Flight SimCon

6th ANNUAL FLIGHTSIMCON ADDS TO THE 2018 LINEUP Additional sponsors, featured highlights, speakers, and exhibitors get on board DALLAS, TX, USA – FlightSimCon 2018, the original, and largest, annual flight simulation and aviation exposition and conference in the United States, continues to add additional highlights, exhibitors and sponsors to its 2018 lineup. Just added to the event are Wi-Fi sponsor Stay Level Avionix, a second F-16 Fighting Falcon Simulator made from a real F-16 cockpit, a Sabreliner 60 Cockpit used to fly Jack Nicklaus to his record setting win at the 1986 Masters Tournament and speakers Sam Johnson, Sebastian Knoop-Troullier, and Tyler Beals. “We are thrilled to welcome recent additions including Stay Level Avionix, and speakers Sam, Sebastian and Tyler to FlightSimCon this year. Each of these additions bring an extensive amount of information and expertise to attendees. We are excited to have such world-class organizations and captivating speakers bringing their knowledge to share with us all,” says founder Nicole Glander The 6th annual FlightSimCon (FSC) will take place at the Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel in downtown Dallas, Texas on June 23 - 24, 2018. FlightSimCon has expanded in multiple ways after five successful years in Connecticut, including a more centralized location and inclusion of new industries within the aviation community, such as this year’s addition of Cockpit-Fest USA, an annual event for cockpit enthusiasts, with roots dating back to 1999. A dedication to providing an evolving spectrum of speakers and educational seminars will continue to expand the market to reach new aviation audiences, industries, markets and niches. The conference has grown annually since 2013, attracting pilots, students, air traffic controllers, industry professionals, and simulation and aviation enthusiasts of all ages from around the world. Event admission prices for FlightSimCon are $60 ($50 for students) for the all-weekend pass and $30 for a one-day pass ($25 for students) until May 15, 2018. Prices increase after May 15. Guest registration is available. Registration can be made online at FlightSimCon.com. The exhibit and educational components will reside in multiple spaces, both indoors and outdoors, at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas (hotel information below). Registered attendees may obtain hotel rooms at a special rate through the conference website. Updated Sponsors, Technology, Exhibitors and Speakers This year’s partners include exhibiting sponsor Gleim Aviation, a company dedicated to helping aviators pass FAA exams since 1980 through publishing and distributing flight training books, online courses, and flight simulation training software and systems. FlightSimCon is also partnering with exhibiting sponsor Association of Flight Simulator Builders and Instructors (AFSBI), a member-based organization promoting the use of flight simulators and collaboration across developers, builders, users, instructors and their communities, institutions and pertinent government and non-government organizations. Just added, Wi-Fi accessibility throughout the conference will be sponsored by SLAVX.com. Stay Level Avionix offers high quality tabletop flight simulator avionics panels for X-Plane, Prepar3D, and FSX, and are compatible with G1000 by SIMiONIC and Logitech Pro Flight. Stay Level Avionix was founded in 2018 with a focus around enhancing home flight simulation for all aviation enthusiasts, with variable features and multiple budget levels FlightSimCon will feature multiple interactive cockpits on display this year to climb in and take on a test fly, as well as other exhibitors conducting product demonstrations. Recently added are a second F-16 Fighting Falcon Simulator made from a real F-16 cockpit and a Sabreliner 60 Cockpit used to fly Jack Nicklaus to his record setting win at the 1986 Masters Tournament (autographed by the golf legend). These exhibits will join the current fleet of cockpits including the Classic 737-200 Project, a simulator created within a cut-away body of a real Boeing 737-200 series aircraft cockpit; the 17-foot Bell AH-1F Cobra helicopter cockpit converted by Triad Micro Systems into a weapons procedure trainer for the U.S. Army; and the F-16 Fighting Falcon Cockpit Familiarization Trainer from Wright-Patterson AFB with three 50″ LCD screens. The Exhibit Hall will feature hands-on demonstrations, allowing attendees the ability to explore and test their hardware and software products first-hand. The International Virtual Aviation Organisation (IVAO) will also be exhibiting. IVAO is a platform for enthusiasts to enjoy their hobby in a simulated real-world environment, flying or providing air traffic control services since 1998.The Exhibit Hall