Enough Talk: Time to Enjoy all that CJP 2017 Has to Offer!

By CJP Chairman Russell Boyd

Well folks, it’s almost time to make good on all my promises over the past year that the 2017 CJP Convention in Phoenix, AZ would be one for the record books, offering new levels of education, entertainment, and opportunities for Citation pilots and companions to experience the very best of what CJP has to offer to our members.

So… am I nervous?

Nope. Not even a little bit.

As you’ve seen in our email blasts and articles here in “Flight Levels,” CJP 2017 will truly offer a host of new experiences for attendees. We’ve certainly had some wonderful conventions over the years, but for 2017 we’re upping our game on every level. Consider the following:

Our host venue, the Arizona Biltmore, lives up to its billing as the “Jewel of the Desert” with world-class golf, dining and events. Our host FBO, Cutter Aviation at PHX, promises a similarly exclusive experience in accommodating our Citations.

Winslow Life Raft Company will be demonstrating its life rafts at the pool during Wednesday evening’s CJP Welcome Reception. Most of us have rafts onboard our Citations, but how many of us have actually pulled one and seen what happens when it deploys? We’re gonna do that, and you won’t want to miss it!

CJP is pleased to welcome acclaimed chef Guy Fieri back to CJP 2017… but with a new twist! In addition to teaching companions some of his cooking secrets, teams will also compete “Guy’s Grocery Games” covering every aspect of preparing an expertly-crafted meal, from creating the list of supplies, to shopping, to cooking. Guy is making a return appearance to CJP thanks to Textron Aviation.

Textron Aviation will also host its annual party Thursday evening at Scottsdale’s Hangar One, which will include access to the exclusive Red Room car collection and a static display of multiple aircraft.

That’s just a small part of what we have planned this year! We also have a full roster of impressive speakers, exciting presentations, and new opportunities for CJP Members to chat with other Citation pilots and CJP Partners to find answers to their most pressing questions regarding Citation operations, equipment, and services.

Oh, and then there’s my personal favorite: the annual CJP Auction! For this year, the auction promises to be a full-fledged gala event, featuring not only a wonderful dinner and chances to bid on a slew of unique and desirable items, but also headline entertainment with a private concert by country music sensation Jake Owen, who will appear thanks to Textron Aviation!

As for the actual auction, you’ll have the chance to win such experiences as a college football weekend with ESPN College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit; behind the scenes access to a NASCAR racing event, and the chance to see your company logo on the hood of a racecar during an actual race; a VIP night at next year’s Academy of Country Music Awards, hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan; and golf at South Carolina’s famed Sage Valley Golf Club.

(Oh, and keep this to yourself, but rumor has it that “Elvis” and other ‘notable personalities’ will also be making a few appearances throughout the event…)

Of course, I’ve saved the best for last. CJP is bringing you all of this, along with enjoying the company of your fellow Citation pilots in one of the most scenic areas of the country, at LOWER registration prices than last year!

How can you beat this? Well, you can’t… which might make next year’s convention that much more challenging to plan, but we’ll cross that fix when we come to it. For now, I look forward to seeing you next month in Phoenix, for what promises to be a CJP gathering for the ages!