Inaugural Festivities Culminate With Airport Celebration and News Conference

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla., May 24, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –Southwest Airlines today celebrated the airline’s new service at Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) with a beach-themed celebration that included plenty of beach balls and local music. Hundreds of Customers and Employees were on hand as Southwest Airlines’ Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO Gary Kelly joined ECP Airport Authority Vice Chairman Bill Cramer and St. Joe CEO Britt Greene in a morning news conference. To see Southwest Airlines’ full ECP schedule or to book a flight to or from ECP, visit southwest.com.

The Dallas-based airline now offers a better way to the beach with a total of eight daily, nonstop, Boeing 737 departures:

Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Nashville (BNA) – two daily flights

Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Houston Hobby (HOU) – two daily flights

Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) – two daily flights

Panama City Beach (ECP) to/from Orlando (MCO) – two daily flights

In addition to the eight daily nonstop flights, Southwest Airlines will offer direct (with a stop but no change of planes) or connecting service to more than 58 destinations from Panama City Beach, including Dallas and Chicago. Southwest Airlines will operate from Gate 3 at the new Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport with approximately 30 Employees who will call the region home.

“Southwest Airlines promises to bring low fares, great Customer Service, and a strong community commitment to the great folks of Northwest Florida,” Kelly said. “Serving this region has been on our wish list for quite some time, and it’s a proud day for Southwest Airlines to finally begin flying to the beautiful Emerald Coast.”

This morning’s press conference capped a weekend full of festivities celebrating the inaugural flights (Southwest officially launched service on Sunday, May 23). The carrier kicked off the weekend by landing the first commercial aircraft at the first U.S. airport to be built in more than a decade. A Southwest Boeing 737 jet was met by a water cannon salute and local Southwest fans and Employees. On Saturday evening, Southwest Airlines hosted the “Tootsies Tweetup,” giving local Customers a chance to mix and mingle with the Social Media-savvy airline and a chance to win roundtrip tickets, at Tootsies, a local establishment. The first Southwest Customers on Sunday morning were serenaded by local band, Todd Sparks and The Shrimpboat Cowboys, and were treated to coffee, a southern breakfast, and beach balls in the Southwest Airlines gate area. Southwest Employees also celebrated the official first day of service by donating volunteer hours with the Florida Trail Association, where they cleared hiking trails and built bridges in Florida Trail’s East Pine Log Trail in Pine Log State Forest. This section of the Florida Trail is about four miles northwest of the northern boundary of the new airport.

To see more details about the carrier’s weekend festivities, visit Southwest’s blog at: www.blogsouthwest.com.

Southwest Airlines now serves seven airports in Florida, and the airline is the largest intra-state carrier, hosting 46 percent of all intra-Florida airline traffic. Southwest began service to Florida in 1996, opening two cities on the same day: Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood and Tampa Bay. Orlando opened on April 7 of the same year. Jacksonville followed in 1997, West Palm Beach in 2001, and Ft. Myers/Naples in 2005. Southwest Airlines honored the State of Florida recently with the unveiling of Florida One, a Boeing 737 emblazoned with an artist’s rendering of the state flag. Click on the following link to see a video of the Florida One aircraft: www.youtube.com.

Southwest Airlines is the nation’s largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded, currently serving 69 cities in 35 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has nearly 35,000 Employees systemwide.

www.southwest.com

SOURCE Southwest Airlines

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If you are unable to click on the link above, please copy and paste the URL below into a web browser

http://www.southwest.com/investor_relations/fs_news_releases.html

Southwest Airlines, Investor Relations Department, 2702 Love Field Drive, Dallas, TX 75235

And of all people we never thought we would run across, Nicole Kidman and her daughter Sunday Rose were in attendance walking around the booths with practically no one recognizing her. But of course we had a feeling it was her and Debi had the chance to say hello to her. She was very gracious and just as beautiful as we imagined( She currently has a home in Nashville she shares with her husband, Country Music Sensation Keith Urban.)

With 2 more days to go, this Southern Women’s Show has certainly lived up to it’s expectations! It just keeps getting bigger and better and we can’t wait!

If you’re in the Nashville area, come see us at the Nashville Convention Center at booth 1040. We’d love to see your smiling faces. And don’t forget to come sign for the 2 FREE Southwest Airline Tickets. The drawing will be held on April 30th,2010 and if you are the winner, we will be contacting you within a 24 hour period of the name being drawn.

Our NEW International Airport opens it’s doors May 23,2010 and we can’t be more excited for this great opportunity for Panama City Beach!

Working the show!

The many visitors enjoying the show!

It’s that time again! The ladies of TravelPCB will be headed to Nashville,TN this week for the Southern Women’s Show at the Nashville Convention Center from April 8-11,2010!

With everything from savvy shopping to creative cooking ideas
healthy lifestyle tips, it’ll certainly be worth the trip!

Plus, you won’t want to miss out on the trendy fashion shows, great celebrity guests, and fabulous prizes.

Check out some of the incredible guests who will be there!

