AIR LAUDERDALE [PODCAST] - Mayor Jack Sieler and CEO Stan Smith Discuss the Festival and Air Show Cancellation with WFTL850's Russ Morley

[PLAY PODCAST NOW!] Listen to Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Sieler and Air Lauderdale's CEO, Stan Smith as they discuss with WFTL850's Russ Morley, the cancellation of the 2010 Festival and Air Show. 

AIR LAUDERDALE [PODCAST] - CEO Stan Smith Discusses Need for Angel Investor with WFTL850's Russ Morley

[PLAY PODCAST NOW!] Listen to Air Lauderdale's CEO, Stan Smith as he discusses with WFTL850's Russ Morley, the need for an "Angel Investor" to save the 2010 Festival and Air Show. Click on the headline, or [PLAY PODCAST NOW!].

  

Air Lauderdale Beach Fest 2010 Canceled

Much to our sincere regret, we must announce today that the Air Lauderdale Beach Fest 2010, scheduled for April 24 and 25, has been canceled. Several factors have made the production of a quality event financially untenable at this time including the estimated cost of Fort Lauderdale City Services ($500,000 to  $600,000), the required $1 million bond and the overall soft economy.  The unavailability of the Air Force Thunderbirds or the Navy Blue Angels also negatively impacted the already weak sponsorship market.

We wish to thank the U.S. Military, Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission and staff for their hard work, support and encouragement. We’re also grateful to our loyal sponsors and the many enthusiastic supporters, volunteers and Facebook fans who did step forward to help bring the community together to Thank the Troops.

We also wish to extend our appreciation for the guidance and support of Broward Mayor Ken Keechl and Nicki Grossman of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. We will continue with our efforts to support Fleet Week’s 20th anniversary by holding a kick off event at the beach in late April. Our plans for 2011 are forthcoming.

For those patrons who purchased tickets online, your money will be refunded shortly.

Air show on verge of cancellation, needs "angel investor''

>Posted by Brittany Wallman on March 8, 2010 10:42 AM

The Fort Lauderdale air show that was planned for April 24-25, the promised resurrection of one of South Florida's most popular events, is on the verge of cancellation.

Air show would-be producer Stan Smith said Monday he's run out of time and doesn't have enough money. Only if an "angel'' sponsor materialized Monday or Tuesday could he put it on.

"It's very sad to run out of time,'' Smith said. "Everyone wanted it to happen. It's just that at the end of the day, no one knows how to pay for it.''

Smith said one of the hardships he faced was securing a $1 million bond the city of Fort Lauderdale required. The bond would pay the city its estimated $500,000 to $600,000 in costs, plus pay for any property damage, if Smith couldn't pay. But Smith couldn't get the bond; he'd need someone to co-sign for his new operation.

Smith was trying to bring back the air show made popular by Mickey Markoff. The show ended after a 13-year run in Fort Lauderdale when Markoff lost his key sponsor. Smith's show, Air Lauderdale Beach Fest, would have been smaller and different than Markoff's show.

Smith planned to charge an entry fee at the best viewing locations. And he didn't have the most popular air act, the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds fighter jets that shocked and awed the crowds.
He had enlarged the area where the festival would occur, and planned a Green Village, a Politics Village, a Thank the Troops Zone, live music, et cetera.

I can tell you, because I receive the phone calls here at my desk on a regular basis, quite a few out-of-towners book their vacations around this event.

Smith said he needs to cancel the show now out of fairness to anyone who might spend time or money on the show, only to have it not go off.

"It's heartbreaking,'' he said. "So many people have worked hard.''

Smith had no experience putting on a show of this magnitude. A public relations consultant, he previously worked for H. Wayne Huizenga.

This story is his "final plea to the community.'' He said he needs "less than a million dollars'' but wouldn't say how much, from a title sponsor or a collection of sponsors, to save the show.

AIR LAUDERDALE - Festival and Air Show Event Times

Many of our fans and supporters have been asking about the Festival Event and Air Show schedules.  We look forward to an amazing first year event that includes plenty of activities and events for those who are attending the Festival, as well as a first class Air Show!  The Festival will be open from 8:30am until 7:00pm with music throughout the day and events in the Thank the Troops Zone, the Kids Zone, the Extreme Sports Zone, and the Green Break Village.  Here's the current schedule for both Saturday and Sunday.  Additional information and details will follow in the coming days.

