Airshow Sponsorship Idea

[crusader1]

The following was posted on The 1941 HAGM Website Message Board, and I thought I would bring it over here to find out how you Folks feel about it.
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Poll - Airshow Sponsorship Idea

Posted by Austin Hancock on 2/13/2009, 5:12 pm
66.66.106.105

Hi again guys, I wanted to post this on its own as I though maybe more people would see it. Last night at the meeting, it was also mentioned that there was a man interested in selling alcoholic beverages at the airshow. The sponsorship money would be a good amount, and would help considerably. Before anyone jumps to their conclusion, there are some things here that might make it worth pursuing, for example, the vendor has his own insurance, no liability on our part should something go wrong. Also, we would place this vendor far from the flightline, and have a contained/ roped-off area around the vendor for people to have their drink at, the alcohol would only be allowed in this area. The museum fully understands how this could interfere with the family atmosphere of the airshow, however if it was contained safely and isolated from the main show area, would you be for, or against it? Austin Wadsworth wanted me to post this, so feel free to discuss/constructively criticize this proposition Nothing is final yet, it is just an option for a good chunk of change that we could put to good use. Let us know what you think and I'll let "Big" Austin know.

[RyanShort1]

1. As a pilot who's had a static at an airshow with alcohol I personally despise the idea. It's not fun arguing with someone with alcohol on the breath and fogging their brain.
2. Security forces at the local airshow told me privately that anytime alcohol is involved at a public event, it basically requires them to have 3 time the manpower.
3. While it may boost funding and such, one accident could easily wipe out any profits, insurance or not.
4. I am not personally of the opinion that alcohol is inherently evil, but it's too easy for the vendors to sell alcohol to someone who's getting drunk and them not be responsible for it. I mean, they're being offered money, and maybe the guy isn't drunk yet, but that next bottle you sell him will put him over the edge.

My two cents.

Ryan

[JDK]

Interesting. There's beer tents at most shows I've been to (that's the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand etc.) and in NZ, I suspect the local wineries do very well and support the show. I recall being offered beers at Osh, and IIRC in Canada.

I don't drink at shows (just not something I'd do) but I've rarely if ever known of major problems with it - but in all cases is licensed and conforms to the local laws and event requirements.

Different cultural expectations and attitudes towards alcohol and social drinking, I guess. Not much use!

[Obergrafeter]

At the Gathering in Columbus they had a large vendor tent for the public and I thought it was very well done, with no problems that I saw. Only problem was the hike to porta cans (but how would I know)

[daveymac82c]

I don't see why they can't have a secure and monitored "Beer Garden"

We've gone one every year at the Abbotsford Airshow, and it's never been a problem. It's the evening flight crew and performer parties that are the real danger.

-David