Sport Aviation Event Defeats Mother Nature to Score Over 20% Attendance Increase

The DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase (DSAS), conducted from November 14-16, 2019, at the DeLand Municipal Airport in Florida, has completed a careful look at ticket sales, gate receipts, exhibitor numbers and other data… and is happy to report that the 2019 Showcase eclipsed the 2018 attendance by over 20%.

DSAS Boss, Jana Filip, checked the numbers carefully, and was thrilled with the result despite concerns over some occasionally inclement weather that could have inhibited attendance.

“Sport aviation is alive and well… and the truly dedicated flyers out there simply would not let some clouds and sporadic rain keep them from seeing and sharing in all that was new and interesting in the sport aviation universe,” explained Filip. “Our exhibitors reported that many of those who ventured to DeLand were serious sport flyers, while interest, as well as the all-important sales reports, were better than what might have been expected… several exhibitors reported solid sales from the show, with airplanes, avionics, aviation services and accessories all being sold in impressive numbers at DSAS19.”

The Fourth annual edition of the event; DSAS19 boasted 26 companies new to the Showcase, resulting in a sold-out exhibitor slate that included some of the most prominent names in the sport aviation business.

With an all-volunteer staff working under Filip, (Deland’s Sport Aviation Administrator), the showcase promoted a number of new innovations in the months leading into this year’s event. A greater emphasis on marketing and communications paid serious dividends in increasing awareness of the event’s potential and importance, while a Passport program provided onsite visitors an incentive to make sure that they saw as much of the Showcase as possible. On the attraction side, a STOL aircraft competition was a surefire winner with attendees who flocked to the flightline at end of each day to see the Short Take-Off and Landing contest in real-time. And, that’s but a few of the highpoints that characterized this year’s event.

Filip is studying attendee and exhibitor reports, now, before confirming dates for the next edition of the DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase. A decision is expected to be announced shortly.

FMI: www.sportaviationshowcase.com