AirBoss Takes Flight at Rome Air Show

Pre-Event Concept Proves Successful for Air Show Producers, Sponsors and Civil Air Patrol

Rome, GA (PRWEB) October 27, 2006 -- The North Georgia Air And Car Show held in Rome GA, Oct 20-22nd, was a huge success for sponsors, producers and the community at large. This inaugural event, which featured an auto show and air show, marked the Georgia debut of the Civil Air Patrol's "AirBoss," a mobile air traffic control and command center that was adapted and used as a recruiting platform for CAP.

For several days prior to the air show, the AirBoss appeared at locations around the Rome community including high schools and retail shopping areas. The goal was to promote CAP and its sponsors, and to promote the air show itself. This "pre-event" concept brings a new dimension to air show promotion and a solution to the challenge of market saturation and maximum exposure for air show producers and sponsors.

The AirBoss was hosted by the Rome Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. Hundreds of people around the Rome, Georgia area toured the "AirBoss" to learn more about how the unit is used – from fighting wild fires to search and rescue missions in Katrina situations. The tours were conducted by cadets and senior members of the Rome Composite Squadron.

One of the features of the "AirBoss" tour was a video that was produced this past summer at the CAP Glider Encampment in Rome. The video featured CAP cadets learning to fly gliders – including the solo flight a 15-year-old cadet. After her flight, she was greeted by the cheers from the other cadets and instructor pilots and then was doused with water, a tradition of the Glider Academy when a cadet does his or her first solo flight. As General George Harrison, chief instructor observed, "I have never seen a boy or girl get out of the cockpit of a glider without a huge smile on their face."

The CAP, the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, is a national volunteer organization that has over 60,000 cadet and senior members. The CAP was founded December 1, 1941 – one week before the attack on Pearl Harbor. In addition to the search and rescue missions for downed aircraft, the CAP is also used as an emergency resource for homeland security. Aerospace education is also a primary mission. Over 20% of the young men and woman entering the service academies have been members of the CAP.

"I am proud to be part of the Civil Air Patrol," says Barry Loudermilk, a Georgia State Representative, "Civil Air Patrol epitomizes what is good about America. As a volunteer organization its members dedicate their time, energy and resources to help others. The Civil Air Patrol members I have the opportunity to work with are patriotic Americans with a dedication to community service who are eager to respond when their services are needed."

"Being a member of CAP is a real resume enhancer," notes Don Schwerzler, co-founder of Air Show Advertising. "The leadership training, discipline and commitment to community service gained in the CAP are basic ingredients to successful careers and learning to lead happy and fulfilling lives."

The "AirBoss" concept was developed by Air Show Advertising (ASA), one of the nation's leaders in developing sponsor branding for air shows, air show performance teams, the Civil Air Patrol and aviation education. ASA is headquartered at Peachtree Dekalb Airport in Atlanta Ga.

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