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 Re-
gional 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 busi-
nesses.
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 Founda-
tion 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 Communi-
ty Foundation works with individuals, families,
corporations, private foundations and non-profit
organizations to help them carry out their chari-
table objectives and address emerging communi-
ty 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 Mus-
tang, 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 stu-
dents 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 Au-
burn 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 pro-
ject was greatly aided by the assistance of AEEP under the Community Foundation, which graciously provid-
ed the funds to purchase eight digital audio recorders for the purpose of capturing the interviews for keep-
ing.
August 2014: National Aviation Day . AEEP worked with area K-12 classrooms to provide oral histories col-
lected 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% Female 44%
Families: 47%
Age: 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 ex-
perience and project based learning in the areas such as history, math, science, and tech-
nology.
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 ap-
pearance 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 Pro-
gram. 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
Presenting
$50,000
Platinum
$25,000
Gold
$10,000
Silver
$5000
Bronze
$2500
General
$1000
Level
Category
Exclusivity Exclusivity in your
business category
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Premium location
of logo on print,
digital and web
with link
Logo on print,
digital and web
with link
Company name on
print, digital and
web with link
Company name on
print, digital and
web with link
Listed on web with
link
Listed on web
with link
Marketing Materials
Company featured
on radio ads
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Radio Ads
10 8 6 4 2 N/A Pilots Practice Tickets
10 8 6 4 2 N/A VIP Pilot’s Reception Tick-
ets
50 24 10 6 4 2 General Admission
25 12 8 N/A N/A N/A Reserved Flight Line Seating
Access Wristbands
8 6 2 1 N/A N/A VIP Parking at Airport
4 4 2 2 1 Name listed on
Sponsor banner at
Air Show
Banners Placed at Air Show
plus name listed on
Sponsor Banners
8 6 4 3 2 1 PA Announcements during
Air Show
Option for a
20x20 footprint at
Air Show for
business booth
(no additional fee)
Option for a 10x10
footprint at Air
Show for
business booth
(additional fee for
tent)
Option for a 10x10
footprint at Air
Show for
business booth
(additional fee for
tent)
N/A N/A N/A Booth
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
$75,000 $40,000 $18,000 $7500 $3200 $1200 Value of Package
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 [email protected].
Sponsor/Friends of AEEP
Donor Application
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
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
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: [email protected]
www.auburnopelikaairshow.com
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