MAY 4TH AND MAY 5TH, 2024
exhibitor information
MAY 4TH AND MAY 5TH, 2024
The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering
EXHIBITOR INFORMATION
The first weekend in May every year, Alaskans gather to celebrate aviation and plan for the upcoming flying season by attending the largest free aviation event in the nation. Join us to represent your business in the state with the highest concentration of pilots anywhere in the world!
The event takes place at the Alaska State Fairgrounds just north of Anchorage where exhibitors enjoy top notch booth space, spacious grounds with a 1500ft gravel strip that allows aircraft to land directly on the property, and most exhibitors’ favorite feature: VIP Parking directly outside the exhibitor halls! Larger aircraft join the excitement at the Palmer Municipal Airport less than one mile from the fairgrounds and serviced by free shuttles from Anchorage Trolley Tours. Aerial demonstrations, free discovery flights for kids, and vintage aircraft rides draw the crowds.
“We had a very good first year at the Gathering! We generated a lot of interest in our product. We had a great booth location.” -FlexLT by Worthington (Gold Sponsor)
“The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering was a great experience as always. It was a fantastic opportunity for career pilots and hobbyists alike to interact with the local aviation community.” -Land and Sea Aviation Alaska
“I had more traffic to my booth than ever before. Overall, my experience was wonderful and I'm hoping to be back next year.” -Floats and Fuel Cells
“Then event went very well for us! The exhibit was very well attended, and we received many great inquiries into our products while there.” -Wipaire, Inc (Gold Sponsor)
GETTING THERE - EXHIBITORS
GET TO GAAG
Location
Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy Palmer, AK 99645
Palmer Municipal Airport 905 E. Cope Industrial Way Palmer, AK 99645
Dates
Saturday, May 4th
- 9 AM to 5 PM: The Gathering is open to the public.
Sunday, May 5th
- 10 AM to 5 PM: The Gathering is open to the public.
Alaska State Fairgrounds
Located in the Matanuska Valley, the fairgrounds have over 300 acres of meeting spaces, buildings, and entertainment venues. It is well known for holding the Alaska State Fair, which had almost 300,000 attendees in 2022! The Alaska State Fairgrounds is located in the heart of the fastest growing region in the state! With more space and attendees, the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering will be larger than ever before!
Palmer Municipal Airport
Free shuttle buses to the Warren "Bud" Woods Palmer Municipal Airport, located about 1 mile away from the Alaska State Fairgrounds. Interact with your customers and enjoy the aerial demonstrations at the nicely appointed airport venue with some of the most impressive mountain views of any US airport.
Finding Lodging for the 2024 Gathering -
The 2024 Great Alaska Aviation Gathering will take place in Palmer at the Alaska State Fairgrounds and the Palmer Municipal Airport.
The closest lodging can be found in Palmer and Wasilla, but Anchorage is only a 45-minute, scenic drive from the event.
We suggest the following establishments - prices vary:
Palmer
- Alaska’s Harvest Bed and Breakfast – 3 miles from venue
- 2252 N. Love Drive, Palmer, AK 99645
- Offering a 10% discount to 2024 Great Alaska Aviation Gathering exhibitors (no code needed)
- CLICK HERE or call 907-232-8783 to reserve
- Alaska Backcountry Cottages – 6.5 miles from venue
- 3901 South Lindsey Cir, Palmer, AK, 99645
- Offering a 10% discounted nightly rate, contact info@alaskaairmen.org for discount code
- CLICK HERE or call 907-746-2225 to reserve
- The Pioneer Motel – 1.8 miles from venue
- 124 West Arctic Ave, Palmer, AK, 99645
- Offering a 10% discounted nightly rate for exhibitors booking through May 2nd-6th, contact info@alaskaairmen.org for discount code
- CLICK HERE or call (907)745-3425 to reserve
- Colony Inn – 2.1 miles from venue
- 325 E Elmwood Ave, Palmer, AK 99645
- Offering a 10% discounted nightly rate booking through May 2nd-6th (no code needed)
- CLICK HERE or call 907-745-3330 to reserve
Wasilla
- Best Western Lake Lucille Inn – 14.9 miles from venue
- 1300 West Lake Lucille Drive, Wasilla AK, 99654
- Offering a 10% discounted nightly rate booking through May 2nd-6th (no code needed)
- CLICK HERE or call 907-373-1776 to reserve
- Grand View Inn – 11 miles from venue
- 2900 East Parks Hwy, Wasilla, AK, 99654
- Offering a nightly rate of $190 for a single, $210 for a double.
