From the initial anticipation that ignited on day one, there's one thing that all 1,100 NBAA 2014 enthusiastic exhibitors can agree on – the annual aviation show was an absolute success.
Phillips 66® Aviations' booth, #4200, buzzed with excitement from the moment the doors opened, allowing more than 26,000 diverse attendees to explore exhibitor booths, strike up conversations about all things aviation, and collect prized giveaways of all shapes and sizes.
The convention center, a space that ranks as the second largest in the U.S. with approximately 7,000,000 square feet of floor space, provided ample room for well-attended education seminars, as well as 100+ aircraft displays.
A steady stream of attendees flowed into the Phillips 66 booth, making the rounds to converse with the 14 Phillips 66 Aviation-branded FBOs who were available to discuss their operations, experience and offerings. Guests who visited the FBO kiosks and collected custom business cards, were able to spin Big Bertha, a giant-sized slot machine where every spin was a win. Prizes included Phillips 66 long-sleeve t-shirts, portable chargers for cell phones and a variety of gift cards to popular coffee shops and retail stores.
Dick Koenig, Executive Director of the Corporate Angel Network (CAN) accepted a check on behalf of CAN at a presentation hosted in the Phillips 66 booth on Tuesday afternoon. There, Greg Hart, Manager – General Aviation for Phillips 66, presented Koenig with a $21,000 check. This donation will benefit this worthy charity whose mission is to provide cancer patients with free transportation on corporate flights to critical medical treatment facilities.
A VIP customer celebration was held Tuesday night at Tu Tu Tango, a local restaurant that integrates food, art and fun. Invitees strutted down a red carpet and posed for polite paparazzi who snapped their pictures before stepping through the restaurant's doors. Guests were greeted with Jet Setter, Phillips 66's custom cocktail.
The renowned Limelight, a Dallas-based band, performed what attendees called their best performance yet! And it didn't take long for party goers to move from their bar stools to the middle of the dance floor. This is the third year in a row that Limelight has entertained Phillips 66's guests, and it was another outstanding performance.
A big thanks goes out to the 14 Phillips 66 Aviation-branded FBOs that welcomed each and every visitor with a big smile and warm hello. They include: Air Service Hawaii, Business Jet Center, Cutter Aviation, DuPage Flight Center, Fontainebleau Aviation, Harbour Air Services TVC, JA Air Center, National Jets, Regional Jet Center, Starport, Texas Jet, Thunderbird Aviation, Tri-City Aviation and Tulsair Beechcraft.
It's never too early to start planning for next year's NBAA convention scheduled for Nov. 17 through 19, 2015. So book your tickets or get your personal aircraft in tip-top shape to make the trip to the City of Lights, Las Vegas.