April 30, 2007

Mr. Paul Troxell
President
JFK CV 67 Memorial Foundation, Inc.
1011 N.W. 31st Ave.
Pompano Beach, FL  33069

Dear Paul:

As a former Chairman of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau and the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of the USS Midway, I’m happy to share my candid opinions regarding your group’s efforts to secure the USS John F. Kennedy as a museum.

Your plan to bring “Big John” to the downtown waterfront of  Miami, adjacent to the American Airlines Arena, is exactly on point.  Location is VERY important and there is no better location in the country for an aircraft carrier museum to thrive than in the downtown area of Miami.  I have spent a lot of time in the South Florida area, and know the region well, and I am very impressed with your choice of location – it’s a winner!  As you know, one of the primary considerations for the Secretary of the Navy is economic viability when awarding vessels to non-profit foundations through its Ships Donation Program.  The combination of year-round climate, a substantial south Florida population base, significant parking infrastructure, adjacent “Museum Park,” proximity to mass transit, strong destination tourism market, the aura of the Kennedy legacy, and the world’s busiest cruise embarkation port just off your starboard quarter - all make for a winning combination.

It was a pleasure to welcome you aboard the USS Midway in San Diego last week for our annual Volunteer Awards Banquet in honor of the hundreds of volunteers who make the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum such a rousing success.  As you witnessed, the time-intensive and laborious process of acquiring and restoring the Midway as the major attraction along our downtown waterfront has resulted in a “pride-of-ownership” felt most powerfully by those who have worked so tirelessly to make the “Midway Magic” available for all the world to experience.  Her presence along our tourism corridor has resulted in a great sense of civic pride, and has led to record revenues for the businesses along the waterfront on either side.  In addition, the ship is developing a legacy for all Americans that our Carriers are symbols of Liberty, Freedom and Peace.

In its first two years of operation, the San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum welcomed 900,000 visitors per year, hosted special events and dinner parties for up to 4,000 people per night, has welcomed aboard over 30,000 school children for structured educational programs, and most impressively, paid down its entire $10 million in debt, and is on pace to post a significant seven-figure net profit in this, its third year of operation. 

I can think of no reason why your group should not be able to follow directly in our footsteps to a similar or greater success for Miami.  If we can be of any assistance as you proceed to meet with the various stakeholders in your success, please don’t hesitate to be in touch.

Sincerely,

John Hawkins
President
Cloud 9 Shuttle, Inc.
Board & Executive Committee Member – USS Midway

3520 Kurtz St., San Diego CA 92110     858-974-8885      www.cloud9shuttle.com