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 Gathering!
The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering will take place in Palmer at the Alaska State Fairgrounds and the Palmer Municipal Airport this year.
The closest lodging can be found in Palmer and Wasilla, but Anchorage is only a 45-minute, scenic drive from the event.
Suggested Lodging and RV rentals
Check back in spring of 2024 for more discount details and information! We suggest the following establishments (prices may vary):
B&B's
There are several options through Airbnb and Vrbo available this year!
Palmer
- Alaska's Harvest B&B - $149-209/ night -3 miles from venue
- 2252 N. Love Drive, Palmer, AK 99645 907-232-878
- Alaska Back Country Cottages - 6.5 miles from venue
- 3901 South Lindsey Cir, Palmer, AK, 99645
- CLICK HERE to reserve
- The Pioneer Motel - 1.8 miles from venue
- 124 West Arctic Ave, Palmer, AK, 99645
- CLICK HERE to reserve
- The Colony Inn Hotel - 2.1 miles from venue
- 325 E Elmwood Ave, Palmer, AK 99645
- 907-745-3330
Wasilla
- Best Western lake Lucille Inn - Get 10% off the per night rate - 14.9 miles from venue
- 1300 West Lake Lucille Drive, Wasilla AK, 99654
- CLICK HERE to reserve
- Grand View Inn – $120.00-145.00 per night – 11.0 miles from venue
- 2900 East Parks Hwy, Wasilla, AK, 99654
- Call (907) 352-1700 to reserve
- Alaska Select Inn Wasilla – Get 10% off the per night rate – 12.4 miles from venue
- 3451 East Palmdale Drive, Wasilla, AK, 99654
- CLICK HERE to reserve
Anchorage
- Courtyard Anchorage Airport - 45 miles from venue
- 4901 Spenard Road Anchorage, AK 99517
- CLICK HERE to reserve
- SpringHill Suites Midtown Anchorage - 41 miles from venue
- 3401 A Street Anchorage, AK 99503
- CLICK HERE to reserve
- The Lakefront Anchorage - 45 miles from venue
- 4800 Spenard Rd, Anchorage, AK 99517
- CLICK HERE to reserve or call (907) 243-2300 and mention Alaska Airmen's Association
- Aloft Anchorage - 43 miles from venue.
- 310 W 36th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99503
- CLICK HERE to reserve or call +1 907-273-3000
Camping or Parking your RV?
Paradise Alaska RV park
Paradise Alaska opens May of 2024 with large sites and pull throughs including electric, water, and sewer.
Please call (907)775-6359 or (907)775-6360 ahead of time to confirm availability and reserve a spot.
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.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact Paradise RV Park at (907)775-6359 or (907)775-6360 or chat with them through their website. HOME | rvpark (paradisealaskarv.wixsite.com).
Great Alaskan Holidays
Great Alaskan Holidays would like to welcome you to this year’s annual Alaska Airmen’s Association Show. They are Alaska’s 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.
EVENT PROMOTION!
- Use Promo Code: COMING SOON
- 4 Night Minimum
- Rent Between May 1, 2024, and May 31, 2024
- Any Class C Floorplan Available (22F, 22M, 25F, 25B, 28F, 31F, 31K, 31H, 32F)
- Nightly Rate* + 0.25 Pay Per Mile Rate
- Nightly Rate* Unlimited Mileage Rate (only available for 6 or more night rentals)
- $50 Free Rental Items Voucher – can use on Rental Items, Prepaid Gas, Prepaid Propane, or CDW
- New Reservations Only made on or after March 16th, 2023
Contact our Reservations Department at (907) 248-7777, option 1, or reserve ONLINE with real-time availability and instant confirmation.
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
Aircraft Spruce Pavilion
8x10 foot standard booths and new Jetsetter booths for those with smaller displays!
NextGen Aviation Activity Center
To be Announced Soon!