The Chief Pilot and Aviation Specialist for The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Greg Rolle, began his chairmanship of the International Federal Partnership (IFP), at the recent EAA AirVenture 2012.
At the helm of IFP, a prestigious international aviation organization, The Bahamas aviation chief's place aids in strategically positioning The Islands Of The Bahamas to receive maximum visibility within the lucrative general aviation industry, at the AirVenture show, the largest aviation show worldwide. With a group of federal agencies from the United States, Canada and The Bahamas, IFP participates at AirVenture annually in what has come to be known as the International Federal Pavilion. As chairman of this body, The Bahamas' Chief Pilot work closely with the Federal Agencies to ensure that pilots flying to The Bahamas, have all the procedural information required for a hassle free crossing of the US borders.
To mark the beginning of its aviation chief in his historic leadership role as the first non-American to head the IFP, during the recent AirVenture, The Bahamas staged a grand cultural extravaganza that it is said will be the talk of the aviation community for years to come. Many of those in the aviation industry at AirVenture 2012, who were lucky to receive a coveted invite and attended the "Taste Of The Bahamas" function, commented afterwards that the event far exceeded all expectations.
"A Taste Of The Bahamas" included a lavish reception that featured a Bahamian rum punch and numerous seafood hors d'oeuvres. The reception ended with guests being ushered into an elaborately decorated dinner hall, where the main event commenced with the ceremonial parade of The U.S., Bahamas and Canadian Flags. The Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band, entertained with a diverse selection of music from traditional island music to the crooning stylings of Louis Armstrong.
The three course, gourmet, meal, prepared by Bahamian chefs, included queen conch and lobster chowder; plaintain wrapped, pan-seared snapper fillet (imported from The Bahamas) and a guava and mango rum mousse cake with benny tuille, warm sugar banana and mint bread pudding with a peppercorn and sugar Apple syrup. The entertainment continued with costumed Bahamian Junkanoo cultural dancers, who drew guests to the floor to dance the night away.
Dinner guests included aviation media, key aviation executives and members of the International Federal Partnership. The distinguished guests and V.I.P. list included National Transport and Safety Board (NTSB), Deputy Director, Dana Schultze; Bonnie Perkins - Sun N Fun's Executive; EAA International Government Director, Randy Hansen and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Special Agent David Grantham.
Representing The Bahamas Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Obediah H. Wilchcombe, the Under Secretary to The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Charles Albury, greeted guests and invited them to fly down to The Bahamas. Albury also noted that the Bahamas' presence at AirVenture as well as its participation with the International Federal Partnership are clear indications of its interest in expanding business from the general aviation market.

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