at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas is more spacious than previous venues, allowing more vendors, communities, and exhibitors to convene in one area. With seminar rooms adjacent to the Exhibit Hall, educational tracts are a mere few steps away. The educational seminars will be hosted by expert speakers with backgrounds in aviation and simulation. This year’s speakers will offer unique insight, tips and techniques for simmers, including benefits of online flying as a tool to maintain flying skills. Other topics will help attendees gain deeper understanding of the aspects of pilot life, building and working with simulators, including X-Plane interfaces, manufacturing for the flight sim industry, and, of course, tales of soaring the skies, in both reality and simulation. Q&A will be offered during sessions. To date, FlightSimCon 2018 has confirmed the following speakers: Newly added to the speaker lineup are Sam Johnson, Sebastian Knoop-Troullier, and Tyler Beals: · Sam Johnson, from IVAO, who will present Flying on an On-Line Aviation Network. Sam will go over all the benefits of flying online and how it will help pilots in real-world aviation training as well as the pros and cons of various sim networks and how to get started on one. · Sebastian Knoop-Troullier is a real-world pilot, currently pursuing his commercial license, and a controller on the VATSIM network in the Houston ARTCC. He is also a long-time user of FSX and Prepar3d, primarily using Boeing aircraft. Sebastian will be speaking on Flying Online on VATSIM and PilotEdge, an introduction to flying online with your flight simulator. He will discuss how to get online, what to expect and even take off on a sample flight online. He will also provide an introduction to the ATOP program (b737.com) for anyone who had always wanted to fly a full motion 737 simulator. · Tyler Beals is an airman in the United States Air Force and Deputy Air Traffic Manager with VATSIM Denver ARTCC. Tyler will discuss the transition from flight simulation enthusiast to real-world air traffic control and how flight sim helped his career. He will discuss common mistakes pilots make pilots make flying with ATC online and how to prevent these errors. FlightSimCon 2018 has confirmed the following additional speakers: · Matt Bailey is an active pilot, X-Plane simulator interface builder and life-long aviation enthusiast. Matt will cover the basics of Arduino microcontrollers, the X-Plane API, and how to make the two talk to each other. The internals of some aircraft instrument types will also be discussed, as well as ways to modify real instruments to make them easier to drive with a PC. · Ethan Hawes is a First Officer on the Embraer 170/75, Pilot Talent Acquisition Team Member for Republic Airlines and an active member of the VATSIM and flight sim community for over 12 years. After obtaining his degree from Purdue University, he spent his early professional career flying car parts, dolphins, and chickens, yes chickens, in the middle of the Mexican mountains at all hours of the night. Ethan will host two seminars at FSC 2018, discussing flight simulator to real world pilot progression, USB to PIC and helping to connect flying tips and techniques used in the real world with the simulator. This information will allow any simmer, no matter how serious, to take their sim game to the next level and have a better overall experience. This session will also help teach workflow and cockpit organization in addition to other handy techniques used on a day to day basis in cockpits all over the world. Ethan will also speak about his new program (FLAP) Future Legacy of Aviation Professionals, that will link community members to current real world professionals in an aviation field or topic they are interested in, provide resources to making the steps into reaching their goals, assisting on following through with that plan, and ultimately offering the opportunity to giving back as a mentor once they have reached their goals. · Bart Waclawik is the owner of Volair Sim, a manufacturer of flight sim chassis systems and an active commercially-rated instrument pilot. Bart’s presentation will focus on examples of using flight simulator as a tool for an active pilot or student to maintain and enhance proficiency for VFR and IFR flying. Bart is an active commercially-rated instrument pilot and an aircraft owner and uses flight simulation to stay sharp and maintain his flying skills. NOTE: At the time of this release, additional sponsors, exhibitors, partners and highlights are currently being finalized and will be announced at FlightSimCon.com, as well as its social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About FlightSimCon - FlightSimCon.com FlightSimCon isan aviation and flight simulation conference designed to bring pilots, air traffic controllers,students, flight simmers, cockpit builders and aviation enthusiasts together in an interactive social setting. