International Aviation Summit to Showcase Art Work of Bahamian Students

General Aviation chocks artistically designed by students from the Out Islands of the Bahamas, will receive International exposure when they are featured as a give-away to pilots attending the upcoming National Summit of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), in Tampa, Fla., November 5-7, 2009.

Abaco ChocksDuring the month of September, the Aviation Department of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation teamed up with its Tourist Offices in Exuma, Abaco, Eleuthera and Grand Bahama to produce unique chocks for aircraft. The program was held in conjunction with the Junior Achievers Program of various Out Island schools and among the objectives of the program was to “Expose Bahamians to Aviation business opportunities.”

Various Out Island High Schools participated in the creative design contest for the aviation chocks and four winners were selected. Each of the winners was presented a trip to Tampa, to attend the AOPA National Summit where the winning creative hand painted chocks will be showcased, as a premium give-a-way item to the Private Pilots in attendance.

The signature chocks will highlight the uniqueness of The Bahamas and the diversity of the islands. Additionally, the some 1,000 chocks being given away to the pilots in attendance at the show, will serve as an advertising item with The Islands of the Bahamas on one side and one of the Aviation Department’s Preferred Gateway FBO’s  on The other. 

Winning ChocksThe Bahamas team will also distribute the chocks to arriving pilots at AOPA designated airports namely, Tampa Executive Airport, and Peter O knight. The Islands of The Bahamas will receive additional exposure as some of the chocks will be displayed at wheels of all aircraft at the Static Display.

Attending the show will provide exposure for the students, who will also serve as young ambassadors for the Bahamas, bringing much awareness to the Island Destination and symbolizing why it's said, “It’s Better in the Bahamas”

About The Islands Of The Bahamas

The Islands Of The Bahamas form a 100,000-sq-mile archipelago that extends over 500 miles of the clearest water in the world, just 500 miles off the cost of Florida. Our 700 islands, including uninhabited cays and large rocks, total an estimated land area of 5,382 sq miles, and register a highest land elevation of 206 ft. Most notable, however, is that each island has its own diversity that continues beyond geography, carrying through to the heart of the Bahamas, the Bahamian people. You’ll find it in our heritage, in our culture, and in our humble pride. These are The Islands of the Bahamas. Population: somewhere north of 300,000. For more information on The Islands of The Bahamas call  1-800- Bahamas or visit bahamas.com

Contacts:

Judith HoSang
Weber Shandwick
212-445-8122
jhosang@webershandwick.com

Jeannie R. Gibson
Bahamas Tourist Office
954-236-9292
jgibson@bahamas.com

Greg Rolle
Senior Aviation Specialist
Bahamas Tourist Office
954-236-9292
grolle@bahamas.com