NBAA Thanks Volunteers for Bringing Aviation-Themed Playground to Orlando Community

Contact: Dan Hubbard at (202) 783-9360 or dhubbard@nbaa.org

ORLANDO, FL, October 7, 2008 –The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today thanked the nearly 300 volunteers from business aviation and the local Orlando community for their successful work to construct an aviation-themed playground in a single day.

The playground, built on October 4 in conjunction with NBAA’s 61st Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2008), was the result of a partnership with KaBOOM!, a non-profit group that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America, and Orlando-based BBA/Signature Flight Services. This year’s Park Build marks the second year for what has become an annual project, following last year’s playground build near Fulton County Airport-Brown Field (FTY) in Atlanta, GA.

Volunteers began working on October 2 to level the ground and dig holes on-site to prepare for this year’s Park Build at the Hollowbrook apartment complex, home to more than 200 children needing a safe place to play. Hollowbrook is located near the Orlando Executive Airport (ORL), which is hosting the Static Display of Aircraft for NBAA2008.

Completely replacing outdated equipment, the new playground’s design is based on drawings that local children provided to organizers at KaBOOM! Over 230 cubic yards of mulch, 30,000 pounds of concrete and 250 feet of fencing were used to create the park that features four Mendocino benches, two shade structures, a community bulletin board, a directional post, a world map and asphalt games, a stage with eight deck benches, 60 painted mural squares and 30 mosaic stepping stones.

“We are very impressed with KaBOOM! and the input from the children. The playground is great,” said Gary Boekenkamp, vice president, strategy and business development for NBAA Member Company BBA/Signature Flight Services. Boekenkamp, who serves as the project chair, is unofficially known as the “Build King.” More than 140 families in this Central Florida community will benefit from this vibrant new space.

The playground is part of NBAA’s ongoing work to build bridges between airports and local communities, and will also be one of more than 220 projects that KaBOOM! will coordinate this year. “We’re delighted to participate and lend a hand,” added Boekencamp, “This is a worthwhile endeavor that’s great for the community.”

NBAA thanks the volunteers and sponsors from the aviation and local communities who participated in this effort, which included: AEM International, BBA/Signature Flight Services, Dassault Falcon Jet. Crystal Springs, BJs, Chick-Fil-A, Napoleon’s Pizza and Johnson’s Diner provided food and drink for the event, and other sponsors included Disney, SeaWorld, Seline Company, Universal Orlando, Garsite, JBT AeroTech, Sam Hart/Clear Channel Airports, TUG Technologies and TKDA-ECMC / Kinley Construction Group.

““We are very excited to have had the opportunity to work together to help the Hollowbrook community,” said Maureen Cameron, NBAA’s director of marketing, conventions, seminars & forums, “The new park has helped make the community brighter for neighborhood children by giving them a safe place to play.”

At the conclusion of the build, a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony was held, featuring volunteers, local elected officials and community leaders, including Orlando City Commissioner Tony Ortiz.

For complete coverage of NBAA2008 visit www.nbaa.org/2008.

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association, Inc. (NBAA) is the leading organization for companiesthat rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention,the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

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