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to meet others in the industry and flight sim communities, experience how online flight simulation can benefit student and rated pilots and air traffic controllers and engage with exhibitors and speakers to learn about connecting flight simulation with real world aviation. About the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dallas Located downtown next to the iconic Dallas landmark Reunion Tower, Hyatt Regency Dallas offers accommodations with prime views overlooking downtown Dallas or the Trinity River Greenbelt. The Hyatt Regency, 300 Reunion Boulevard,is a gateway to the best of the city and is within walking distance of many tourist attractions, including Dealey Plaza, the Historic West End and other downtown restaurants and nightlife. The hotel offers contemporary, spacious accommodations, complimentary wi-fi, unique dining, a 24-hour Gym, outdoor swimming pool and a FedEx Office Business Center. Reunion Tower is a 50-stories tall landmark icon with three levels of 360-degree breathtaking panoramic viewing and impeccable dining. The hotel also has direct access to Union Station and easy access to other transportation. To learn more about Dallas visit www.visitdallas.com. Transportation DFW Airport is just 15 miles from the hotel (with a great place to watch planes land and take off at nearby Founders' Plaza) and the convenient general aviation airport, Love Field, is 7 miles away.The Dallas Fort Worth area has one of the largest concentration of training and entertainment flight simulators.Together DFW airport and Dallas Love Field combined are gateways to 74 million passengers annually. About Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport DFW Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the United States, with over 66 million customers annually and over 1850 flights per day. With 173 domestic and 57 international nonstop destinations worldwide, DFW is considered one of the superb airports in the world. Its accessibility is unprecedented due to its flight offerings across 29 domestic and international airlines, 165 gates, 7 runways and central location within the continental U.S. About Dallas Love Field Located 6 miles northwest of downtown Dallas, Texas, Dallas Love Field is the 31st busiest airport in the U.S., with nearly 8 million passenger boardings annually. Dallas Love is a city-owned public airport that is also the corporate headquarters of Southwest Airlines, the nation's largest airline, according to the US Department of Transportation, and the #1 airline in the DOT Consumer Satisfaction Ranking for 22 of the last 26 years. Sponsor, Exhibitor, and Speaker Opportunities are Available. To your reserve space, visit website at www.flightsimcon.com for pricing information, floor layout, and applications. For further inquiry call 860.727.0050 or contact@flightsimcon.com. ###

6th ANNUAL FLIGHTSIMCON PREPARES FOR TAKE OFF Announcing Initial Sponsors, Speakers, Highlights and Exhibitors for 2018 Event DALLAS, TX, USA – February 13, 2018 – FlightSimCon 2018, the original and most successful annual aviation and flight simulation exposition and conference, is proud to announce the first round of sponsors and exhibitors for the 2018 event. The 6th annual FlightSimCon will take place in a new, central location in downtown Dallas, Texas at the Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24, 2018. For the first time, FlightSimCon is being joined by Cockpit-Fest USA, an annual event for cockpit enthusiasts with roots dating back to 1999. After five successful years in Connecticut, FlightSimCon has expanded to a new, more centralized location in Dallas, Texas. Over the previous five years the conference has grown annually since 2013. FlightSimCon is for all ages, and is the largest flight simulation and aviation conference held in the United States, attracting pilots, students, air traffic controllers, industry professionals, and simulation and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. “Increasing the breadth and scope of FlightSimCon to include new locations, industries and markets has been the goal of FSC since its 2013 inception,” says founder Nicole Glander In addition to a new, more centralized location, The Exhibit Hall at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas is more spacious than previous venues, allowing more vendors, communities, and exhibitors to convene in one area. With seminar rooms adjacent to the Exhibit Hall, educational tracts are a mere few steps away. An overnight room block at the Hyatt Regency has been secured and can be reserved through the FlightSimCon.com website. Hotel information is included