In this issue...

Features

From the Wright Brothers to Sputnik and Beyond

Global aviation will be celebrated in Greater Dayton October 4th and 5th. October 4th marks the 50th anniversary of the Russian's launch of Sputnik and October 5th marks the date that the Wright brothers publicly announced and demonstrated controlled practical flight.

Each October 5th the National Aviation Heritage Foundation, the National Park Service and the United States Air Force partner to celebrate the anniversary of Practical Flight. It as on that date in 1905 that the Wright brothers publicly announced and demonstrated that they had achieved practical flight with an airplane that could take off, fly in circles, and land again. The events of that year took place at Huffman Prairie, a pasture some eight miles east of Dayton, Ohio. This hallowed ground is where the Wright brothers conducted their test flights of 1904-05, culminating with their historic announcement on October 5, 1905.

To mark the anniversary, Mark Dusenberry, an Ohioan who built his own exact replica of the Wright Flyer III 1905 flyer, will make replica flights at Huffman Prairie. Huffman Prairie is now a National Park site located on the grounds of Wright Patterson Air Force Base. The Park Service and Air Force work together to maintain the prairie's historical integrity. Today, it looks much the way it did on that day in October, 1905.

The 8am-10am October 5th event at Huffman Prairie is free and open to the public.

To honor the Wright Brothers, the 50th anniversary of Sputnik and 50 years of space flight, a "From the Wright Brothers to Sputnik and Beyond" conference will be held October 4th. The conference will feature keynote speakers Amanda Wright Lane, to give her reflections on the Wright brothers; Evgeny Zvedra, the Russian Embassy Space Attache, and Academician Roal Sagdeev, who will reflect upon Sputnik and the Russian Space Program in general; and a representative of NASA who will address NASA's latest mission to Mars. The Russian Ambassador to the USA, The Honorable Yuri V. Ushakov has also been invited to give a short keynote address.

For more information contact the National Aviation Heritage Area at 937-443-0165 or the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park at 937-225-7705.

World War I Fly-In Set For Sept 21-23, 2007

One of the nation's premiere historical aviation events will bring the excitement and adrenaline of early air power to greater Dayton, Ohio. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will host the three-day Dawn Patrol Rendezvous World War I Fly-In which features vintage original and reproduction WWI aircraft, radio-controlled models, era automobiles, period re-enactors and a "swap and shop" of WWI era items. This flying event is offered every other year by the museum and the Great War Aeroplanes Association. Hours for the event are 9am-5pm Friday and Saturday, Sunday 9am-3pm. Admission and parking are free. For more information contact the Museum at 937-256-8356 or www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.

Wright Brothers' Home Hawthorn Hill Open For Tours

Are you captivated with the history of flight? Would you be fascinated by a glimpse into the mind of Orville Wright? Do you enjoy visiting beautiful, historic homes? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then Hawthorn Hill is the place for you!

Due to an exciting partnership between Dayton History and The Wright Family Foundation, Hawthorn Hill, the Oakwood mansion that Orville Wright called home for nearly 35 years, will be available for educational tours. Dayton History will conduct the tours while the Foundation will continue to own and manage the stately property. This joint venture marks the first time that the Home will be accessible on a regular basis to the general public.

Hawthorn Hill tours will be conducted on Wednesdays and Saturdays for those who have made advance, prepaid reservations. Tours will depart Carillon Historical Park via shuttle van promptly at 10:00 and 12:30. This unique experience is sure to be popular and space is limited to no more than 10 visitors per tour. Don't delay! Make your plans now to visit this National Historic Landmark. The regular ticket price is $12.00 per person. A special combination ticket for admission to both Carillon Historical Park and Hawthorn Hill is available for $15.00 per person. Dayton History members receive a discounted ticket price of $10.00 per person. To make your reservation or for additional information call: 937-293-2841 or toll-free at 1-877-BE-HISTORY.

Area Federal Per Diem Increases

The General Services Administration has established the 2007/2008 Domestic Federal Per Diem Government Travel Rates, and there is good news for the greater Dayton area. The 2007/2008 federal per diem lodging rate for Dayton/Montgomery County has increased from $80 to $84 for 2007/2008. And, as a result the overall per diem rate has increased from $124 to $128 (the meals and incidental expense allowance has remained flat at $44) These rates will be effective October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008.