- CLICK HERE or call 907-352-1700 to reserve
- Alaska's Select Inn Hotel – 12.4 miles from venue
- 3451 East Palmdale Drive, Wasilla, AK, 99654
- Offering a 10% discounted nightly rate
- CLICK HERE or call 907-357-4768 to reserve
- Lakeside Scandinavian Farmhouse – 11.1 miles from venue
- Wasilla Lake, exact location given when booked
- Offering a 10% discounted nightly rate (pre-applied with selected dates)
- CLICK HERE to reserve
Anchorage
- Courtyard Anchorage Airport - 45 miles from venue
- 4901 Spenard Road Anchorage, AK 99517
- Offering a discounted nightly rate
- CLICK HERE to reserve
- SpringHill Suites Midtown Anchorage - 41 miles from venue
- 3401 A Street Anchorage, AK 99503
- Offering a discounted nightly rate
- CLICK HERE to reserve
- Residence Inn Anchorage Midtown - 42 miles from venue
- 1025 35th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99508
- Offering a discounted nightly rate
- CLICK HERE to reserve
- The Lakefront Anchorage - 45 miles from venue
- 4800 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK 99517
- More information coming soon.
- CLICK HERE or call 907-243-2300 to reserve
- Aloft Anchorage - 43 miles from venue
- 310 W 36th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503
- Offering a discounted nightly rate
- CLICK HERE to reserve
Camping or Parking your RV?
- The Springer RV & Campground (previously named Paradise RV Park)
Located at 16199 East Outer Springer Loop Palmer AK 99645 – 1.75 miles from venue
Springer Campground will be taking reservations January 2024 with large sites and pull throughs including electric, water, and sewer. Ranging from $40-60 a night. CLICK HERE to reserve. Contact them HERE or by calling 907-982-7077.
There are RV sites with 20/30/50-amp full hookups. Showers and laundry for $5, free wifi and dumping with a water fill for $10.
- Great Alaskan Holidays
Great Alaskan Holidays is the largest RV rental company, providing comfortable touring and lodging solutions to travelers visiting Alaska from around the world for over 36 years now.
Park it at the show and live in it. Travel through Alaska before the event or extend your stay to take full advantage of an opportunity you may never have again…. tour Alaska in the safety, privacy, and comfort of your own RV rental. CLICK HERE or call 907-248-7777 to reserve.
HOW TO FLY-IN
Fly into the airport, stay for the day, and fly out.
- Navigate to Warren "Bud" Woods Palmer Municipal Airport (PAAQ)
- A Temporary Air Traffic Control tower will be in effect within a 5nm radius of Palmer Airport from 9am-5pm Friday 5/3 -Sunday 5/5.
- Ground crew will be available to direct aircraft to parking.
- Please check all NOTAMs before planning to fly in. Heavy traffic and temporary runway closures should be expected.
Temporary Tower Frequency: TBD
Temporary Ground Control Frequency: TBD
Contact Palmer Flight Service on CTAF: 123.6
CAMP WITH YOUR AIRCRAFT
Fly into the airport, camp Friday and/or Saturday night, and fly out Sunday.
Reserve a campsite (space is limited, and registration is required). Registration link coming soon.
Aircraft camping information
- FREE
- Pre-registration is required
- Tie-down anchors will be provided but you must bring your own rope.
- The camping surface is asphalt.
- Campfires are authorized in provided, fire-marshal-approved pits only. Bring your own firewood.
- Pets are not allowed.
- A dumpster is available on-site.
- Port-o-potties provided (no restrooms)
- No access to water.
- Shuttles into Palmer and the Fairgrounds run throughout the day Saturday and Sunday until 5 PM. There are no shuttles on Friday