below.Event admission prices for FlightSimCon are $60 ($50 for students) for the all-weekend pass and $30 for a one-day pass ($25 for students) until May 15, 2018. Prices increase after May 15. Guest registration is available. Register now on-line at FlightSimCon.com. Sponsors, Speakers, Exhibitors and Highlights: One differentiating aspect of FlightSimCon is its dedication to providing an evolving spectrum of speakers and educational seminars that will continue to expand the market to reach new industries, markets and niches within the aviation community. FlightSimCon is pleased to be partnered with top-tier sponsor, Gleim Aviation, a company dedicated to helping aviators pass FAA exams since 1980 through publishing and distributing flight training books, online courses, and flight simulation training software and systems. Additional sponsors include: Association of Flight Simulator Builders and Instructors (AFSBI), a member-based organization promoting the use of flight simulators and collaboration across developers, builders, users, instructors and their communities, institutions and pertinent government and non-government organizations). "After five successful years, FlightSimCon has become much more than just an exposition or trade show. The 2018 conference has become a holistic experience of aviation enthusiasts, from simulators to aircraft industry professionals, as well as the next generation of pilots and aviators," according to Edward Main, First Communications Officer for FlightSimCon. Speakers will offer unique insights into multiple aspects of pilot life, building and working with simulators, including X-Plane interfaces, manufacturing for the flight sim industry as well as tales of soaring the skies in both reality and simulation. To date, FlightSimCon 2018 has confirmed the following speakers: Matt Bailey is an active pilot, X-Plane simulator interface builder and life-long aviation enthusiast. Matt will cover the basics of Arduino microcontrollers, the X-Plane API, and how to make the two talk to each other. The internals of some aircraft instrument types will also be discussed, as well as ways to modify real instruments to make them easier to drive with a PC. Ethan Hawes is a First Officer on the Embrear 170/75 and Pilot Talent Acquisition Team Member for Republic Airlines. Ethan is launching a new program, (FLAP) Future Legacy of Aviation Professionals, that will link community members to current real world professionals in an aviation field or topic they are interested in. Ethan will also talk about flight simulator to real world pilot progression.Bart Waclawik is the owner of Volair Sim, a manufacturer of flight sim chassis systems and an active commercially-rated instrument pilot. Bart’s presentation will focus on examples of using flight simulator as a tool for an active pilot or student to maintain and enhance proficiency for VFR and IFR flying. Exhibit Hall will feature hands-on demonstrations, allowing attendees the ability to explore and test their hardware and software products first-hand.the International Virtual Aviation Organisation (IVAO), a platform for enthusiasts to enjoy their hobby in a simulated real-world environment, flying or providing air traffic control services since 1998. The Classic 737-200 Project, a simulator created within a cut-away body of a real Boeing 737-200 series aircraft cockpit, a 17-foot Bell AH-1F Cobra helicopter cockpit converted by Triad Micro Systems into a weapons procedure trainer for the U.S. Army; a F-16 “Fighting Falcon” Cockpit Familiarization Trainer from Wright-Patterson AFB with three 50″ LCD screens and more to come. NOTE: At the time of this release,additional sponsors, exhibitors, partners and highlights are currently being finalized and will be announced at FlightSimCon.com, as well as its social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. About FlightSimCon (FlightSimCon.com – FSC on Facebook - @FltSimCon - @FlightSimCon) Flight Sim Con isan aviation and flight simulation conference designed to bring pilots, air traffic controllers,students, flight simmers, cockpit builders and aviation enthusiasts together in an interactive social setting. