The people who can afford to fly Talon Air's fleet of private jets generally don't have to ask permission for a day off, so the company created a midweek daytime outing on Thursday, July 26, that brought together some of the finest summertime recreation money can buy: test-drives of Maserati's newest line, a barbecue by star chef David Burke, and a private Pete Sampras-Jim Courier tennis match. For some V.I.P.s, there were heliflight chopper rides out to Republic Airport in Farmingdale, Talon's base and the venue for the event.
"We covered every possible aspect of luxury lifestyle, from flying to driving to eating to recreational athletics," said Jason Kaufman, Talon Air's vIce president and the mind behind the event.According to Kaufman, the goals of the event were to raise money for the Long Island-based Cradle of Aviation Museum, to give something back to clients, and to expose the brand to new fliers (the fleet was on display throughout the day). The day's activities were conceived and developed through a network of relationships.
Kaufman had done an event with Porche in the past and wanted to continue collaborating with a high-end auto brand. "It's a natural synergy with a luxury car company. Anyone who can afford to spend $150,000 on a car can potentially fly with us," he said. His printer, who also works on Maserati's collateral, connected Kaufman with the company's planner, and the co-sponsorship was hatched. For the event, they had a runway at the airport closed and built a test course where guests could drive prototypes of Maserati's Granturismo line. Professional race car drivers were on hand to give driving pointers.
Since David Burke works with Talon Air to provide in-flight meals, he was the first-choice chef for the day's lunch. And since both Sampras and Courier fly Talon (and Talon sponsors Courier), event producer Jed Weinstein brought in a tennis court from the Maryland-based Premier Courts and set up bleachers in the hangar, and the two played a private match for the 300 guests. "It was a way to relive some of the dynamic matches of the past 10 to 15 years," Kaufman said. "The people flying on my jets were glued to the TV when Courier was winning French Opens over [Andre] Agassi."
Talon purposely scheduled the event before August, when so many people travel, and on a Thursday, so attendees could continue east to their summer homes for the weekend. The only downfall was the stock market, which went volatile and prevented many Wall Streeters from attending.
"We covered every possible aspect of luxury lifestyle, from flying to driving to eating to recreational athletics," said Jason Kaufman, Talon Air's vIce president and the mind behind the event.According to Kaufman, the goals of the event were to raise money for the Long Island-based Cradle of Aviation Museum, to give something back to clients, and to expose the brand to new fliers (the fleet was on display throughout the day). The day's activities were conceived and developed through a network of relationships.
Kaufman had done an event with Porche in the past and wanted to continue collaborating with a high-end auto brand. "It's a natural synergy with a luxury car company. Anyone who can afford to spend $150,000 on a car can potentially fly with us," he said. His printer, who also works on Maserati's collateral, connected Kaufman with the company's planner, and the co-sponsorship was hatched. For the event, they had a runway at the airport closed and built a test course where guests could drive prototypes of Maserati's Granturismo line. Professional race car drivers were on hand to give driving pointers.
Since David Burke works with Talon Air to provide in-flight meals, he was the first-choice chef for the day's lunch. And since both Sampras and Courier fly Talon (and Talon sponsors Courier), event producer Jed Weinstein brought in a tennis court from the Maryland-based Premier Courts and set up bleachers in the hangar, and the two played a private match for the 300 guests. "It was a way to relive some of the dynamic matches of the past 10 to 15 years," Kaufman said. "The people flying on my jets were glued to the TV when Courier was winning French Opens over [Andre] Agassi."
Talon purposely scheduled the event before August, when so many people travel, and on a Thursday, so attendees could continue east to their summer homes for the weekend. The only downfall was the stock market, which went volatile and prevented many Wall Streeters from attending.
Pete Sampras, the day's victor.
Photo: Mark Von Holden
Pete Sampras played former rival Jim Courier in a Republic Airport hangar. Sampras won in two sets, 7-5, 7-5.
Photo: Mark Von Holden
Guests drove Maserati cars on a test course along one of the runways.
Photo: Mark Von Holden
The event allowed Talon Air to showcase its fleet of private jets.
Photo: Mark Von Holden
Lunch was a barbecue catered by chef David Burke.
Photo: Mark Von Holden
