Category Archives: florida

2017 SUN ‘n FUN Numbers

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2017 SUN ‘n FUN Numbers
The 43rd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo presented by VISIT FLORIDA and the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association took place April 4 –9, 2017 in Lakeland, Florida. SnF17 was the best fly-in SUN ‘n FUN has ever had. We are pleased to release the following data and fun facts:
•                    Approximately 200,000 guests attended from over 60 countries
•                    Brazil, Canada and United Kingdom once again had the highest amount of visitors
•                    SUN ‘n FUN ordered over 400 Portalets, 18 light towers, 415 golf carts, and 120 tents
•                    More than 4,000 rolls of toilet paper were used during the week
•                    SUN ‘n FUN distributed 90,000 bottles of water and approximately 19,000 sandwiches to volunteers
•                    More than 3,000 volunteers helped during the 6-day event
•                    HAM Radio worked 39 States, 12 Countries, Canada, Italy, Norway, Estonia are some of them and had a total of 742 worldwide contacts for the 6 days.
•                    38 Student tours were conducted with 969 students
•                    Approximately 400 people attended educational workshops
•                    500 Students attended the Blue Angels Symposium
•                    10,000 Visitors toured the Piedmont Aerospace Experience, the only working Boeing 727 Classroom on a high school campus
•                    7 speakers in the Museum that travelled Mach 3  (3 times the speed of sound) in the iconic SR-71 Blackbird
•                    130 Career Minded individuals from 48 states and 3 countries attended our 4th Annual Career Fair with 14 exhibitors
•                    One astronaut, Senator Bill Nelson, spoke to educators during the Aerospace Educators Workshop
•                    First ever UAV Demonstration during an Air Show
•                    500 People participated in the inaugural Drone Zone
•                    443 media representatives attended from 16 countries
•                    5,988 people attended 331 forums
•                    3,228 People attended 56 workshops
•                    over 9,000 aircraft movements took place
•                    510 Exhibitors participated in the event
SUN ‘n FUN Radio stats:
·         Total connections: 21,882 (up 0.5% over 2016)
Total unique listeners: 8,431 (up 0.35% over 2016)
·         More than 44 hours were live broadcasted over the 6 days
·         Approximately 120 Live interviews and 120 field interviews were conducted
Social Media stats:
•                    Total Reach (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) = over 2.5 million
•                    Total Impressions = almost 10 million
•                    Engagement Rate = over 500,000 on Facebook
•                    Surpassed 80,000 Facebook followers
•                    Fielded more than 500 direct messages for customer service – and responded to 99% of them in fewer than 20 minutes
Florida Aviation Network stats:
·         82 Volunteers were on the crew and worked throughout the week of SUN ‘n FUN 2017 .
·         Broadcasted 45 interviews from our set at the Florida Aviation Museum and shot numerous reports from the field.
Jackie Jenkins
Communications Coordinator

