Taking Flight
May 16, 2015
AEEP, Aviation Education and Enhancement Program under Community Foundation of East Alabama - A 501(c)(3) Organization
About the Auburn-Opelika Air Show (AUO) Since 2013, the Auburn-Opelika Air Show has been established as the premier aviation event in East Alabama. Past aviation events have drawn approximately 7-10,000 attendees to the Auburn University Regional Airport. The Auburn-Opelika Air Show (AUO) brings thrilling, world-class aviation entertainment and education to the Auburn-Opelika area, making it a prime marketing opportunity for local and national businesses. The Auburn-Opelika Airshow (AUO) takes flight May 16, 2015 for a family-filled day of in-air entertainment and on-ground interaction that will wow your senses. Attractions include war bird demonstrations, active military aircraft and vehicles, helicopter rides, static displays, and great food. The Auburn-Opelika Airshow (AUO) is hosted by the Auburn University Regional Airport and the Aviation Education and Enhancement Program (AEEP), a fund within The Community Foundation of East Alabama, Inc.
Bridging Generations This year’s event celebrates “Bridging Generations” by honoring the past and educating the future. The Aviation Education and Enhancement Program, a fund under The Community Foundation of East Alabama evolved from the inaugural Air Show in 2013. The Community Foundation of East Alabama is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization.
As a local center for philanthropy, the Community Foundation works with individuals, families, corporations, private foundations and non-profit organizations to help them carry out their charitable objectives and address emerging community issues. Their five county region includes Lee County, and parts of Chambers, Macon, Russell and Tallapoosa.
AEEP, Aviation Education and Enhancement Program’s Initial Impact: October 2013: Hosted the Wings of Freedom Tour, a flying museum of WWII planes including a P-51 Mustang, B-24 and B-17 bomber. The group flew over a dozen local WWII veterans for free. Many of the WWII veterans flew these birds during their WWII missions. Over 500 local residents including several local high school and elementary classes took the tour. October 2013: Facilitated a group of foster children from the Department of Human Resources (DHR) to visit the Auburn University Regional Airport. April 2014: Funded an Auburn High School project: Auburn Veterans Project. Auburn High School students in AP US History under the direction of Dr. Busbin began the process of reaching out to veterans in the area (Auburn, Opelika, Lee County) in an effort to help them have their contribution to our nation's
history documented and recorded for submission to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project. The project received widespread support including the assistance of the Auburn Veterans Committee, the Auburn High School JROTC Program, and the Opelika-Auburn News, which ran an impressive article about the project. In the initial year of the project, 48 local veterans participated in the interview sessions. The project was greatly aided by the assistance of AEEP under the Community Foundation, which graciously provided the funds to purchase eight digital audio recorders for the purpose of capturing the interviews for keeping. August 2014: National Aviation Day . AEEP worked with area K-12 classrooms to provide oral histories collected through the Auburn Veterans Project, provide aviation speakers and classroom projects. Several elementary art teachers hosted “Make a Paper Airplane” with materials and resources donated by AEEP. Over 1,200 students were involved in National Aviation Day.
AEEP’s Future Projects: Fall 2014: Flying ACES Class of 2015 and Military Appreciation Day at Auburn University Football Game Winter 2014: Fantasy Flight partnered with Auburn University Softball May 2015: Auburn Opelika Air Show AEEP Funding: The Auburn Opelika Air Show is the primary fundraiser to generate funds for future AEEP projects. Other sources of funding include private donations and grants.
Air Show Facts: Broad Demographics Source: 2013 Air Show Gender: Male 56% Families: Age:
Female 44%
47%
Under 26
23%
27-32
37%
33-42
19%
42 +
21%
Driving Distance:
11% drove more than 60 miles to attend the Air Show
Primary Reason for Attending Air Show: Love of planes, fun family outing, kids enjoy the action, thrill of flight.
Auburn-Opelika Air Show is proud to have the following key partners: Community Foundation of East Alabama, Auburn University Regional Airport, Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau, City of Auburn, City of Opelika, City of Smiths Station, Lee County Commission, Lee County Sheriff’s Department. Auburn Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Auburn Merchants Association, Opelika Chamber of Commerce, Opelika Main Street.
Auburn-Opelika Air Show provides funds that support the mission of AEEP AEEP has supported the following groups: Department of Human Resources, Big House, Auburn City Schools, Opelika City Schools, Home School groups, Lee County Schools, Veteran’s programs and other area organizations.
How to Get Involved: Sponsorship Opportunities We offer different sponsorship levels designed to fit any marketing or community project budget. Whether your company goals focus on marketing, community visibility, customer entertainment, or company morale, the Auburn-Opelika Air Show (AUO) can help you reach them. More importantly, your sponsorship will support the needs of our youth through experience and project based learning in the areas such as history, math, science, and technology.