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to meet others in the industry and flight sim communities, experience how online flight simulation can benefit student and rated pilots and air traffic controllers, and engage with exhibitors and speakers to learn about connecting flight simulation with real world aviation. About the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dallas Located downtown next to the iconic Dallas landmark Reunion Tower, Hyatt Regency Dallas offers accommodations with prime views overlooking downtown Dallas or the Trinity River Greenbelt. The Hyatt Regency, 300 Reunion Boulevard,is a gateway to the best of the city and is within walking distance of many tourist attractions, including Dealey Plaza, the Historic West End and other downtown restaurants and nightlife. The hotel offers contemporary, spacious accommodations, complimentary wi-fi, unique dining, a 24-hour Gym, outdoor swimming pool and a FedEx Office Business Center. Reunion Tower is a 50-stories tall landmark icon with three levels of 360-degree breathtaking panoramic viewing and impeccable dining. The hotel also has direct access to Union Station and easy access to other transportation. To learn more about Dallas see www.visitdallas.com. Transportation DFW Airport is just 15 miles from the hotel (with a great place to watch planes land and take off at nearby Founders' Plaza) and the convenient general aviation airport, Love Field, is 7 miles away.The Dallas Fort Worth area has one of the largest concentration of training and entertainment flight simulators.Together DFW airport and Dallas Love Field combined are gateways to 74 million passengers annually. About Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport DFW Airport is the fourth busiest airport in the United States, with over 66 million customers annually and over 1850 flights per day. With 173 domestic and 57 international nonstop destinations worldwide, DFW is considered one of the superb airports in the world. Its accessibility is unprecedented due to its flight offerings across 29 domestic and international airlines, 165 gates, 7 runways and central location within the continental US. DFW covers more than 26.9 square miles, larger than the size of Manhattan. Source: DFWairport.com About Dallas Love Field Located 6 miles northwest of downtown Dallas, Texas, Dallas Love Field is the 31st busiest airport in the US, with nearly 8 million passenger boardings annually. Dallas Love is a city-owned public airport that is also the corporate headquarters of Southwest Airlines, the nation's largest airline, according to the US Department of Transportation, and the #1 airline in the DOT Consumer Satisfaction Ranking for 22 of the last 26 years. Sponsor, Exhibitor, and Speaker Opportunities are Available. To your reserve space, visit website at www.flightsimcon.com for pricing information, floor layout, and applications. For further inquiry call 860.727.0050 or contact@flightsimcon.com. ###

DALLAS, TX, USA – February 16, 2018 ("F-16 "day) –FlightSimCon 2018, the original and most successful annual aviation and flight simulation exposition and conference, is proud to announce its newest addition to the 2018 lineup, a F-16 “Fighting Falcon” Cockpit Familiarization Trainer from Wright-Patterson AFB. The simulator has three 50″ LCD screens and available to attendees to take on test flights. The F-16 has proven itself during years of continuous service with the U.S. Air Force and coalition forces with more than 400,000 sorties flown. This sim real Air Force F-16 procedure trainer has been converted into a high-tech simulator and interactive experience, allowing “pilots” to discover the unique history and capabilities of the F-16 aircraft. Simulator pilots will feel the g-force of an F-16 as they suit up in a real anti-g suit that is integrated into the uniquely designed cockpit. The simulator gives users the opportunity to experience what it is like to strap into one of the world’s most capable 4th generation multi-role fighters available today. The 6th annual FlightSimCon will take place in downtown Dallas, Texas, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24, 2018. For the first time, FlightSimCon is being joined by Cockpit-Fest USA, an annual event for cockpit enthusiasts with roots dating back to 1999. One differentiating aspect of FlightSimCon is its dedication to providing an evolving spectrum of exhibits, speakers and educational seminars that will continue to expand the market to reach new industries, markets and niches within the aviation community. Event admission prices for FlightSimCon are $60 ($50 for students) for the all-weekend pass and $30 for a one-day pass ($25 for students) until May 15, 2018, when prices increase. Attendees can register at FlightSimCon.com. About FlightSimCon (www.FlightSimCon.com) Flight Sim Con is an aviation and flight simulation conference designed to bring pilots, air traffic controllers, students, flight simmers, cockpit builders, professionals, and aviation enthusiasts together in an interactive social setting. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to meet others in the industry and flight sim communities, experience how online flight simulation can benefit student and rated pilots and air traffic controllers and engage with exhibitors and speakers to learn about connecting flight simulation with real world aviation. ###

Hi Bill, Are you still an online flight simmer?

