Aviation Expo seeks help with air traffic

The U.S. Sport Aviation Expo is getting so large that it needs to have the Federal Aviation Administration to be involved to control traffic.

That's what Mike Willingham, executive director of Sebring Regional Airport, told the Highlands County Tourist Development Council during its meeting Thursday at the Holiday Inn Express in Lake Placid. Willingham and Bob Wood, chairman of the expo, were there to ask for $6,295 that will be used for the FAA to take control of the air tower for the event, which is set for Jan. 20-23, 2011.

Next year will be the seventh year for the expo, which Willingham said has become an "international event." He noted that participation by the FAA is "critical" because of the number of aircraft flying in on the Friday and Saturday of the event.

Wood said exhibitors have come from 38 states and seven foreign countries. There were 157 exhibitors this year.

The attendance at this year's expo was about 11,000, according to Wood.

The council approved the request. However, the Highlands County Commission must also give its approval.

The amount of tourist tax money the expo receives will be based on the number of room nights that are verified.

"We know we put people in hotels from here (Lake Placid) to Avon Park," Wood said. "We will survey the hotels afterward. We have never done it before."

Tourism office moving

The Highlands County Visitor and Convention Bureau office is moving off the highway into downtown Sebring.

The office is located across from the Highlands County Government Center in the annex building at 501 S. Commerce Ave.

John Scherlacher and administrative assistant Dana Knight are expected to be in the new location Sept. 24. Scherlacher and Knight will each have separate offices and there is also a small conference room. There is a separate entrance.

Scherlacher said the move to the county building will save about $10,000 a year in rent, utilities and other expenses.

Highlands County Commissioner Barbara Stewart, who chairs the tourist council, mentioned that the county had office space available after the housing authority moved out.

The telephone number is 1-800-545-6021. The local telephone number for the office will be changing.

Office hours will be 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The office has been at 1121 U.S. 27 S. for eight years.

In other business, Scherlacher said he attended the Citrus Expo in Fort Myers last month. He told the council that Gary Cooper, who manages the expo, will be visiting Highlands County in October to discuss the possibility of moving the event here. Cooper, president of Southeast AgNet, is expected to tour the new Highlands County Fair Convention Center and South Florida Community College.