Individual Sponsorships and Flying ACES We have many Friends of AEEP, Aviation Education and Enhancement Program. As a friend of AEEP, you may choose to support one of the many war birds we will be bringing in for the Air Show. The war birds are flying history. Part of the mission of the Air Show is to bridge generations. There is no better way to support this mission than to support the appearance of the war birds.
War Birds Presented by Friends of AEEP Program: Level I: $2500 - may include Yaks, T-28, other vintage aircraft Your name will be displayed in front of the war bird during the air show as “Presented by:” Two tickets to the Air Show Flight Line Seating access for two VIP Access to the plane and pilot for two Commemorative Air Show T-shirt for two Once we have commitment from the war birds, you will have the opportunity to choose which war bird you would like to support. This will be done on a first come basis.
Level II: $5000—may include P-47, P-51, Corsair and other vintage aircraft Your name will be displayed in front of the war bird during the air show as “Presented by:” Four tickets to the Air Show Flight Line Seating access for four VIP Access to the plane and pilot for four Commemorative Air Show T-shirt for four Once we have commitment from the war birds, you will have the opportunity to choose which war bird you would like to support. This will be done on a first come basis.
Flying ACES of 2015 We have identified a set of potential Flying ACES from our community. The ACES program will raise funds to support AEEP, Aviation Education and Enhancement Program. The mission of AEEP is to provide educational and developmental programs in support of expanding aviation experiences and programs in our community. Aviation connects us all. The ACES have been selected from a core group of outstanding community leaders in our area. Each ACE will strive to complete a minimum of five aerial victories. An aerial victory is reached when they raise $1000. You become an ACE when you reach $5000. The ACE that completes the most aerial victories will be named Top Gun at our ACES Victory party on May 15, 2015. Please help support our inaugural class of Flying ACES who will be vying for honors of Top Gun from November 2014— May 2015. They will be hosting mini-events throughout the year leading up to the air show.
Sponsorships at a Glance Level
Presenting
Platinum
Gold
Silver
Bronze
General
$50,000
$25,000
$10,000
$5000
$2500
$1000
Exclusivity
Exclusivity in your business category
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Marketing Materials
Premium location of logo on print, digital and web with link
Logo on print, digital and web with link
Company name on Company name on Listed on web with Listed on web print, digital and print, digital and link with link web with link web with link
Radio Ads
Company featured N/A on radio ads
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Pilots Practice Tickets
10
8
6
4
2
N/A
VIP Pilot’s Reception Tickets
10
8
6
4
2
N/A
General Admission
50
24
10
6
4
2
Reserved Flight Line Seating 25
12
8
N/A
N/A
N/A
8
6
2
1
N/A
N/A
Banners Placed at Air Show 4 plus name listed on Sponsor Banners
4
2
2
1
Name listed on Sponsor banner at Air Show
PA Announcements during Air Show
8
6
4
3
2
1
Booth
Option for a 20x20 footprint at Air Show for business booth
Option for a 10x10 footprint at Air Show for business booth
Option for a 10x10 N/A footprint at Air Show for business booth
N/A
N/A
(no additional fee)
(additional fee for tent)
(additional fee for tent)
Viewing Deck Access
Included
Included
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Golf Cart for company use during show
2
1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Value of Package
$75,000
$40,000
$18,000
$7500
$3200
$1200
Category
Access Wristbands VIP Parking at Airport
Additional individual sponsorships are available. All sponsorships are cash sponsorships. Payment due– half at time of commitment and final portion March 15, 2015. Checks or Credit Card accepted. Sponsorships made payable to: Community Foundation of East Alabama, AEEP fund a 501(c)(3). Mail checks to P.O. Box 2708 Auburn, AL 36831. Information contact: Air Show Event Chairman, Johnny Lawrence at jmlawrence@mindspring.com.
Sponsor/Friends of AEEP Donor Application
YES, I/My Company would like to support the Auburn-Opelika Air Show at the following level: Your donation is tax deductible allowable under the IRS guidelines. Tax ID: 20-8660184
Presenting
$50,000
Bronze
$2500
Platinum
$25,000
General
$1000
Gold
$10,000
War Bird Level I
$2500
Silver
$5000
War Bird Level II
$5000
Contact Information Name/Company Information : ____________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address:_______________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: ________________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________________ Email: ___________________________________
Please make checks payable to: Community Foundation of East Alabama, LLC memo: AEEP/Air Show Return Form with payment via Mail to: AEEP c/o John McNutt 120 S.Ross St. Auburn, AL 36830
Contact: Advertising and Sponsorships Director, John McNutt Phone: 334-501-4807 Email: ads@leadershipbycreativity.com www.auburnopelikaairshow.com