The state-side option - really the main bulk of this year's event - will begin on Wednesday evening in IAH with dinner followed by an event with CO (and probably UA) on Thursday morning before the charter flight and tours on Friday. You are welcome to join on Wednesday night, Thursday morning or Friday morning. You could even potentially meet with the group in PHX and just do that and the charter to PAE but there will not be a discount for that.

It is possible to do most of the event with only two days away from work - Thursday and Friday.

And if you live in IAH and just want to come to the FT Awards dinner on Thursday night there is that option, too, but that will be a different thread.