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Friday, December 18, 2009
CHRISTMAS @ the jetport: SANFORD, N.C. — For some it was a holiday social, for others a prime marketing opportunity. But whatever "CHRISTMAS @ the jetport" was for the roughly 150 guests last week at RALEIGH EXEC, one thing seems crystal clear: It was a rousing success. For the third straight year, airport officials organized the popular client-appreciation reception to showcase the general aviation facility and thank those who have made the growing airport so successful. "Aviation is becoming more important every day, and we're fortunate enough to have one of the top airports in the state and most accessible airports in the region," said Buddy Keller, chairman of the Sanford-Lee County Regional Airport Authority, which operates RALEIGH EXEC. "But we can't continue to succeed if we just sit here and do nothing," he continued. "This is a competitive business and people do have other options. We want even more people to know about the exceptional facility we have here and let our current clients to know how much we appreciate their business." The red carpet was rolled out this year — figuratively, with light rain falling outside the terminal building all evening — as local leaders talked aviation and just about everything else with private pilots, executives of companies based at the jetport and members of the Wings of Carolina Flying Club, which occupies a large hangar at one end of the field. This year's event was sponsored by Capital Bank and The LPA Group, two companies involved in developing the jetport, and catered by The Flame Steakhouse of Sanford. Other local groups received some attention, too. Instrumental music filling the terminal all evening was provided by a string ensemble from the Lee County Community Orchestra, now performing its 22nd full season under new music director Tara Villa Chamra. The orchestra continues its season on March 13-14 with "A Day in France," featuring two free performances at the Lee County Arts and Community Center. About halfway through the evening, attention turned to the Temple Teens, vocal ambassadors from the Temple Theatre, who performed some classic and not-so-classic Christmas numbers, drawing plenty of applause and quite a bit of laughter during one comic number. The Temple's producing artistic director Peggy Taphorn invited everyone to "A Christmas Carol," performing on the Temple stage through Dec. 20, and to an impressive list of other theater, music and comedy events on the upcoming schedule. While dollars and cents may not have been the prime topic of discussion all evening, Keller says events like "CHRISTMAS @ the jetport" and "FAMILY DAY @ the jetport," which was held earlier this fall, help build the jetport's reputation and clientele. Already, the facility is home to roughly 120 aircraft — from luxury corporate jets to small, single-engine planes — and generates an economic impact of about $280 million per year. With expansion plans on the drawing board, Keller says, those numbers should continue to rise. That trend, he believes, would be good for the entire community — and could provide even more reason to celebrate in years to come. Sanford Skies is an update on events and activities at the RALEIGH EXEC: The Raleigh Executive Jetport @ Sanford-Lee County and is provided as a public service to friends of the jetport and Lee County Economic Development. For more information about the jetport and its services for corporate and recreational aviation in the famed Research Triangle Region, please visit raleighexec.com. |
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