When I look back on SUN ‘n FUN 2026 I am flooded with gratitude for so many reasons. First, we had a very safe year, the changes we have implemented with ATC over the last three years to the arrival procedure have allowed us to accommodate a 16+ year record number of fly-in aircraft safely and efficiently in a manner that keeps the stress down to manageable levels for pilots flying in. Amongst other things, we believe some of this had to do with the additional arrival and departure times available by testing the new Composite Show format on Wednesday. This was such a big hit with exhibitors and fly-in guests that we are going to add another Composite Show on Friday as well in 2027.
Second, our on-site feedback and after-action surveys all indicate that our record setting number of 220,000 individual guests all greatly enjoyed their time at SUN ‘n FUN. Our goal isn’t to be the largest air show in the world, but it is absolutely our mission to be the most fun! As far as entertaining goes, I believe we have accomplished that already. However, we are not letting up off the accelerator! Our Night Airshows have raised the bar in the industry and will continue to innovate with new elements each year that other shows seek to emulate. Our musical acts, either on the main concert stage or at our various social hubs such as The Island, The Swamp and The Sandbar have been wonderfully received by our guests and each of those areas provides an environment to make new aviation-minded friends and enjoy the camaraderie.
Third, we were able to meet our fundraising goals to support our parent organization, the Aerospace Center for Excellence. I think people are just starting to understand that SUN ‘n FUN is primarily the fundraising mechanism for what happens the other 51 weeks a year on our Lakeland, FL campus where we continue to engage, educate and accelerate the next generation of aerospace professionals through the Central Florida Aerospace Academy, a four year aviation centric high school with over 400 students, the Lakeland Aero Club, where our students learn to build, fly and maintain our club aircraft, the recently refreshed Florida Air Museum and so many more tools we utilize to reach over 30,000 students annually.
A Word from Dennis
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