The BMFA would like to encourage all Areas and affiliated clubs to hold an event at their flying field during the month of May. The aim of the ‘Flightfest’ is to raise the profile of our sport with the public and encourage more to partake. For 2019 this will be a relatively simple affair, with the hope that in coming years the concept can grow and develop, both in variety and reach.
Suggested types of events a club could put on include:
· Fly-In.
· Trial experience flights.
· Friends and family BBQ.
· Invite a local Scout group, ATC, sports team etc to visit.
· Invite local radio, newspaper and TV news to take part.
There are many types of events that a club could organise and they should be encouraged to host events that they feel comfortable organising. Whatever type of event a club holds, it should allow
visitors the chance to get hands on, be that via the club trainer, PC based flight simulator, or free flight models for children to build and keep.
The BMFA will produce and distribute to clubs a Marketing Toolkit that will contain artwork for posters and flyers, along with event guidance. This leaves the Areas and clubs to fill in the blank spaces on the promotional material with their event details, then distribute within the community and online. This will present a uniform brand for the month long event up and down the country.
BMFA Buckminster will be the main showcase for the Flightfest, leading by example and hopefully encouraging more clubs to get involved next year.
We will work nationally to attract media attention and encourage TV, Radio and the press to visit the National Centre and take part.
Hopefully, with Areas and clubs interacting at a local level and at the same time nationally, we should increase the reach and visibility of our sport further.
We will be on hand at every step to help assist, guide and support any club that is taking part. This first year shouldn’t be overly complicated or taxing for you. The key thing to remember… no matter what activity you decide to try, focus on making sure that the club comes over as a welcoming, fun and enjoyable place to spend time.
All members know the personal pleasure that model flying brings, the friendships made, the personal challenges enjoyed and succeeded at. If we can pass on this enthusiasm to our local community, the event will have succeeded.
“United We Achieve”