Air Lauderdale Beach Fest Schedule
  8:30am               Festival Opens
11:00am               Music Begins
12:00pm               Air Show Begins
  3:15pm               Air Show Ends
  3:30pm               Music Continues on 2 Stages (Americana & Rock/Urban)
  6:00pm               Music Headline Act
  7:00pm               Event Closes

For up to date information, please sign up to be part of THE AIR TEAM on our Homepage!

  

AIR LAUDERDALE - New Website Updates

Air Lauderdale has updated there website to include all of there latest Sponsors and Partners to the event.  Stop by and see all of the latest news and updates on the Home page with a realtime feed so you can stay up to date with all that is happening as we get closer to the event.  You can now join "The Air Team" by subscribing to email updates based on your interests.  Just click on the image you see in this article to start the process.  If you have not been to the website lately, stop by and see what's new at AirLauderdale.com.

  

AIR LAUDERDALE - 2010 Air Show First Look [Announcement]

2010 Air Show First Look

___________________________________________________________________________________

This is just the beginning of the acts to take part in the 2010 Air Lauderdale Beach Fest Air Show.

They are not listed in order of appearance:

1. US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team - Multiple Acts/Demos
2. Fred Cabanas Aerobatic Act - Precision Tumbling, Spins and Turns
3. Red Bull BO-105 CBS Helicopter - Upside-down Helicopter
4. Coast Guard Air & Sea Rescue Demo - Water to Air Rescue
5. US Navy (USN) F-5 - The Navy "Aggressor"
6. US Air Force (USAF) F-15's - Fast, Maneuverable, Tactical Fighter
7. US Air Force (USAF) F-16 - Compact, Multi-role, Highly Maneuverable Fighter
8. US Air Force (USAF) A-10 - Close Air Support, Anti-armor Fighter
9. US Air Force Reserve (USAFR) 920th's Para Rescue - Combat Search and Rescue

Disclaimer: Military Aircraft scheduled subject to operational availability. All civilian acts subject to change based on operational duties.

___________________________________________________________________________________

AIR LAUDERDALE BEACH FEST - On FOX Business Network [Video Link]

Fort Lauderdale Air and Sea Show Returns

Air Lauderdale CEO Stan Smith on bringing back the Fort Lauderdale Air and Sea Show after a two year hiatus.

Having trouble watching here? Click the link below to watch the segment on FOX Business Network!

Click to watch NOW!

AIR LAUDERDALE BEACH FEST - MEDIA ADVISORY

Air Lauderdale CEO Stan Smith will appear on Fox Business Network with Dagen McDowell and Brian Sullivan on Monday, February 1, between 11:00 -11:30am.

The show can be seen in South Florida on these Channels:

Comcast Channel 106

Dish Network Satellite Channel 206

DIRECTV Satellite Channel 359

Sky Angel Channel 319

To find out where the Fox Business Network is on in your area click the following link: Fox Business Network Channel Finder

Smith will be discussing details of the Air Lauderdale Beach Fest taking place April 24 & 25 on Fort Lauderdale Beach.

FOX Business Network is a 24-hour cable financial news channel delivering real-time information across all platforms impacting both Main Street and Wall Street. Headquartered in New York City, FBN is available in major markets across the United States with bureaus in Chicago, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley and Washington DC.

AIR LAUDERDALE ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH COMCAST SPOTLIGHT - General Admission Tickets For Sale On-Line

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL December 14, 2009 -- Air Lauderdale Beach Fest, taking place next April 24 and 25, announced today that Comcast Spotlight has joined the event as a media partner. The company also announced that a general admission 50% off advanced ticket special is now available on-line at www.AirLauderdale.com.

Air Lauderdale CEO Stan Smith said, “Comcast Spotlight is the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable. They are a major player in Broward County and Florida, as a whole, and we’re very pleased and proud to have them on board.”

“Comcast Spotlight helps put the power of cable to use for local, regional and national advertisers, providing multi-platform marketing solutions to reach audiences most effectively and efficiently,” says Air Lauderdale President, Dr. Arnold Tillman. He adds, “They have significant experience, ideas and resources to make the Air Lauderdale event a top-of-the-line entertainment experience.”

Comcast Spotlight Area Vice President/General Manager for South Florida, Ian Dennett, says, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to sponsor the Air Lauderdale Beach Fest as a media partner. We’re proud to support the effort to bring the air show tradition back to Fort Lauderdale Beach, and to salute the U.S. Military.”