Fortunately, Dayton/Montgomery County, WPAFB, Greene, and Darke Counties continue to be grouped together as one jurisdictional entity. Per Diem rates can be viewed on the web at: www.gsa.gov/perdiem.

Thanks to those of you who have helped lobby on the industry's behalf on this matter—our efforts have paid off. The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau will continue to work with the Ohio Hotel Lodging Association to monitor this issue.

The CVB Welcomes New Convention Services Coordinator

The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau is pleased to welcome Annie Solomon to our staff. Annie, a recent University of Cincinnati graduate, joins the CVB team as Convention Services Coordinator. In her position Annie will work with meeting planners to ensure the proper promotion and implementation of their events in Dayton/Montgomery County. Additionally Annie will work closely with the CVB's 30 ambassadors to schedule them at the Dayton International Airport Visitors' Information Station and to work registration and information desks at numerous conferences and events in Dayton/Montgomery County throughout the year.

President's Corner

The Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau had the privilege of hosting the Ohio Society of Association Executives (OSAE) annual conference August 1-3, 2007. The OSAE convention, which rotates throughout the state, was last in Dayton in 2001. The 2007 group of approximately 200 event attendees represented key decision makers from a variety of state associations ranging from the Ohio State Bar Association, Ohio Society of CPAs, to Ohio State Nurses and the VFW of Ohio. State association groups generate a significant positive economic impact in our community. Each year Dayton/Montgomery County hosts approximately 30-40 OSAE groups bringing approximately 20,000-40,000+ attendees into our area—attendees who spend money in our hotels, restaurants, attractions and retail outlets.

The 2007 conference was hosted at the Dayton Marriott and attendees had an opportunity to experience much of what Dayton has to offer. Conference guests were treated to a special evening which featured a "Taste of Dayton" dinner at the Taj Ma Garaj, a tour of Montgomery County's Old Court House, followed by desserts and dancing in the Schuster Center Wintergarden.

The Dayton/Montgomery County CVB was also pleased to receive two OSAE Achievement Awards during the conference awards banquet. The CVB's work was recognized in two categories. The 2007 Destination Dayton Visitors Guide, won in the 2007 destination publications category, and the CVB was honored with a "Commitment to Diversity" award for its CVB Ambassador program. Nearly 75 entries from state associations, state convention and visitors bureaus, and industry vendor and supplier representatives were eligible in this year's competition.

The CVB is proud and honored to have the privilege of promoting Dayton/Montgomery County as the ideal conference, meeting and event destination. Don't hesitate to contact us for complimentary professional assistance on planning your next event in Dayton/Montgomery County.

Jacquelyn Y. Powell

Fast Facts/News

• Put on your running shoes and be sure to join in on The 11th Annual USAF Marathon on September 15. Opening ceremony starts at 7am. National Museum of the USAF. $. Call 937-257-4350 for more information.
• Join in the fun at the 36th Annual Oktoberfest on October 5-7 at the Dayton Art Institute. Call for times. $. 937-223-5277
• Explore downtown art galleries, places to live, dining, entertainment and more at the September 14 Urban Nights event. 5pm-10pm. Free. Call 937-224-1518 for more information.
• The Dayton/Montgomery County CVB welcomes two new Montgomery properties—The Comfort Suites Wright Patterson Air Force Base which opened in May 2007 and has 65 rooms and the Hampton Inn & Suites Dayton Airport which has just opened in September 2007 and has 82 rooms.

On The Road

Here's a sampling of where Bureau staff has recently been and is headed in our ongoing attempt to bring business to Dayton/Montgomery County:

July
Fraternity Executives Association Tradeshow	Orlando, FL
Direct Selling Association Tradeshow	San Diego, CA
Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives	Halifax, Nova Scotia
August
Ohio Society of Association Executives Annual Conference	Dayton, OH
American Society of Association Executives Annual Tradeshow	Chicago, IL
September
Affordable Meetings Tradeshow	Washington D.C.
October
The Reunion Network	Covington, KY
Amateur Athletic Union Conference	Schaumburg, IL
Travel Events and Management in Sports	Louisville, KY

Help Us Welcome These Groups!

Following are some of the larger meetings and conventions coming to Dayton/Montgomery County during the next few months:

Contact the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau today to learn how the CVB can save you time and money by providing complimentary assistance to bring your next social or business group's event to Dayton, The Birthplace of Aviation!