ironranger Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 We are planning a family vacation to Florida this winter to escape the cold wintery weather of Northern Minnesota and wondered if the Heli Expo would be a good family event to check out. My wife and I are both interested in helicopters and are currently taking lessons. I am assuming kids would be allowed to attend. I am also wondering if others from the forum plan on attending and if so maybe there could be a planned get together somewhere to meet everyone. Ironranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloPitts Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 If you are a member of HAI you can get in for free, but if you are'nt it is very expensive 100+ a ticket. If you know someone that is a vendor you can usually get free tickets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delorean Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 Free ticket for members? Nooooooo....nothing is free with HAI. If memory serves, you get about $10 off, which still makes it a $65 ticket. DO NOT book anything through HAI. The jack up the hotel rates by at least 25%. Student passes available on-site. $25, but you have to stand in line for them and you don't get a tote bag (No big deal, just go to Pratt & Whitney's booth first for a much better one). Just use your student pilot's certificate if they ask. Couple years ago, I printed a few dozen phony student IDs on Avery business cards for a whole group of us that went. The boss did one better and made a phony press pass and got all kinds of free stuff. I always got in for free by hitting our parts vendors and other people up for passes ahead of time. Try to find out where the partys are.....Bell, Sikorsky, Eurocopter, etc always have HUGE parties at night in some pretigious location. Tons of free food and drinks. Go the FIRST day and maybe the second. By the third, all the free stuff is gone and most people are already packing up to leave. Family deal......Nah. It's in Orlando this year so let the wife and kids go to Disney World or one of the MANY attractions on Intl' Drive all of which is in walking distance from the convention center & hotels. You'll want to spend at least 5-6 hours there--the wife and kids will only pretend to be excited for about an hour. DRESS UP. If you go in there in jeans, a Robinson t-shirt, you will get treated like crap by all the vendors. If you look like you're somebody, you'll actually get your questions answered, get some free stuff, and may even get a flight. Heli-Expo is a great experience, but it's there to sell helicopters, not entertain the general public. I'll probably go this year, and I'll definately go next time it's in Vegas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arotrhd Posted November 15, 2006 Report Share Posted November 15, 2006 Yeah, I was wondering which HAI I am a member of that gives FREE tickets to Heli Expo. I have to agree with Delorean in that the family might get information overload a little faster than you. I would also recommend ordering ahead so you don't have to stand in line if you don't have other contacts or "methods". If I'm not mistaken, the expo tends to 'tolerate' kids on the last two days if they're NOT in strollers and somewhat respective of the environment - the opening day is just asking for problems with all the announcements and deals being signed. After, though, SOME vendors have been known to even go out of the way to make it fun and memorable with the freebies that are stashed for such occasions (very few)...wasn't always this way, but it's no secret that the industry will need the young ones later to fill the voids. And yes, make your own reservations for hotels/air/rentals. -WATCH FOR THE WIRES- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeloPitts Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 Sorry I was mistaken I thought if you were a member you could get in for free my bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bristol Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 Lucky me, I'm in Daytona Beach. Short drive.. Tomlinson Aviation in Ormond.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironranger Posted November 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 Thanks for all the replies. I think I would have had a little sticker shock standing in line buying 5 tickets. Maybe I'll have to go another time when the kids aren't along and if its in Vegas I'll see ya there Delorean. Thanks Again Ironranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helipilot06 Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 So if i showed up with a student ID, i could get in for 25 dollars? I would love to see all the helicopters and get to talk to people about new technology and stuff but my main reason for going is networking with flight schools that might attend...good idea or am i just wasting my time since im not a seasoned professional in the industry?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pokey Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 I went a few years as a vendor (my tool company). It is kinda awesome to see all the helicopters, & all the new stuff. (as a vendor tho--i was stuck in that stupid booth most of the time) (altho i did "stick" my friends in it as much as i could w/ their free passes) I dont think it is the best place to look for a flight school. But? if you can afford it & have never been, you may make some contacts, & will remember it for a lifetime. BTW? you think just a day pass is expensive?-- it cost me well over 5 thousand to be there as a vendor, and i had just a "puppy-sized" booth (that's why i quit diong it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svtcobra66 Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 Do you buy tickets when you get there? I checked out the website and couldn't find anything for non-vendors. I'm in orlando so I'll have to check it out. If anyone else is going maybe we can have a "VR" lunch or something... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pokey Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 Do you buy tickets when you get there? I checked out the website and couldn't find anything for non-vendors. I'm in orlando so I'll have to check it out. If anyone else is going maybe we can have a "VR" lunch or something... Yip, just hand over $$ & they gal hands you a pass Ya got me thinkin' about maybe goin' lemme check & see if any cheep flites to orlando that weekend. I havent been to the expo in a few years, nor florida--as matter of fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arotrhd Posted November 16, 2006 Report Share Posted November 16, 2006 So if i showed up with a student ID, i could get in for 25 dollars? I would love to see all the helicopters and get to talk to people about new technology and stuff but my main reason for going is networking with flight schools that might attend...good idea or am i just wasting my time since im not a seasoned professional in the industry?? HP06- I know budgets are what they are for most individuals in training - and almost everyone else, but I strongly believe that the best opportunities to network are in any of the courses... if you can afford the flying in the wire environment course with Bob Feerst, you (IMHO) are walking away with A LOT more useful and potentially life saving knowledge. I've been through a half dozen safety and management courses between Dallas, LV & Anaheim and I have always walked away with a lot more than a handshake and a business card - I've been fortunate enough to meet new lifetime friends from just about every job type associated with the industry as well as a place to vacation nearly free of cost at just about every country or location I could want. Besides, you get a free day pass and still get to meet a lot of folks to network with outside of flight schools, generally speaking. If nothing else, make plans to go to the expo mixers. -WATCH FOR THE WIRES- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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