We are thrilled to share the highlights of PreFlight’s time at the EAA AirVenture 2024 in Oshkosh! This year’s event was an incredible experience for us, filled with meaningful connections, productive meetings, and exciting opportunities for the future.
Here’s a recap of our week at the world’s largest aviation celebration.
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A Week of Accomplishments and Connections
Our booth featured a luxury demonstration suite that was quickly and expertly put together by our team. Equipped with satellite Wi-Fi, air conditioning, comfortable seating, and refreshments, it became a popular spot for visitors. A highlight of our booth was the display of a Super Decathlon from our partner school, Pilot Makers. Adorned with PreFlight decals, this aircraft attracted a lot of attention and photos. We were fortunate to have representatives from Pilot Makers, including Geoff, Tayla, Moses, Richard, and Lisa, who were invaluable in answering questions and engaging with visitors.
We also had the pleasure of being introduced to the International Aerobatics Club (IAC), thanks to Pilot Makers. Lorrie, the Editor-In-Chief, expressed interest in featuring PreFlight in one of their 2025 magazines, which is an exciting opportunity for us.
Our primary goal for attending EAA AirVenture was to connect with new and old partners, friends, and acquaintances, and to build new partnerships with clubs and companies. We are proud to say that we surpassed our expectations. We met numerous wonderful people and were introduced to fantastic communities, paving the way for an influx of additional clubs joining the PreFlight family.
Showcasing Innovation and Building Relationships
At the event, we showcased our new Custom User Roles and Permissions feature, which received a positive response. Many visitors inquired about our Part 141 functionality, direct billing/invoicing, and maintenance capabilities. It was gratifying to see that our answers met with satisfaction. We also had several software companies express interest in potential integrations, which could lead to exciting collaborations in the future.
One of the most rewarding aspects of our time at Oshkosh was the connections we made. We had the privilege of presenting our software to the members of the International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA). Their warm welcome and genuine interest in our offerings were truly heartwarming. Special thanks to Kerrick and his wife Connie for their hospitality and attentiveness. We look forward to supporting the impactful missionary work that IAMA does through the aviation sector. Additionally, we’re excited to build out software features for the maintenance shops that are members of IAMA
We also connected with a community of US Air Force pilots, which was facilitated by one of our board members, a former USAF pilot. This connection led to interactions with Patriot Aircraft, who invited us to their hangar at the airport to watch the night show from a unique perspective. The aerobatics, fireworks, and drone show were spectacular, and we are thankful to Patriot Aircraft for having us out. Representatives from a very well-known aviation software solution also stopped by our booth, showing significant interest in our software.
We were also very glad to connect with our friends at Badass Patches, one of whom is on the advisory board at PreFlight. Potus and Hustla were great fun to spend time with, both at the booth and at the bar Fox River Brewery, which we visited on multiple evenings. We showcased the excellent quality of their work by offering free PreFlight patches at our booth that were created by them.
Positive Feedback and Memorable Moments
Our presentation at the IAMA tent was well received, and we are eager to see where this opportunity leads. Despite some rain, our booth and demonstration trailer handled it well, and we learned valuable lessons about booth organization and visitor engagement. We’re already brainstorming ways to make our presence even more impactful next year, including taller advertisements and enhanced booth landscaping.
One humorous incident involved moving the Super Decathlon without informing co-owner Geoff, leading to a moment of light-hearted panic before we assured him everything was fine. It was moments like these, filled with camaraderie and laughter, that made our time at Oshkosh truly special.
We enjoyed interacting with the aviation community, both in person and on social media. Offering behind-the-scenes glimpses of our time at Oshkosh helped us connect with a broader audience and foster excitement about our offerings. Moving forward, we plan to attend more aviation events, such as Sun N Fun in Florida, to continue building relationships and establishing our presence in the aviation community.
Looking Ahead
Our successful week at EAA AirVenture 2024 has shown us the value of attending such events and the importance of building strong relationships within the aviation community. We are excited to expand our team and continue growing, driven by the momentum generated at Oshkosh.
Stay tuned for more updates and stories as we soar to new heights with PreFlight. Thank you to everyone who visited our booth, engaged with us, and made this event a resounding success!
