The Fighter Ace East Coast Convention for 2010 has moved back to Kissimmee, Florida. HG_KenJr, the event founder and organizer decided to bring it back to where it began in order that he can personally set it up and be there to greet attendees.  There will be a new location for the ECC this year.  Still located in “Old Town”, the Seralago Hotel and Suites will be ground zero for the festivities.  For those who have been to the ECC in the past the new location is across the street from the hotel we used in the past.  That means we don’t have to run across the busy street to get to Old Town! Dates for the ECC 2010 are April 14 -18, 2010. There will be no registration fees this year.  I still need everyone who plans to attend to go to the 2010 Event Registration link on the left and fill out the registration form so I can collect contact information and find out how many people plan to attend.  That way I can set up group rates for the dinner Friday night, Fantasy of Flight tickets and the air show tickets.

Room rates for this year will be $42 for double bed non-poolside rooms, $48 for king rooms, $48 for double bed poolside rooms.  There are some two-room suites available for $72 per night.  If they are not listed on the room reservation page set up for us wait a few days and check back.  They will be added in the next few days. There are kids suite rooms available for those bringing families.  The hotel has smoking rooms and pet friendly rooms available upon request, but they are limited to double rooms, non-poolside only.  If you would like a smoking room or a pet friendly room simply add it to the “special request” box section of the online web site for making reservations.  Simply click on this link to go directly there.   Enter your Group Password:  fighterace.

Thanks to the generosity of Mark Vange, owner and creator of Fighter Ace, we will have a meeting room set up on Friday and Saturday night with internet access for computers.  Players can bring systems and set them up and leave them in the room.  The meeting room is in a building by itself and will be locked when we are not there.  Also the office for the hotel security is in the same building.  We will have a private bar in the meeting room both nights and possibly a group dinner of some type on Friday night.  Drinks costs at the private bar will run from $3.25 for domestic beer to $6.25 for premium brand mixed drinks.  A minimum amount of $150.00 must be spent towards the bar to avoid the charge of a bartender fee.  Somehow I don’t think that will be a problem!

If all goes well we will be joined by 6 WWII veterans on Friday night.  They served as B-17 pilots and crew and one P-51 pilot.  I will post a short biography of each of these veterans each month between now and the ECC as I confirm their attendance.

The schedule for the convention is as follows (and is subject to change):

Thursday: Golf Match at Remington Golf Club for those who are interested or Skeet Shooting
Friday: A day at Fantasy of Flight
Saturday: A day at the Sun and Fun Air Show in Lakeland, Florida
Sunday: Free Day

There is no shuttle service from the airport to the hotel.  We are working on some different options but unless you find someone who can pick you up you may have to grab a cab.  As more information or updates become available we will post it here and in the FA forums.  Look forward to seeing you in Florida in 2010!