e-link is a quarterly newsletter for our tenants, vendors and business partners to stay linked in with the projects, accomplishments and development at Southwest Florida International Airport and Page Field. October ¾ R. Scott Cameron, CCIM, was appointed to the Lee County Port Authority Airports Special Management Committee (ASMC) by the Lee County Board of Port Commissioners. He serves as the ASMC regional member representing Collier County. Cameron has more than 30 years of experience in commercial and investment real estate sales, leasing and property management. He is the president of Cameron Real Estate Services, Inc. and Cameron Asset Management, Inc. ¾ New parking rates took effect at Southwest Florida International Airport as part of the Lee County Port Authority 2012 fiscal year budget, giving more options to long-term parkers. The new parking rates at RSW are as follows: Long-term Parking > > Per Hour: $2; Daily Maximum: $11 > > First Week: $60 (Reduced from $62) > > Daily Rate After First Week: $4 (Reduced from $11) Short-term Parking > > First 20 Minutes: Free; Next 20 Minutes: $2 > > One Hour: $3 > > Daily Maximum: $16 ¾ The Lee County Port Authority Police Department is the recipient of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) from the United States Department of Justice, through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in the amount of $14,000. The funds were used to purchase four patrol vehicle computers. November ¾ Taxicab advertising was introduced in Dusseldorf, Germany to encourage viewers to travel to Southwest Florida on Air Berlin. These taxicab toppers are part of a cooperative marketing effort between Air Berlin, the Lee County VCB and Southwest Florida International Airport to support nonstop service to Fort Myers from Germany. Air Berlin is the fifth largest carrier in Europe and is currently offering three weekly nonstop flights to Fort Myers, Fla. Page 1
¾ Aviation Day 2011, held at Page Field on November 5, was a huge success. More than 5,700 people joined us on a beautiful day to look at 70 aircraft displays on the ramp, take plane and helicopter rides and view demonstrations from our police and fire departments. We had 32 exhibitors under a large tent including airlines, veteran s organizations and local non-profit and community groups. The Harry Chapin Food Bank, our Aviation Day food drive partner, received 2,185 pounds of food and cash donations in the amount $1,176. An email received after the event from one Lee County family sums up the event nicely: I wanted to personally thank all the sponsors and event coordinators for Aviation Day. With tight finances, I couldn't believe that the bounce houses and slides were free. Everyone was so generous in their giveaways. My son's favorite was the Chick-fil-A cow parachute drop. He loved seeing all the planes, especially the one he was able to walk through and the helicopter that he was able to sit in. All the food was really great and the prices too. And one of the best things of the day was that since I saved so much money on the day, I was able to donate more to the Harry Chapin Food Bank Fund. Thank you for such a wonderful day!" December ¾ Base Ops at Page Field Airport reports a record 41 percent sales increase at The Exchange gift shop, since opening its doors in September 2011. Page 2
¾ Southwest Airlines announced new daily nonstop seasonal service to Hartford, Conn. and Providence R.I. Flights begin Feb. 12, 2012 and will operate through April 21, 2012. Meet HMSHost @ RSW What does it take to feed more than 300,000 people a month? Coordination, manpower and a great attitude! HMSHost, the food and beverage concessionaire at Southwest Florida International Airport has all three of these qualities. They make sure that our passengers and employees have appetite-appealing, quality food choices every day throughout the airport. HMSHost is part of Autogrill S.p.A. the world s largest provider of food, beverage and retail services for millions of travelers at more than 200 airports and travel plazas worldwide. HMSHost has more than 300 international, regional and proprietary brands in its concept portfolio. At RSW, these brands include fast food like Burger King, casual dining like Dewar s Clubhouse and even local options like Palm City Market, which uses recipes from the Farmer s Market Restaurant in downtown Fort Myers and Randy s Paradise Shrimp on Marco Island. There are 16 HMSHost concessions at RSW, part of a joint venture with minorityowned PJLF Enterprises Inc. HMSHost General Manager Mario Rostran says, We call ourselves the invisible brand because people recognize big names like Starbucks, and don t realize we are making it all happen behind the scenes. HMSHost employs 150 to 250 workers at RSW throughout the year and is not just a business partner they go a step further and support special airport events like the holiday music program, Sounds of the Season, and the LCPA United Way campaign. In addition, HMSHost cares about our community. Each year, with the help of PJLF Enterprises, they donate 100 turkeys to families in need through the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers. They also purchase turkeys for all of their associates to take home for Thanksgiving dinner. To top it off, HMSHost encourages airport employees to give toys to support the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation during the holiday season. HMSHOST (Continued on Page 4) Page 3
HMSHOST (Continued from Page 3) Mario attributes HMSHost s many successes to his employees and is proud of the fact that the majority of management has been promoted from within. We have a fantastic team in place, he says. It s a great feeling to have so many wonderful people representing the company our associates make our customers feel special every day, and our management is strong. The big news from HMSHost is the recent rebranding and refurbishment of the RSW food and beverage concessions, which was completed in December. Every concession at RSW, from Burger King in Concourse B to Casa Bacardi in Concourse D, has received a fresh, updated look and new menu items. In the main terminal, Shula s Bar & Grill opened on Nov. 30, offering patrons an upscale dining option with a menu featuring steaks, seafood and an extensive wine list. We are only the second airport in the U.S. to have a Shula s and we are excited to showcase this famous brand at RSW. In addition, Jose Cuervo Tequileria opened in place of the Starbucks near the East Atrium. Our passengers and meeters and greeters are now able to enjoy tropical drinks and tasty tapas while gazing out the windows at arriving and departing airplanes. HMSHost s commitment to improve the customer experience at RSW with new concepts and offerings for passengers and airport employees has made them an integral part of our success as one of the top 50 airports in the nation for passenger traffic. We are proud to have such an outstanding concession partner at Southwest Florida International Airport, offering quality food and beverages served with a warm smile. Page 4
RSW Statistics RSW Landing Fee (per 1,000 lbs.) $3.00 $2.50 $2.59 $2.66 $2.48 $2.00 DOLLARS $1.50 $1.00 $0.83 $1.39 $0.50 $0.00 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 FISCAL YEAR RSW Cost Per Enplanement $10.00 $8.00 $6.00 $6.44 $7.49 $7.19 $7.04 $6.52 COST $4.00 $2.00 $0.00 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 FISCAL YEAR Page 5
RSW Statistics RSW Passenger Traffic Totals 2007 8,049,676 CALENDAR YEAR. 2008 2009 2010 7,415,958 7,514,316 7,603,845 2011 7,537,745 7,000,000 7,200,000 7,400,000 7,600,000 7,800,000 8,000,000 8,200,000 TOTAL PASSENGERS Page 6