Evan, Phil and Tom, What city do you have planned for 2019? Las Vegas again? Or what city?

Where do you want to go in 2019?!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXPIRES ON JANUARY 31 DALLAS, TX, USA – January 25, 2018 –With only one week left in the Early Bird Registration period, the opportunity to save up to 25% off the 6th annual FlightSimCon, located in Dallas, Texas, from June 23-24, is making its final approach, so to speak. Prices will remain the same as last year at $50 ($40 for students) for an all-weekend pass and $25 for a daily pass ($20 for students) until the end of the day on January 31, 2018. Beginning February 1 through May 15, 2018, prices increase to $60 ($50 for students) for the all-weekend pass and $30 for a one-day pass ($25 for students). Students please bring and show your ID on-site when youcheck-inatthe event registration booth.To register go to FlightSimCon.com and click “register” The 6th annual FlightSimCon will take place in downtown Dallas, Texas at the Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, June 24, 2018. For the first time, FlightSimCon is being joined by Cockpit-Fest USA, an annual event for cockpit enthusiasts with roots dating back to 1999. “Increasing the breadth and scope of FlightSimCon to include new locations, industries and markets has been the goal of FSC since its 2013 inception,” says founder Nicole Glander The Exhibit Hall at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas is more spacious than previous venues, allowing more vendors, communities, and exhibitors to convene in one area. With seminar rooms adjacent to the Exhibit Hall, educational tracts are a mere few steps away. For convenience, there is a link to an overnight room block at FlightSimCon.com , giving attendees the ability to stay at the host hotel. Hotel information is included below. Convenient advanced on-site event check-in will be available on Friday if desired. About FlightSimCon (www.FlightSimCon.com – FSC on Facebook - @FltSimCon on Twitter) Flight Sim Con isan aviation and flight simulation conference designed to bring pilots, air traffic controllers, flight simmers, cockpit builders and aviation enthusiasts together in an interactive social setting. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to meet others in the industry and flight sim communities, experience how online flight simulation can benefit student and rated pilots and air traffic controllers, and engage with exhibitors and speakers to learn about connecting flight simulation with real world aviation. The conference has grown every year since its inception in 2013. About the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dallas Located downtown next to the iconic Dallas landmark Reunion Tower, Hyatt Regency Dallas offers accommodations with prime views overlooking downtown Dallas or the Trinity River Greenbelt. The Hyatt Regency is a gateway to the best of the city and is within walking distance of many tourist attractions, including Dealey Plaza, the Historic West End and other downtown restaurants and nightlife. The hotel offers contemporary, spacious accommodations, complimentary wi-fi, unique dining, a 24-hour Gym, outdoor swimming pool and a FedEx Office Business Center. Reunion Tower is a 50-stories tall landmark icon with three levels of 360-degree breathtaking panoramic viewing and impeccable dining. The hotel also has direct access to Union Station and easy access to other transportation. visitdallas.com. Transportation DFW Airport is just 15 miles from the hotel (with a great place to watch planes land and take off at nearby Founders' Plaza) and the convenient general aviation airport, Love Field, is 7 miles away.The Dallas Fort Worth area has one of the largest concentration of training and entertainment flight simulators. ###

Hi guys, Nicole here. As the wife of a hobby flight simmer and aviation enthusiast, I heard my husband on-line interacting with other flight simmers and having fun for many years. I was truly amazed me at how nice everyone sounded. I thought what a great group of people! After a few years I thought to ask my husband if he had ever met any of those people - other simmers and enthusiasts? When he said "no", I asked if there was a flight sim event in the US for everyone to meet? Again, the answer again was "no". So as an event manager I thought it would be great to hold an event in the U.S. It would a wonderful and fantastic opportunity for all these folks to finally meet in person. I live in CT, a state full of aviation history and