The Brad Paisley concert served as a successful inaugural event for the Intrust Bank Arena.

My husband and I attended the inaugural event at Wichita’s Intrust Bank Arena on Saturday evening – the Brad Paisley concert. For those of you who don’t live in Wichita, there was great debate several years ago about building the arena given its downtown location and potential parking issues. I’d venture to say that any former naysayers who attended the concert have changed their minds.

Parking was a breeze. No lines when we walked up to the door 30 minutes before the show. Food and beverage options galore. Great entertainment. And a full house. Perfect Saturday night if you ask me.

What is the first event you plan on attending at the Intrust Bank Arena?

We admit that last year’s everyone-into-the-pool garden party raised the bar pretty high. While no cell phones drowned at this year’s party, we all enjoyed kicking back and relaxing.

Our garden party started off hot, but ended up being a pretty perfect night. There were conversations and laughs. Hula hooping and white-girl dancing. And a gorgeous full moon lighting our pool time. It was the Greteman Group mental-wellness night.

Even though we now have the image of Todd Gimlin in tight, cut-off Daisy Dukes forever burnt into our brains and suffer feelings of inadequacy after seeing Jenny Wiley demonstrate her crazy-good hula-hooping skills, the party just reaffirmed that, despite workday stresses, we really are a close-knit group who genuinely like one another.

Just check out the pictures. Those smiles aren’t fake. Well, maybe the piranha’s is. But no one really likes that guy anyway.

Serving as co-chair of the recent Wichita Aero Club Ball reminded me of my wedding. Countless hours of planning. Meetings with vendors. Analyzing budgets. Determining the menu. Fretting over every detail. Wondering why people refuse to RSVP until the last minute. Waking up in the middle of the night the week before with checklist items running through my head. Then it’s time. The day arrives. When it’s over, you’re completely exhausted. But gratified.

More than 200 members of the aviation community nationwide came together to attend this inaugural event. In addition to an evening of networking, sharing and dancing – attendees had an added incentive: raising funds for workers furloughed by this ongoing, when-will-it-ever-end economic downturn.

Lending a Hand Up
Rather than hosting a black-tie event requiring a major investment in finery, guests were asked to put that money toward silent and live-auction items. And they did. The committee’s hopes of donating $10,000 to United Way of the Plains Laid-Off Workers Fund were more than realized. Dave Franson and I were able to present Pat Hanrahan with a check for $31,800. Thank you, everyone!

Proclaiming Our Legacy
A highlight of the evening for our agency was the chance to premiere plans for Wichita Mid-Continent Airport’s distinctive new terminal. Our team has been working closely with aircraft manufacturers, historians, architects and airport authorities to ensure the integration of aviation themes and displays. When it opens in 2012, people visiting our city will immediately know that they’ve arrived at the Air Capital of the World. We’ll finally have a front door worthy of our heritage.

Keeping Our Eyes on the Skies
Keynote speaker Tom Poberezny, chairman and CEO of the Experimental Aircraft Association, shared the excitement of EAA AirVenture, or as its thousands of enthusiasts call it: Oshkosh. And our very own Mayor Carl Brewer stirred some passions, too, with his welcome assurance to get our message heard in Washington, D.C.

The aviation industry is a vital part of U.S. and global economies. Was there ever any doubt?

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from planning an event?

Maybe it’s the incessant rain. The daily news of yet more layoffs. The friends recently diagnosed with cancer. Whatever the reason, driving by Century II this morning, the sight of tents raised and River Festival banners unfurled filled me with relief and appreciation.

Since moving to Wichita 19 years ago, I’ve made many memories along the riverbanks. I’m like a child (or my Dad, the biggest kid of all) when it comes to fireworks, and the festival has some of the best. But more than anything, this party by the river is a chance to throng to the city core, eastsiders and westsiders meeting in the middle. Checking out the vendors. Listening to music. Seeing what’s new in the food court. Walking. Walking. Walking some more.

The sights and sounds have become familiar. So have the faces. The festival feels like home. And right now, that’s a wonderful, comforting place to be. Hope to see you there.

Get Your Groove On
May 8-16
Click here to check out the River Festival website.

So how about you? What is the one event you can’t miss at RiverFest?

I was lucky enough spend Friday and Saturday at the Mecca of golf – the Masters. From the moment you walk through the turnstile, you see the zenith of event-planner perfection. Abundant metal detectors and security pass-points, minimizing your time in line to mere seconds. Meticulous landscaping and litter-free grounds. Easily accessible bathrooms. Polite, smiling people everywhere.

You pass through the gift shop where you’re tempted to spend your mortgage payment purchasing logoed sweaters, hats and bar glasses so you can walk away with a little piece of Augusta National. And because they want you to buy souvenirs by the armloads, you can overnight your goodies home. They even pack everything up for you – free of charge. They make it easy for you to be bad.

Once you exit and walk out from the shade of the buildings into the sunshine, you see the huge Masters scoreboard. And know that you’ve made it. You’re entering the ground hallowed by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tiger Woods.

Sweating the Details
Even with hundreds of people going through the concession stand at once, we never waited more than two minutes. Apparently the menu has been the same for years. You pick from six sandwiches that come in Masters-green-sealed plastic bags. Each is $2.50 or less. You select from three kinds of beer, pop, sports drink or water. You’re given two chip choices. Two cookie choices. Ice cream bars or moon pies? They keep things simple and focused on the main event: golf.

Clear, ever-present wayfinding makes it impossible to get lost. And restrooms, well, if you’re a woman, you’ve got it made. The men seemed to outnumber the women 3 to 1. For once in my life, I never stood in line or saw long lines at the women’s restrooms. Attendants kept everything sparkling, items stocked and complaints nonexistent.

