Re: Sun n Fun
To read this thread, you'd think that SnF was dying down in FL. Not true.
I had the chance to speak to an officer of Sun n Fun on the ramp at LAL this past Jan. What some may not know is SnF is a not-for-profit corp, volunteer staffed and committed to becoming a major player in Aviation Educaton. The corporation has many year long programs on week nights, weekends and summer camps that work toward the education of youth about aviation. They tirelessly work on upgrading the facilities toward that goal, and want LAL and the SnF campus on it to become a mecca for aviation education, just like their bretheren in OSH. I was astounded at all that's going on within that organization. There are plans to build year round dormatories for education events. Their camping facilities rival most state parks I've stayed in as far as the showers are concerned.
I too was always under the impression that SnF's airshow was an EAA event, but it never has been. SnF has always welcomed EAA, and grants discounts to EAA members, but they are not one in the same organization.
I don't know about any vendors backing out of the airshow, because I am not in a position to have the statistics on that, but I've been to SnF for the past 9 years and the show floor is always jammed with vendors and attendees, all four buildings and the tent city on the flightline. The food keeps getting better, they now have espresso vendors, and chain restaurants like MargharitaVille, and Outback Steakhouse set up for the week, complete with live entertainment.
I have a beef with SnF myself that goes back a few years, but that's personal, and has nothing to do with what this fine organization is trying to accomplish. SnF, EAA, AOPA, as long as they're all advocates for flying, I'll support them by spending $$ there.