“The beauty of Comcast Spotlight is their unique ability to diversify the Beach Fest and make it a much more exciting experience for the young at heart by bringing in some very popular children’s characters which will help round out the other Air Lauderdale entertainment venues ‘Kids Zone’ as well as the ‘Xtreme Zone’ entertainment areas,” Smith adds.

"Complete Ticket Solutions, Inc. is very honored and excited to be working with Air Lauderdale in bringing this great event back to South Florida. We believe that our services will provide spectators a simple process to purchase and receive their tickets. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Air Lauderdale", said Ivan A. Marin, Executive Vice President of Complete Ticket Solutions (www.completeticketsolutions.com).

The air show returns to Fort Lauderdale Beach with renewed energy and an expanded format with the addition of a Beach Festival featuring such attractions as Thank the Troops Zone, Green-Break Village, Political Zone, Display Village, Music Stage and Food Zones as well as games and chances to win valuable prizes.

Smith said many more details on the 2010 Air Lauderdale Beach Fest and Broward Navy Days’ Fleet Week will be announced as the event approaches. Both organizations are seeking sponsors and volunteers to assist with the production for the 10 days of events.

For more information, contact Stan Smith at 954-762-7000 or via the web:

http://www.AirLauderdale.com and http://www.BrowardNavyDaysInc.org

Additional Media

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/airlauderdale

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/airlauderdale

News Blog: http://www.airlauderdale.blogspot.com

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/airlauderdale

AIR LAUDERDALE BEACH FEST ANNOUNCES GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL --December 10, 2009 -- Air Lauderdale Beach Fest, taking place next April 24 and 25, announced today the release of General Admission ticket sales on-line at www.AirLauderdale.com.

Air Lauderdale CEO Stan Smith said, “We’re excited to announce family friendly pricing of 50% off general admission tickets for $5 on the Beach Fest admission. We are also entering into agreements with key retail partners throughout South Florida.”

"Complete Ticket Solutions, Inc. is very honored and excited to be working with Air Lauderdale in bringing this great event back to South Florida. We believe that our services will provide spectators a simple process to purchase and receive their tickets. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with Air Lauderdale", said Ivan A. Marin, Executive Vice President of Complete Ticket Solutions (www.completeticketsolutions.com ).

“Complete Ticket Solutions offers us the speed and convenience of e-commerce as well as an excellent track record of ticket management for large scale events,” said Dr. Arnold Tillman, President of Air Lauderdale. Tillman, who also serves as the Chairman of the board of Broward Bank of Commerce (http://www.browardbankofcommerce.com) continued saying, “we are committed to highlighting sustainable practices at the Beach Fest and this on-line ticket offering has the potential to help reduce the carbon footprint associated with this world-class event.”

The air show returns to Fort Lauderdale Beach with renewed energy and an expanded format with the addition of a Beach Festival featuring such attractions as Thank the Troops Zone, Green-Break Village, Display Village, Music Stage and Food Zones as well as games and chances to win valuable prizes.


Smith said many more details on the 2010 Air Lauderdale Beach Fest and Fleet Week Port Everglades will be announced as the event approaches. Both organizations are seeking sponsors and volunteers to assist with the production of the 10 days of events.

For more information, call Stan Smith at 954-762-7000 or via the web:
http://www.AirLauderdale.com and http://www.BrowardNavyDaysInc.org

Additional Media:
Facebook: facebook.com/airlauderdale
Twitter: twitter.com/airlauderdale
News Blog: airlauderdale.blogspot.com
YouTube: youtube.com/airlauderdale

AIR LAUDERDALE BEACH FEST NAMES DR. ARNOLD TILLMAN PRESIDENT

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL November 5, 2009 -- Air Lauderdale Beach Fest, taking place next April 24 and 25, announced today Dr. Arnold Tillman has joined the company as President.

Tillman is a retired medical doctor as well as an FAA Senior Aviation Medical Examiner and has been an avid aviator for over 30 years, holding FAA certification as an Airline Transport Pilot and Flight Instructor. He is also the Founding Chairman of Broward Bank of Commerce (www.BrowardBankofCommerce.com), Fort Lauderdale’s newest bank, serving as Chairman of the Board for its holding company Broward Financial Holdings,Inc.

“Dr. Tillman’s strong experience and relationships in aviation and banking are ideal for our company,” said Air Lauderdale CEO Stan Smith, “His unique combination of skills will help ensure a safe, successful world class air show and beach festival for our community.”

