This annual event has now become infamous at Boeing and allows us to get a little bit of one-up-man-ship with GE by making our party better than theirs.
We were allowed to invite as many Boeing employees as we wanted, mainly those who we interact with on a daily basis. All in all, over 550 people accepted. We were also happy to here reports that this year's GE party was a very dull affair.
When we arrived, we were forced to don flashing badges and directed to the open bar. We then walked into the massive function room, complete with 4 course "finger food", a stage and dance floor and an 8 foot Rolls-Royce ice sculpture.
The "finger food" was different. The appetisers consisted of salmon, shrimp, prawns, oysters and the useful party favourites. The main was then a slab of meat and a salad bar. I say slab, they basically cooked half a cow and sawed a piece off for you. Problem being its hard to cut meat standing up whilst holding your plate and drink. Then came what I can only assume is an American party favourite; the mashed potato bar. You were provided with a cocktail glass of mashed potato and a myriad of different toppings and sauces. Can't say I tried it, but I wonder how many people mistook it for an ice-cream parlour after a few drinks. The desserts and coffee station was out of this world. I was particularly impressed with the American take on a mince pies; something I didn't realise was British until this evening. The issue with it was it was twice the size of a normal mince pie and 4 times as filling. It was like having an entire meal again.
The evening's music was provided by a band called Mr Pink, an all male group who sang the songs of the great Divas (and Lady Gaga). The lead singer was scarily good at singing like a woman, so it's not surprising that the same band sang the same songs the year before but under the title "The Afrodisiacs"; the difference being they did it in drag. The song choice also provide me with more insight into what European music has made it across the pond, its quite surprising and disturbing at times.
I wasn't surprised when I found out that the event costs around $250k to put on, but it is seen as the networking event of the year; all the Trent 1000 and RR seniors had flown over from the UK for meetings that just happened to coincide with the party. There was a definite wedding dancing vibe watching the head of engineering and the head of the Trent 1000 project dancing with the Boeing chief test pilot. They were all remarkably approachable though; the chief test pilot is also a glider pilot.
The 1 downside of the party was in true Seattle tradition it all stopped very abruptly and very early; we left the event before 10. Didn't make it any easier getting up the next day though!
Photos up in the Seattle Gallery
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