WOW! WHAT A GREAT WEEK AT AIRVENTURE 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009 at 12:41PM WOW! WHAT A GREAT WEEK AT AIRVENTURE 2009
On Sunday, I called AirVenture 2009 "the best ever" as I addressed the
media during my traditional closing-day comments. While it's easy to
throw out the "best ever" phrase each year until it has no meaning, I
truly believe that this year would qualify for a number of reasons.
First, the event was a very safe one, with only minor aircraft and
grounds incidents and no major injuries. In addition, we had mentioned
prior to the event that the lineup of aircraft, people and programs was
the best and deepest we've ever had at Oshkosh, and that proved to be
true. We were optimistic when early numbers showed increases in advance
ticket sales and camping registration, but what happened during those
seven days at Oshkosh exceeded all expectations. We began creating
additional camping and auto parking areas early in the week and didn't
stop until midway through the weekend. Aircraft parking and camping in
the North 40 was filled for a period on both Monday and Tuesday. In
all, it totaled a 12 percent increase in total attendance for the week,
to 578,000, and some 41,000 overnight campers in aircraft and drive-in
camping. Nearly all of the challenges we faced during the week were
ones caused by high demand from larger-than-expected crowds. AirVenture
2009 was vital for the entire aviation community, as it provided a
non-government "stimulus package" for both aviation business and
attitudes.
SITE UPGRADES ARE PERFECT ADDITIONS
The nearly $4 million EAA committed to site improvements and upgrades
over the past 11 months proved to be money well spent to handle the
large crowds this year. We received very positive feedback on such
items as the flush toilets, new pedestrian walkways, and restricted
vehicle areas. All feedback we receive will be used to tweak this
year's enhancements and in planning for future years.
GATHERING OF EAGLES BRINGS IN ALMOST $2 MILLION
On Thursday evening, EAA hosted its annual "Gathering of Eagles"
fundraiser for our education and restoration programs. The sold-out
event welcomed more than 1,000 people and raised approximately $1.8
million through auction items and various other challenges. The top
auction item was again the one-of-a-kind Ford Mustang, as the "Dearborn
Doll" was sold for $250,000.
HOW TO COLLECT 20,000 FRIENDS IN A SHORT TIME
AirVenture 2009 was covered in online and digital media as never before.
Hal Bryan reported that as host of the Oshkosh365 site, he now has more
than 20,000 "friends" registered on that social media site. More video
pieces were posted on the www.airventure.org website than ever, and
video plays rose by double-digit percentages throughout the week. In
addition, more than 2,000 people signed up for instant updates through
EAA's Twitter feed, which provided instant news for everything from
aircraft camping availability to major aircraft arrivals. These efforts
will be a great help as we engage more people on a year-round basis.
SOME OTHER AIRVENTURE NUMBERS
In its 35th year of operation, the International Visitors Tent indicated
an increase in registrations, with 2,182 guests signing in from 75
nations ... Charlie Becker reported that the workshops buildings
welcomed more than 8,000 attendees through the weeklong event, a
dramatic increase from 2008 ... KidVenture was host to more than 25,000
young people and their families in its pavilion adjacent to Pioneer
Airport ... A total of 907 media representatives were on the grounds,
with journalists from six continents at Oshkosh.
EVENING PROGRAMS A BIG HIT ONCE AGAIN
EAA's evening programs once again drew huge crowds, with some events
certainly bringing in a large influx of one-day visitors who otherwise
might not come to enjoy the entire event. That was culminated with the
12,000 to 15,000 people who attended the Jeff Dunham concert last
Saturday night. The evening program with Sully Sullenberger and Jeff
Skiles on Friday also drew an overflow audience and several thousand
people even withstood the rain on opening day to stay for the Doobie
Brothers concert on AeroShell Square.
NOT MUCH TIME TO TURN THINGS AROUND
There isn't much time to catch one's breath for a number of EAA staff
members, as the first arrivals are already in the campground for the
Pathfinders International Camporee officially starting on Tuesday, Aug.
11 and running through Aug. 15. This event, held every five years, was
at EAA in 2004 and 1999. An estimated 25,000 youth campers from
Seventh-Day Adventist churches around the world will participate. They
will be primarily based at Camp Scholler, but have activities elsewhere
on the EAA grounds and in the community. Thanks to all the EAA staff
members who are pulling extra duty to help coordinate this effort.
EAA SIGNS SPONSORSHIP WITH ROCKY MOUNTAIN FLY-IN
Ron Wagner reports that EAA has signed a sponsorship agreement with the
Rocky Mountain Regional Fly-In that begins with this year's event near
Denver on Aug. 22-23. This is significant, since it means that EAA has
reached sponsorship agreements with all of the existing events that were
commonly known as "regional fly-ins" in the past, although they were all
independently organized and operated.
CONDOLENCES
We were saddened to learn that longtime EAA photographer Ted Koston
(Costopoulos) passed away on Sunday, just a few days after attending
AirVenture as he done for a half century. Ted was one of the initial
group of volunteers who helped chronicle early EAA fly-ins and continued
to supply photos to EAA throughout the years. Funeral services were
held on Thursday in Chicago. Our sympathies go to Ted's family.
AUGUST EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES
This month we thank and congratulate EAA staff members celebrating
employment anniversaries in August: Ken Dobesh (12 years); Kelly Nelson
(four years); Milt Hassel and Kim Tomkinson (one year).
A LOOK BACK AND THANK YOU
A popular question that our communications staff and I received
regularly prior to AirVenture was a variation of "How will the economy
negatively impact the event?" We now have the answer - not one bit. In
tough times, people make choices and look to find the best value for
their limited resources. A trip to Oshkosh in 2009 remained essential
for our visitors, sponsors and exhibitors. That is a credit to the
long-term reputation the event has established, and the incredible hard
work and teamwork that makes it happen. Most people who visit
AirVenture will never have any idea how hard everyone - staff,
volunteers, board members and everyone else - works to make it a
success. But when we hear comments such as "This is so well organized"
or "Nobody does this like EAA" from hundreds of people, that is a credit
to what each of you does before and during the event. I hope you have a
moment to enjoy this year's success. And to each one of you, on behalf
of all our members and guests - thank you.
COMING EVENTS
Aug. 9: Nondenominational church service, Fergus Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Aug. 10-14: Air Academy "Spread Your Wings" Program.
Aug. 11-15: International Pathfinders Camporee, AirVenture grounds.
Aug. 14-16: SportAir Workshop: TIG Welding, Griffin, Ga.
Aug. 15: SportAir Workshop: Test Flying Your Project, .Frederick, Md.
Aug. 15-16: SportAir Workshop: RV Assembly, .Riverside, Calif.
Aug. 22-23: Rocky Mountain Regional Fly-In, Broomfield, Colo.
Aug. 22-23: SportAir Workshop: RV Assembly, EAA Aviation Center.
Sincerely,
Tom Poberezny
Chairman/President
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