By Joseph D. Kelly, President, Greater Atlantic City Chamber

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform during the Atlantic City Air show.

Article Date: Thursday, August 27, 2009

On Aug. 19, 2009, an estimated 750,000 people saw, heard and felt the thundering power as dozens of the country's elite pilots and parachutists took to the skies in this year's Atlantic City Airshow, "Thunder Over the Boardwalk." Just as it requires precision teamwork to perform aerial maneuvers at speeds of up to 1,200 mph while at times only inches apart, it takes tremendous teamwork, cooperation and preparation to propel the airshow to the status it now enjoys as one of the nation's largest and most successful such events.

While enthralled crowds watched in awe the heart-stopping feats and acrobatics of the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Air National Guard and civilian pilots, the planning and preparation that took place behind the scenes was no less impressive.

Henry Ford once said, "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." What began seven years ago with a lofty idea - to bring a world-class air spectacle to Atlantic City - has turned into a shining example of what can be achieved when people work together in pursuit of a common goal.

The 2009 Atlantic City Airshow would not have been possible without the dedication and teamwork of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, the William J. Hughes Federal Aviations Administration Technical Center, the city of Atlantic City, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, the 177th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard, David Schultz Air Shows, the Atlantic City International Airport and the 30-member Airshow Committee working year-round on planning efforts. Nor would it be possible without the support of our more than 50 corporate and media sponsors.

During the air show, collaboration was evident throughout. It could be seen in the EMS squads that traveled from as far away as Edison to support their counterparts from our region. It was seen in the additional manpower provided to members of the Atlantic City Police Department and Coast Guard by the New Jersey State Police. It was unmistakable in the 400 individuals who volunteered their time and talents on the day of the air show, including the Tow Boat U. S. tugboat captain who positioned his boat offshore and sat for hours to serve as point of reference for pilots both during practice day and the actual show.

It was particularly gratifying to see so many of our city's gaming companies working together in support of this event. While the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa once again generously served as presenting sponsor for the air show, it was joined this year by participating sponsors Trump Entertainment Resorts, Tropicana Casino and Resort, Caesars Atlantic City, Bally's Atlantic City, Showboat Casino Hotel, Harrah's Resort and Pinnacle Atlantic City. Their participation reflects an understanding that there is often more to be gained through collaboration than through competition.

The Atlantic City Airshow has become the signature event for our region, and a tremendous source of pride for many of us who live and work here. It is a wonderful, free family spectacle that creates significant business opportunities for so many of the city's merchants, particularly those located on the Boardwalk. As organizers of the event, the Greater Atlantic City Chamber and our many partners in producing the show are committed to finding ways to improve it year after year.

The Atlantic City Airshow provides a compelling argument for the extraordinary things that can be accomplished through teamwork and collaboration. It is my hope that the spirit of cooperation so prevalent during the air show becomes standard operating procedure for our public and private sector leaders. We all need to work together to move our city and our region forward.

From tourism, economic development and employment to housing, education and civic interests, there are no limits to what we can achieve by working together for our collective best interests rather than our individual ones.