“Having attended the predecessor event since 2001 and having been an air show performer in my youth, I have always thought of the show as the premiere event of its kind given the beach and boating spectators,” said Tillman. “After becoming increasingly involved in the Fort Lauderdale community over the past decade, I’m looking forward to working with the Air Lauderdale team and other stakeholders as we develop a more comprehensive event as well as a charitable component,” Dr. Tillman added.

The air show returns to Fort Lauderdale Beach with new energy and an expanded format with the addition of a Beach Festival featuring such attractions as Thank the Troops Zone, Green Break Village, Kids Zone, Music Stage, Extreme Sports and Food Zone as well as a chances to win valuable prizes.

Smith said many more details on the 2010 Air Lauderdale Beach Fest and Fleet Week Port Everglades will be announced as the events approach. Both organizations are seeking sponsors and volunteers to assist with producing the 10 days of events.

For more information, call Stan Smith at 954-762-7000 or via the web:

http://www.AirLauderdale.com and http://www.BrowardNavyDaysInc.org

Additional Media:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/airlauderdale

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/airlauderdale

News Blog: http://www.airlauderdale.blogspot.com

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/airlauderdale

Air Lauderdale Talks with Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler on CountyLine TV

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler and Stan Smith of Air Lauderdale appear on WBEC-TV 63.1 (BECON-TV http://www.becon.tv). The CountyLine TV Program is scheduled to rebroadcast on Sunday September 13, 2009 at 5:30 PM. If you're not able to watch then... don't worry, WBEC-TV will be rebroadcasting the entire show on the following dates and times:

09/14/09, 3:30 am WBEC-TV 63.1 (BECON-TV)

09/14/09, 10:29 pm WBEC-TV 63.1 (BECON-TV)

EAST Magazine's July Edition Cover Story

2010 Air Lauderdale Beach Fest and Fleet Week Events Both Set for Week of April 23 through May 3

Two Popular Events to Honor U.S. Military and Bring Community Together

Broward Navy Days-Fleet Week to Celebrate 20th Anniversary

Editor's Note: A special Air Lauderdale and Fleet Week celebration will be held Tuesday, July 7, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the World Famous Parrot Lounge featuring a free buffet and happy hour drinks. The Parrot is at 911 Sunrise Lane, Fort Lauderdale, with free parking to immediate north at the Sunrise Beach Inn (old Holiday Inn.)

Fort Lauderdale, FL – July 7, 2009 – City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler today announced the official dates for the 2010 Air Lauderdale Beach Fest, which in combination with next year’s Fleet Week will kick off 10 days of fun activities in honor of the U.S. military.

"We will welcome the air show tradition back to Fort Lauderdale with two days of aerial displays on April 24 and April 25," said Seiler. The air show is scheduled to coincide with the popular Fleet Week 2010 Port Everglades presented by Humana Military Healthcare Services, which will run the same week, April 23 through May 3.

"These are two great family events that will help bring our community together and give us an opportunity to honor to thank our military, and also benefit our local economy," Seiler said.

The air show returns to Fort Lauderdale Beach with new energy and an expanded format with the addition of a Beach Festival featuring such attractions as "Thank the Troops" Citizen Stations, a "Green-Break" Village, a Kids Zone, an Extreme Zone, Music Stage, "Air Games" for beach & water, a Food Zone and a chance to win valuable prizes.

"We’re focused on bringing together the community to re-unite these extraordinary events and provide new and increased opportunities for fan participation," said Stan Smith Managing Partner of Air Lauderdale.

Broward Navy Days spokesman Joe Millsaps said the two events ideally complement each other and that holding them the same week provides a rare opportunity to both spotlight the City of Fort Lauderdale and South Florida and to show appreciation for the service of our military men and women. "This will be a wonderful celebration that is sure to make the 20th anniversary of Fleet Week a huge success, and one that will bolster our community's respect and popularity with our military personnel."

Smith and Millsaps said many more details on the 2010 Air Lauderdale Beach Fest and Fleet Week will be announced as the events approach. Both organizations are seeking volunteers to assist with producing the 10 days of events.

For more information, call Stan Smith at 954-762-7000; or Kevin Boyd, 954-288-9509. Web sites: www.AirLauderdale.com and www.BrowardNavyDaysInc.org.

Additional Media:

FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/AirLauderdale

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AirLauderdale

News Blog: http://airlauderdale.blogspot.com/

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AirLauderdale