Experience of a Lifetime
I may be married to a golf instructor, but I have a newfound appreciation for the sport and for putting on a first-class event. I had to leave before the final day (Sunday, April 12) and so didn’t witness Angel Cabrera’s second sudden-death playoff and win over Kenny Perry. Still, I left feeling like I’d been part of history. The entire Masters’ experience had so much hype behind it that I wondered if it would possibly live up to the legend. It did.

What’s the best-run event you’ve ever attended?

Wichita native and aviation legend Clay Lacy entertained a capacity audience in Wichita with a few stories from his long career. Yeah we know. Legend is overused. Tiresome. Sometimes, though, no other description will do. See if you don’t agree.

• The world’s top aerial cinematographer
• Nearly 50,000 flight hours in 50-plus years
• A commercial pilot for more than 40 years
• Type-rated in 30 aircraft, from helicopters to 747s
• One of the first pilots type-rated in Learjets
• Owner of one of the nation’s top jet charter firms
• Pilot for celebrities and presidents
• Still flying at age 75

We could go on. But you get the idea. World-renowned (we resisted the temptation to say “legendary,” but we could make the case) air-to-air photographer Paul Bowen chatted with Lacy for the benefit of an appreciative crowd at Wichita State University, eliciting a number of nuggets from among Lacy’s endless trove of aviation tales.

WSU’s Ulrich Museum of Art brought the two together to discuss the art of aviation as part of an exhibit, “Aircraft: The Jet as Art.” Lacy said when he first was contacted, he wasn’t sure that he knew much about aviation art. But the more he thought about it, he said, the more he realized that, “I think airplanes are art. I think that airplanes in flight – all of them – are absolutely beautiful. I’ve seen more of them in flight than anyone ever, and I still love them.”

Then Lacy showed two short films, one showcasing his air-to-air cinematography and one covering a few highlights of his life in aviation. They erased any doubt about whether airplanes constitute art or whether Lacy is an artist of the first order. Bowen described the complex choreography and precision flying required for one of Lacy’s photo shoots as an aerial ballet. We think that’s a perfect description.

Sonia, who serves on the Ulrich board and knows more than a few aviation luminaries, finds new inspiration each time she hears the words of masters such as Lacy and Bowen. “Aircraft are the perfect expression of function driving elegant form. Clay’s cinematography, like a Paul Bowen photograph, is truly breathtaking. Graceful. Fluid. It’s such a privilege to hear these men in person, talking about their lives and their work. It’s one of the real advantages of living in the Air Capital.”

Do you have a Clay Lacy or Paul Bowen story to share? Thoughts about aircraft as art?

My dad, aviation photographer Paul Bowen, has developed amazing relationships over the years. I recently accompanied him to the Kansas Aviation Museum gala honoring one of his dearest friends: Mort Brown, Aviation 2008 Hall of Fame Inductee. Mort turned 100 this year, which made this honor even more special. During Mort’s years as Cessna’s production-flight-test chief pilot, he released more than 85,000 new aircraft to owners. This man has stories.

Other highlights of the evening included Director Lon Smith sharing what the countless hours of volunteer time from the Wichita community have meant to the museum. Had the museum had to pay for those hours, the costs would be in the millions. Wichita loves its aircraft – and their preservation. It made me proud to see the museum’s new Greteman Group-created identity so prominently displayed throughout the evening and to know that it’s playing a role in the museum’s outreach and growth.

Dave Franson, friend and executive director of the recently launched Wichita Aero Club, kept busy spreading the word about the organization and its plans. Of course seeing Dave talk nonstop is nothing new. I say that with love.

Aviation reporter Molly McMillin was also sharing news. Her’s was about her new blog, the Air Capital Insider, which launched this week. Be sure to check it out.

Keynote speaker Eric Lindbergh, grandson of the first man to fly nonstop across the Atlantic, reminded us of how far we’ve come since 1927. Discussions with leaders from some of the industry’s leading aircraft manufacturers inspired us with new boundary-busting visions. The entire evening made me glad that I make the Air Capital my home.

Photo credit: Wichita Business Journal

Members of Greteman Group joined the thousands who gathered at One Learjet Way on October 25 to celebrate the Year of Learjet finale. The day kicked off with a commemoration ceremony that included a Learjet 24 flyby by renowned pilot and aerial cinematographer Clay Lacy.

If Lacy’s name isn’t familiar to you, his work is. He’s shot scenes for everything from such Hollywood blockbusters as Top Gun and The Right Stuff to airline commercials. That coupled with his other flying experience – air race, alrline, experimental, military, private – has racked up 50,000 flight hours, earning him more time flying a jet than any person worldwide. Oh, and did we mention that he was born and raised in Wichita?

The first Learjet 35, now on permanent display at Bombardier Wichita, made a beautiful backdrop for a ceremony that included words by Mayor Carl Brewer, Bombardier Learjet VP and GM David Coleal and VP John Dieker. Employees who worked on the original Learjet 35 program were recognized onstage.

Eleven Bombardier aircraft made for a stop-you-in-your-tracks static display, while a mockup of the new, all-composite Learjet 85 midsize aircraft had everyone talking. The interior, designed by Wichita’s own Bill Goings and Laurie Cox, includes a sleek black and white cabin with a stunning raw silk headliner. This will be one gorgeous, high-performance jet.

A small evening reception for customers, state officials (including aviation-booster Gov. Kathleen Sibelius) and partners looked ahead to new opportunities while reflecting on all that’s happened since 1963 and that first history-making flight. When the Learjet 23 took to the skies over Wichita, it created a new category of flight. Business aviation. And a new breed of traveler. The jetset.

Sonia had great fun reconnecting with longtime friend Don Grommesh, who helped Bill Lear develop the original Learjet.