking cohort of MSP Nice Award winners this week with lively entertainment, camaraderie and unprecedented prizes. 

Hundreds of MSP Airport employees, volunteers and their families gathered at the Hyatt Regency Bloomington on Wednesday to recognize the hard work and exemplary customer service of 280 MSP Nice Award winners, the largest group of winners in the program’s 10-year history. 

“It’s my favorite day of the year,” said Phil Burke, assistant director of Customer Experience for the MAC and emcee at the celebration. 

The awards are administered by the MAC in partnership with the Customer Service Action Council (CSAC) to recognize and reward MSP employees and volunteers who exhibit excellent customer service when they receive unsolicited compliments by travelers. MAC Customer Programs Coordinator Katlyn Schenck manages the program, recognizing winners throughout the year with a framed certificate, a $25 Target gift card, an MSP Nice pin and an invitation to the MSP Nice Celebration. 

With 377 total awards in 2024 — some individuals received multiple traveler compliments — the celebration’s 10th anniversary was as energetic as ever. It included live music, a 360-degree photobooth, an improv performance, and a chance to win dozens of prizes. Raffle winners walked away with household appliances including a robot mop and an air fryer, experiences including Elko Speedway tickets and a Twin Cities bus tour and — as part of a bonus “10 flights for 10 years” giveaway — a St. Paul helicopter tour and generous flight vouchers from MSP airlines. 

Award winners play “a key role in creating a welcoming atmosphere at MSP,” MAC COO and CSAC Chair Roy Fuhrmann told the crowd of more than 500 attendees. 

“Thanks to all of you, MSP is thriving,” added CEO Brian Ryks, tallying the accolades that the airport received for customer experience and satisfaction in 2024. “Without you, we would not be here today.”