On Friday, December 13, 2024, members of The Wicks Group (TWG) attended the 76th Annual Wright Memorial Dinner as a Silver Sponsor. The celebration took place at the beautiful Westin Washington, D.C. Hotel. Hosted by the Aero Club of Washington, the Memorial Dinner honored the recipient of the National Aeronautic Association’s 2024 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy — the late Ben Baldanza. Mr. Baldanza served as the CEO and President of Spirit Airlines from 2005-2016. He is particularly lauded for increasing the accessibility of airline travel for American people by utilizing innovative methods to reduce the cost of airfare and ushering in the low-cost carrier category.
The Memorial Dinner also included the presentation of the Aero Club of Washington’s Person of the Year Award. Chairman Sam Graves, Chair Maria Cantwell, and Ranking Members Rick Larsen and Ted Cruz received the award for developing and facilitating the movement of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 through Congress. This act cements the growth and strength of the U.S. aviation industry’s infrastructure, technology, workforce, and safety.
The celebration commenced with a reception. Festivities continued during the Memorial Dinner, which began with the Presentation of the Colors and National Anthem led by the U.S. Armed Forces Color Guard. Following the awards presentations, the recipients of the Person of the Year Award who were present for the dinner held a public conversation regarding their work on the FAA Reauthorization Act. The evening closed with a lively afterparty featuring a performance by the RockLanding Band.
It was a wonderful evening! The TWG team greatly appreciated the opportunity to attend and sponsor the Wright Memorial Dinner. The Wicks Group congratulates the late Ben Baldanza and his family for receiving the 2024 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy and also Chairman Sam Graves, Chair Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member Rick Larsen, and Ranking Member Ted Cruz for receiving the inaugural Persons of the Year Award.
For more information about The Wicks Group, please contact Glenn Wicks at gpwicks@wicks-group.com.