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May 16, 2007
Mr. Paul Troxell
President
JFK (CV-67) Memorial Foundation, Inc.
1011 N.W. 31st Avenue
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Dear Paul:
It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience meeting with you and Tom Martin recently to discuss your plans to open the USS John F. Kennedy as a museum in Miami. Your plan is well thought out and most importantly, is focused on a business plan versus an emotional dream, as so many ventures of this sort are. Because of the success of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, groups often visit us to discuss their plans to open historical ships as museums. Often times, their well intentioned efforts are focused on a lot of conjecture and the need to “find a home” for their ship. It was refreshing to talk with two successful business executives who understand that profit and loss business models are the most important aspect of bringing a ship like JFK to a city as a museum.
The USS Midway is operating as a successful venture because of our location, our visitor demographics and meticulous attention to our business plan. The fact that you are considering bringing JFK to a similar environment with a robust tourist market and strong demographics will ensure your success. The fact that you are surrounded by the cruise ship industry in a highly visible corridor with ample parking and other infrastructure support is very important. These were some of the same metrics that the Board of Directors for Midway considered, and by insisting that the Midway be berthed with such supporting structure, we have surpassed all Department of Navy goals for success and are rapidly becoming a great asset as a museum, special events center and education facility for our region.
I look forward to observing your progress and I am sure you will give this famous Navy ship the homeport support it needs to succeed. Please do not hesitate to call on me if I can be of any assistance in your quest to keep the JFK legacy alive for future generations to enjoy.
Sincerely,
John “Mac” McLaughlin
President & CEO
USS Midway – San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum
USS Midway Museum 910 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 544-9600 www.midway.org
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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
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