industry. Pratt and Whitney is here, Hamilton Standard is here... so what better place to start! But then eventually continue to other aviation locations. Over the years I have had plenty of requests to take the show on the road. And it's always been the plan to do so. Since starting this event - entirely on my own dime in 2013 - and building this foundation, over time we would be ready for the East coast, West coast, back and forth, and in between. I also did plenty of my own research for the dates for the event. Since 2014, FSC was always held the weekend before Father's Day. I didn't use those dates this year because I became aware in the Fall that "we all know who" took my June dates for Las Vegas. Our FSC Dallas June 23 & 24 dates are just fine though. Anyway, I know this has been hard on everyone. It's sad that it has to be this way. But I've said my peace. It's time now to continue moving forward on a fun and successful FSC 2018. Come join us! Thank to all our great and wonderful friends and supporters out there. I see your comments in the forums, and I thank you, Nicole, FSC Event Co-Founder and Organizer

Dear Bill, Your question triggered a much wider response than you might have anticipated. A few weeks ago, I asked FSElite to investigate this very question, and we’ve been silent on the matter while the article (https://fselite.net/originals/fselite-original-two-north-america-flight-sim-shows-2018/) was being prepared. I want to thank Calum from FSElite for his hard work, I know this was not an easy task. But we do believe there’s more to the story than was described in the article. As Co-Founder of FlightSimCon, and the original designer of this whole damn thing, I’d to share a point of view that may not have across in Calum’s writings. I’m just going to call it as I see it and let the public decide. FSElite describes the developers meeting held at a local pub, where John from Orbix mentioned that Vegas would be a good place for next year’s event. Others became excited about that idea, and the hotel was abuzz with it that evening. We believe that to be true. However, our point of view is the Vegas idea should have been brought to the table with all stakeholders and discussed. That never occurred. Instead it appears that Evan and Phil became emboldened by financial commitments from Orbx and others, and decided they would form a new competing event. In the process they would take the top sponsors of FlightSimCon with them. This happened relatively quickly. Emails found in Evan and Phil’s FlightSimCon email archives confirm they were discussing forming a new LLC mere days after the closing of the 2017 event. While it’s their right to form a new event, we also believe these actions smack of poaching. We’re disappointed that the FSElite article failed to discuss this. So, what is poaching? You can look it up if you like. But in a business sense if a partner leaves to start a new competing company, that’s fine. But if they also take the best clients of their previous firm with them, that’s poaching. And it’s highly unethical. Our view is that Evan and Phil used their position at FlightSimCon to redirect opportunities and resources for themselves that ethically should have been brought forth and evaluated fully first for FlightSimCon. As referenced in the FSElite article, a follow up email from John from Orbx says they would be withdrawing their support if the event were not moved to Vegas. While we had some trepidation about Vegas, at no point was Vegas ever removed from consideration. It was being considered along with Los Angeles, Dallas, Denver, NYC and others. I personally had many conversations with participants at last year’s event that new markets were being explored. Anyone I had talked with knew the event would go on the road for 2018. Nicole responded to John’s email on Aug 3 saying that “We’re still exploring all fantastic options and we’ll keep in touch in the coming weeks”. Evan and Phil were copied on this email. Still, Evan and Phil claim to have no reason to believe that moving the event would happen. But neither did they investigate or participate in a dialog about it either. It seems at this point they had already decided they would go on their own. The FSElite article quotes from the August 29 email sent to Nicole suggesting Evan and Phil were ready to take a greater role in managing the event. FSElite seems to view this as relatively benign. We see it differently. We see it as a takeover bid of an asset they had no rights to. From our point of view, Evan and Phil didn’t ask for