November 2, 2009

Happy November! This past weekend was Halloween and because I waited until the last minute I didn’t get to perfect my costume like I wanted to. I ended up dressing up as a witch, but I’m going to start working on next year’s costume that way I’ll be ready! Silver Wings and Arnold Air Society went trick-or-treating for canned goods to benefit one of the local food banks. We collected a good amount of food and everyone had a fun time.

Last Thursday, I was given the opportunity to miss class and drive to Orlando for the National Business Aviation Association Conference. This conference allows aviation businesses to come together in one location and showcase their products to potential buyers. My Professional Selling professor wanted us all to attend so we could observe some sales people and see how they sold their product. I got to see a lot of different companies and how they tried to entice the customer to come to their booth by different display techniques and free promotional products. For example, one booth put on a magic show and in the end gave away a bunch of prizes for audience participation. A group of my classmates and I were able to talk candidly to one company and we found out that it was one of the smallest conventions in the past three years and they blamed it on the economy. Furthermore, they stated that the aviation industry will most likely be in a recession until 2012. The good news is their company was able to get some prospective new customers out of the show, so hopefully they will survive the economic downturn. Overall, the conference was interesting and I learned some new information, so I’m glad that I made the trip to check it out.

My scooter and I took a trip to one of my favorite locations: the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. It was a beautiful day and I hadn’t rode my scooter for awhile. During my freshman year, I made my first trip to the lighthouse and was impressed by the magnificent size and beauty. I’ve always enjoyed lighthouses and this was the first one I was able to go inside and climb to the top. I think it’s about 200 steps to the top and once you are up there you can see for quite a distance. I had a fun time and enjoyed having the break from homework.

Homecoming and the Career Expo are this week. I’ll have to fill in you in on the details in the next entry. Also, I have been invited to have dinner with the College of Business Industry Advisory Board which I’m looking forward to. This week is also when many companies provide information sessions and the two that I’m planning on attending are Continental Airlines and U.S. Space and Rocket Center. I’m looking forward to learning lots of information.

My sister is going to be here in about three weeks and I’m excited for all the things we are going to do. I’m going to go to Walt Disney World (for the first time since I was five) while she is here –I can hardly wait!

Until next time,

Kaleigh