OSH KOSH, Wisconsin -- The Chief Pilot and Aviation Specialist for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Greg Rolle, began his chairmanship of the International Federal Partnership (IFP), at the recent EAA AirVenture 2012, Oshkosh, WI.

At the helm of IFP, a prestigious international aviation organization, The Bahamas aviation chief’s place aids in  strategically positioning The Islands Of The Bahamas to receive maximum visibility within the lucrative general aviation industry, at the AirVenture show, the largest aviation show worldwide.

A group of Federal agencies from the United States, Canada and The Bahamas, IFP participate as a group at AirVenture annually in what has come to be known as the International Federal Pavilion.  As chairman of this body, The  Bahamas’ Chief Pilot work closely with the Federal Agencies to ensure that pilots flying to The Bahamas, have all the procedural information required for a hassle free crossing of the US borders.

To mark the beginning of its aviation chief in his historic leadership role as the first non-American to head the IFP,  during the recent AirVenture, The Bahamas staged a grand cultural extravaganza that it is said will be the talk of the aviation community for years to come.  Many of those in the aviation industry at AirVenture 2012, who were lucky to receive a coveted invite and attended the ”Taste Of The Bahamas” function, commented afterwards that the event far exceeded all expectations.

“A Taste Of The Bahamas” included a lavish reception that featured a Bahamian rum punch and numerous seafood hors d’ouvres.  The reception ended with guests being ushered into an elaborately decorated dinner hall, where the main event commenced with the ceremonial parade of The U.S., Bahamas and Canadian Flags. The Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band, entertained with a diverse selection of music from traditional island music to the crooning stylings of Louis Armstrong.

The three course, gourmet, meal,  prepared by Bahamian chefs, included queen conch and lobster chowder; plaintain wrapped, pan-seared snapper fillet (imported from The Bahamas) and a guava and mango rum mousse cake with benny tuille, warm sugar banana and mint bread pudding with a peppercorn and sugar Apple syrup.  The entertainment continued with costumed Bahamian Junkanoo cultural dancers, who drew guests to the floor to dance the night away.

Dinner guests included aviation media, key aviation executives and members of the International Federal Partnership. The distinguished guests and V.I.P. list included National Transport and Safety Board (NTSB), Deputy Director, Dana Schultze; Bonnie Perkins - Sun N Fun’s Executive; EAA International  Government Director, Randy Hansen and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Special Agent David Grantham.

Representing The Bahamas Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obediah H. Wilchcombe, the Under Secretary to The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Charles Albury, greeted guests and invited them to fly down to The Bahamas.  Mr. Albury also noted that the Bahamas’ presence at AirVenture as well as its participation with the International Federal Partnership are clear indications of its interest in expanding business from the general aviation market.

Already coming out of AirVenture 2012,  The Bahamas has two confirmed groups of general aviation pilots that are scheduled to fly to The Bahamas within the next few months.   The Southern Bonanza group will fly down to Cape Santa Maria, Long Island Bahamas, November 7-11, 2012 and the LSA Fly In group is scheduled for January 20-24, 2013. Additionally, the aviation team is following a number of other group movements that should be confirmed within the coming weeks.

The Islands Of The Bahamas has been aggressive in its marketing efforts against the general aviation market,  and this year, in a move to maximize its visibility and exposure,  increased its presence at the popular aviation show.   The country was represented in the International Federal Pavilion by The Bahamas Tourism aviation team; representatives from Bahamas Preferred FBO Gateways, Sheltair Aviation - Fort Lauderdale Jet Center and Banyan Air Service; Bahamas Customs and Immigration Department; Bahamas Civil Aviation and the Royal Bahamas Police Force uniformed and aviation units.  Again the Breezer Light Sports Aircraft (LSA) that has flown to The Bahamas multiple times was exhibited with the Bahamas’ LSA Ambassador on hand to answer questions. Also on hand at a second booth outside of the Federal Pavilion were representatives from The Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board, Grand Bahama hoteliers and ground transfer and one of the Bahamas’ FBO’s.

“We are taking advantage of this unique opportunity as the single Caribbean destination to have the ear of this massive general aviation community that is EAA AirVenture. We want the GA pilots to know that we want their business;  and we want to continue to tell them about the beauty of our country, our unique and exciting culture and of the ease of flying to The Island Of the Bahamas,  which is the closest offshore destination to the United States”, said Mr. Greg Rolle.

Photo: The Bahamas Chief Pilot and Aviation Specialist, Greg Rolle, began his historic chairmanship of the International Federal Partnership at the recent EAA AirVenture aviation show, Oshkosh, WI.  Mr. Rolle has become the first non-American to chair the organization of American, Bahamian and Canadian Federal Agents that exhibit as a group annually at AirVenture, which has been dubbed the world's largest aviation show.  Above in the IFP's 2012 group photo at far left is Rolle, in black pants and white shirt.