control of FlightSimCon, they demanded it. They did nothing less than attempt to dismiss Nicole from the very event she founded, wholly owned, and built from nothing. They acted as if their contributions to the event now entitled them to serve as its directors. We don’t dispute the leadership and support provided from the BVA team was fantastic. But they did so first as enthusiastic volunteers, and then with a written agreement. That makes this a business relationship - with all the ethics and responsibilities that go along with it. Some may say it’s good to have BVA taking the lead on FSExpo. But surveys received from participants at FlightSimCon might suggest otherwise. Some responses described too much BVA presence at past events. They would have liked to have seen other communities represented more. As an event now fully operated by BVA, opportunities for community diversity seems daunting at FSExpo. Some might say “haven’t we all had enough BVA already?” Nicole and her company Glander Associates Event Management, has more than 25 years of event management experience - including working in Vegas. She and her team have handled corporate events there spanning ten days at multiple locations. To suggest an event company with more experience in Vegas was needed is absurd. The fact is, Vegas is a difficult environment. While conference space itself is often cheap or free, they get you everywhere else. Attendees will likely end up paying a premium for food, beverages, rooms, transportation, entertainment, and of course the constant allure of gambling and strippers. Attendee’s at FSExpo may want to budget $1000 before they’ve even gotten off the plane. While that may be OK for the single millennials represented by the BVA team, for a budget conscious family or individual, Vegas may be a poor choice. In fact, I’ll go so far as to question why they wanted to move the event there in the first place. Is it really because that’s the strongest market? Stronger than any other metro area? Or is it because they wanted to party. Not that there’s anything fundamentally wrong with that, and certainly everyone is entitled to a good party. But to take over the event and eject Nicole because of it? The person that started this whole freight train with nothing but guts, heart, and verve? Nicole only wanted to create a really cool event for the community, and she took heavy losses to do so. But then as the event starts to turn a profit, it’s poached away? That’s disgraceful. No, that’s disgusting. We believe the story to be that (1) it was clear the event needed to move and that was communicated, (2) Vegas was never removed from consideration, (3) Orbx was holding the event hostage by insisting on Vegas, (4) Nicole announced a location would be determined soon, but (5) Evan, Phil had already made other plans. In the end, they didn’t want a discussion about where the event would be held. They wanted control. They had already decided. It’s our point of view that Evan and Phil directed valuable business contacts and opportunities to themselves. They used their position at FlightSimCon to undermine FlightSimCon. In any business environment, that would clearly be considered poaching. Plus, it’s just plain wrong. Some might say “its just business”. Really? Is that how you conduct your business? So yes, we believe a power - - and probably - - profit grab. For us, we believe doing the right things with good people leads to positive outcomes. Nicole didn’t put a non-compete in her contract based on that very belief. She trusted these people. She believed that people are essentially good and have ethical intentions at heart. An ethical person might have honored the traditional 1 year non-compete found in these sorts of agreements whether it was in the contract or not. For years we believed that Evan and Phil were friends and trusted allies. It now appears that trust was misplaced. FlightSimCon is moving forward with the event in Dallas on June 23 & 24, 2018. We’ll welcome any exhibitors, speakers, attendee’s, communities and participants that want to join in. We’re excited to work with the DFW ARTCC community to deliver a fantastic experience. With a great location on deck, we’re building a slate of simpit builders, speakers, educators, and exhibitors designed to appeal to the family oriented and STEM focused market. For those ready for something different, we invite you visit us in Dallas. You’ll find a new and refreshing lineup suitable for enthusiasts and pilots of all ages everywhere. Warm regards, Chuck. FlightSimCon Co-Founder