SUN ‘n FUN Welcomes Full Honda Product Lineup, Including HondaJet

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SUN ‘n FUN Welcomes Full Honda Product Lineup, Including HondaJet
Lakeland, FL – The annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo is famous for being “Spring Break for Pilots”, bringing thousands of aviation enthusiasts from all over the world to Lakeland Linder Airport in Lakeland, Florida for 43 years. This year, Honda is teaming up with SUN ‘n FUN and Banyan Air Service to bring a unique and spectacular display. Known for its innovative and premium quality products across multiple industries, the Honda brand will be well represented in several exhibits and activities including, for the first time at SUN ‘n FUN, the fully certified HondaJet.
Honda Power Equipment has been a major sponsor and supporter of SUN ‘n FUN for many years, hosting a regular exhibit, supplying generators, remote lighting, landscaping power tools, and other critical equipment to help the SUN ‘n FUN organizers prepare for and service their massive event. For 2017, they will add an exciting display of Honda Power Sports and Honda Marine products to their area in the main Exhibit complex, and, in partnership with Banyan Air Service, they will host an airside display.
Banyan Air is excited to provide the first SUN ‘n FUN appearance of the HondaJet. The beautiful, recently certified HondaJet, world-renowned for its “Ultimate Balance of Innovation and Inspiration” will be joined by the Honda Generators-sponsored Race 90 T-6, a perennial top finisher at the storied “Fastest Motorsport on Earth” held at Stead Field, Nevada each year, along with Honda Marine, Honda Power Sports and Honda Auto exhibit on the Runway 5/23 display area showcasing the amazing depth of Honda products.
“We are truly excited to bring the wide array of Honda’s product lineup to SUN ‘n FUN 2017,” said Tom Pernice, Sr. Marketing Specialist for Honda Power Equipment. “Honda Power Equipment has been involved with SUN n FUN for years, but now show goers can see and appreciate the many items Honda manufactures, all in one place at an amazing venue. It is going to be really fun.”
Mike O’Keeffe, Senior Vice President of Banyan Air Service of Ft. Lauderdale, oversees the sales of the HondaJet as the regional dealer for the sleek new business aircraft. “SUN ‘n FUN is a great event, and we are very pleased to be a part of it this year to introduce the HondaJet to show attendees,” he said in a recent statement.
“Seeing it fly up close will really give people an excellent perspective of the cutting edge technology, refined and impressive performance. The SUN ‘n FUN airshow environment really lets the HondaJet show off.”
And fly it will, according to Greg Gibson, SUN ‘n FUN Director of Operations and Business Development. “SUN ‘n FUN is the perfect venue for the HondaJet to be presented. We have an educated and demanding crowd that expects to see the cutting-edge technology of today as well as the finest of aviation’s history, so we really have a treat for them this year. Honda is a great sponsor and supporter, and we are thrilled to have the HondaJet in the air and on display”
Gibson confirmed that not only will the HondaJet fly in the daily flyby showcase prior to the aerobatic airshow, but that it will be joined by the Race 90 T6 in a unique formation appearance of Honda branded aircraft.
On the ground product side, Honda will introduce Miimo, their new robotic lawn mower, which will be in operation at the Honda display near the Sunset Grille. The exhibit will display products from Honda Power Equipment, Honda Marine, and Honda Power Sports., In addition, attendees have the opportunity to register to win some great Honda prizes, including a Honda EU2000i Generator, a ride with the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, a Big Green Egg Prize Package, or a Richard Petty NASCAR Driving Experience.
Patrons can also look for Honda Charging Stations around the grounds. “Honda Power is there when and where you need it,” said Pernice, “so if you need to charge your mobile phone, camera or any other hand held electronic device, feel free to plug in for all the power you need to enjoy capturing and sharing the excitement at this year’s SUN ‘n FUN.”

The SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo is prepared for an action-packed show, which will include performances by the US Navy Blue Angels and the largest gathering of P-51 Mustangs in close to a decade. Air show and workshop schedules, camping reservations, registration for activities, and ticketing information can be found on the SUN ‘n FUN website at flysnf.org. As always, safety will be a top priority.

2017 Seabird Splash-In and Sun N Fun.

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SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In, Inc.
Jackie Jenkins
Communications Coordinator
Office 863-904-4002
jjenkins@flysnf.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2017 Seabird Splash-In

(February 2, 2017 Lakeland, FL) Mark your calendars for the 2017 Seabird Splash-In set for April 1st and 2nd, 2017 at Tavares Seaplane Base in Tavares, FL, airport identifier: FA1.
The weekend will include contests on the water and transit to the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus for the 43rd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly- In & Expo on Monday, April 3rd. 100 LL Fuel will be available on the base and facilities will include mooring, docking and ramp access.

While SUN ‘n FUN continues to look for a suitable location for a Splash-In near Lakeland, Seabird Co-Chairmen Geoff Nye and Bob Highley met with the management of Tavares Seaplane Base and determined that a Splash-In at Tavares was not only feasible, but a great location for Seabirds on their way to SUN ‘n FUN this spring. Tavares, known as Americas First Seaplane City has all the facilities for seaplane activities, as well as walk-to hotels and restaurants. Tavares is experienced in conducting seaplane splash-in events and is excited to host the participation of SUN ‘n FUN Seabirds.

More information will be available on SUN ‘n FUN’s website, flysnf.org as it becomes available.
For more information on the Splash-in, please contact Geoff Nye, Seabirds Co-Chair at 215-913-4768 or email him at g.nye@att.net

SUN ‘n FUN is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, located on the grounds of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL. Proceeds from all year-round events are returned to aviation-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, activities and facilities, and used to support on-going scholarship funding.