First Bahamas Day at Banyan Successful

Banyan, located at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), hosted the first annual Bahamas Day on February 20, 2010. This event was for pilots who wanted information on flying to the Bahamas and for people who wanted details about charter flights.

Banyan transformed its hangar into the look and feel of the Bahamas. More than 30 exhibitors were on-sight, providing everything from hand-rolled cigars to Bahamian rum cake samples. A number of Bahamian resorts and hotels were available to answer questions and provide additional information about activities and attractions.

Bruce Woodrell, Banyan's Customer Support Ambassador, Bill Garghill, Banyan's Director of Customer Support, and Bahamian Policeman, Lafayette Dorsett welcomed attendees to the first Bahamas Day that was held at Banyan. The opening ceremony started with the United States National Anthem followed by the Bahamian National Anthem. The menu for the event was traditional Bahamian food; rice and beans, conch salad, conch fritters, plantains, chicken and fish prepared by Tis So Sweet Bahamian Cuisine. In the afternoon, The Bahamas Junkanoo Shakers made hearts beat faster and provided a colorful display with their music and dancing. 

A series of seminars were presented during the event, including, eAPIS, presented by Michelle Bernal of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Flying to the Bahamas, presented by John & Betty Obradovich of Pilot Publishing and Greg Rolle of the Bahamas Tourist office, and Preparing your Aircraft for Over Water Flight, presented by Corbin Hallaran of Premier Aircraft sales. In addition, Donna and Charlie Rogers of Survival Products, Inc. demonstrated how to inflate a survival raft. Fifteen door prizes, donated by the exhibitors, ranging from goodie bags to resort get-a-ways were announced during the event. For more information on exhibitors, door prize winners and a video of the junkanoo band, visit www.banyanair.com/bahamasday.

“It was our pleasure to be the first Gateway FBO to host Bahamas Day and we thank the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and other sponsors for making this day possible,"  said Nancy Bouvier, Banyan’s marketing director. "This was an exciting day and truly a special one for people interested in the Bahamas.”

Sponsors of the event were The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Avfuel, Cape Eleuthera, Odyssey Aviation, Bahamas & Caribbean Pilot’s Guide, UVair, Fernandez Bay Village, Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort and Abaco Beach Resort. The next Bahamas Day will be in 2011 and hosted at another Gateway FBO location. 

As an official Gateway to the Bahamas, Banyan offers first-hand knowledge of the islands, Bahamas documentation kits, customs and immigration information, safety and survival gear rentals and 24-hour fuel and ground support services. United States Customs is also available from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  For more information, visit www.banyanair.com.