Operations Assembly is an annual, hybrid event focused on the development of Southwest Operational Leaders. We invite all Leaders are invited to tune in virtually, with a select group of Operational Leaders attend in person at the Wings Building at our Corporate Campus in Dallas. Experience an opening keynote from Andrew Watterson, get inspired by Senior Operations Leaders about how we’re prepared to kick tail in the upcoming winter season, participate in a workshop on getting results through innovative thinking with Jeremy Utley, and hear a motivational message from Coach Ken Carter on how Teams win the right way and rise to Excellence.

Excellence is one of Southwest's Values, but how do we know if we're on the path to achieve it? During Operations Assembly, we'll dive into the attributes associated with the Value of Excellence: Kick tail, get results, win the right way.

COO Andrew Watterson reflects on where we've been and where we’re heading as an operation that's both consistently reliable and one that operates with excellence.

Learn how we're prepared to kick tail in upcoming Winter Ops and through other operational challenges.

Partnering with the Innovation Team, Jeremy will introduce the concept of his book "Ideaflow: The Only Business Metric that Matters." We'll learn how to solve for problems that each Leader faces in their role, whether in the operation or connected to it.

Attendees will receive eye-opening and practical insights into how they can establish creativity as a daily practice and discipline in any position to invent what’s next. With a call to own their day, we’ll ask Leaders to challenge assumptions and identify barriers that get in the way of their own Excellence.

Attendees were given some pre-work to complete before Ops Assembly. First, they were asked to make a bug list. Identify pain points you encounter throughout your workday and write down the things that annoy you. Second, they were directed to block two 20-mintue appointments on their calendars within the two weeks after Leadership Conference to circle back to post-Conference. Additionally, during the session, Jeremy shared the Ideaflow Template, which is downloadable by clicking on the correlating image.

Coach Carter’s strategies for winning as a Team include focusing on one’s character, the love of learning, and the importance of self-discipline. Join Coach Carter takes you through his life experiences and shares how you can lead your Team to Excellence. His fundamental belief is that you must start with respect for others, your community, and your environment before you can attain your goals, personally and professionally.

Coach Carter is the founder and chairman of the Coach Ken Carter Foundation, a non-profit that promotes and provides education, training, and mentoring programs for minority youths. He also founded the Coach Carter Impact Academy, designed to enable disadvantaged youth to reach their full academic and life potential.