• HOUSE of KAYNE!!
  You are invited to come make yourself at home in the House of Kayne!!! Fashion-forward guests of this year’s Southern Women’s Show will likely recognize Jonathan Kayne from Bravo’s hit TV show Project Runway (season 3). Kayne was one of the top five finalists, and one of his winning challenge designs was worn by the then reigning Miss USA, Tara Conner, when she competed in the Miss Universe Pageant. He now focuses his talents on his amazing love of gowns and has opened the Jonathan Kayne Design Studio. Kayne has found his niche and was featured in the TLC show Gown Crazy during the Summer & Fall seasons of 2009. So grab your seat, sit back & relax in the House of Kayne as we debut his new 2010 collection and some one of a kind classics!Check out Kayne’s new line on the fashion stage at the Southern Women’s Show!
• Check Out the Events Schedule for Daily Appearances.
• White Lily Chef, Dede Fuson
  Dede Fuson will be offering cooking schools at the White Lily Cooking Stage. A Southern native, this University of Tennessee graduate is one of the best bakers in the business. She will be offering tips on how to make the tastiest biscuits for spring.
• Meet Charla Muller!
  Featured on Oprah, the Today Show and The View, author Charla Muller chronicled a transforming year in her marriage in a book called 365 Nights – A Memoir of Intimacy. Charla’s year of intimacy has given this working mom insights into taking life in stride, making family a priority without getting fired, and figuring out how to make dinner magically appear on the table.Charla offers five lessons on how to create intention and balance in both home and work life. See Charla daily on the Herself Stage.  

And don’t forget to stop by the Panama City Beach Tourism Services booth and say hello! We’ll have accommodation giveaways and much more in store for you!

Check out The Southern Women’s Show:Nashville for more information!

The month of April has gotten off to a busy start for Historic St. Andrews!

Check out all the great new adventures coming your way and head on over to Historic St. Andrews today!

The St. Andrews Waterfront Market is making its way again to the St. Andrews Marina.  

The market will be open every Saturday at 8:30am from May to June.  Please download and post a market flyer (click link) and encourage patrons, friends and family to support our market and buy local!  Vendors can download an Application (click link) or call 872-7208.  

Waterfront Market Stamp Cards (front & back shown below) can be picked up from St. Andrews Merchants.  For every 8 stamps at the market, the buyer will receive a “thanks for buying local” gift.

“Grounds for Hounds” Charitable Campaign “ ~ The St. Andrews Coffee House will donate $5.00 (100% of proceeds) to the Humane Society of Bay County for every bag of coffee or stainless steel mug purchased.  Be sure to get to the Coffee House soon to purchase some of the best coffee beans around, grab a cool new mug and support a great local charity in the process!

SHOPPING & SPECIALTY SERVICES:

Completely Pampered, hair salon, day spa and boutique and Heather I. Dixon, LMT  have these special offers until the end of April because you deserve to be pampered…Completely Pampered! MM20284/MA49528

*FREE Hair Cut with any Color or Foil Service 850-872-0930
*FREE Detox Facial Mask with a Herbal or Mineral Mud Wrap Service.  Call 850-774-1199

Located in the Harbor Village Executive Center at 3001 W 10th Street Suite 101A.

Managing Concepts, Inc. ~ New business opened in the Harbor Village Executive Center, with Marilyn Garrett-Fenimore, Concept Manager. When you want to bring your business ideas into reality, call Marilyn for a new marketing approach. Offer for the month of April:Evaluations for businesses in St. Andrews, no service fee for initial visit. Call 850-215-1560.

Come see Juli’s Consignment in a whole new light…Spring dresses and outfits have arrived!  Find designer bags and shoes to match…such as Coach, Etienne Aigner, and more! Call 850-913-0059.

Hectic Eclectic is ready to put some Spring in your step.  Find your favorite records, spring fashion, jewelry, books and more! Come down to find some treasures and save some dough!  Call 850-215-2285.

Two Sisters Custom Designs has a great selection of unique gifts for your friends and family; one of a kind gift baskets are always a hit! Call 850-785-1899.
 
Fiddlestix, gifts and gallery, is constantly receiving new shipments of unique jewelry sure to match any outfit!  Right now all jewelry is 50% off.  Call 850-763-6694.

Azalea Court Vacation Rentals-With the changing of our clocks spring is officially in Historic St. Andrews! Time to think about a “get over winter” vacation and Historic St. Andrews may be the place. Visit Azalea Court online for the latest information and special pricing to stay in these quaint cottages in the heart of Historic St. Andrews.

 
RESTAURANTS/BARS:

Granite Cafe & Star Bar would like to announce that they are now offering dinner specials on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Also on these two nights they are offering $2 well, $2 draft, and $2 bottled beer all night from 4 pm until close.  Remember to save room for one of their fabulous desserts! 

Unique Gift Idea:

Looking for a unique gift for a maritime or history enthusiast? How about a membership in the Friends of the Governor Stone…  The Governor Stone, c. 1877 schooner, is preparing to launch on a route along the Gulf Coast Intracoastal Waterway, and will make stops for various periods of time at ports along the way. The vessel is a National Landmark, owned by the Friends of the Governor Stone, Inc., a non-profit organization that preserves and manages the vessel for public enjoyment.   There are a number of membership levels and opportunities for folks of all ages, skill, or interest. For a membership form and more information, visit www.govstone.com or call 850-763-9816.

Come out and support this exciting new project and be a part of something very cool!

Stop into Paul Brent Gallery for great gifts, home decor and incredible artwork and meet the artist himself!

Hope to see you there!

For more information on the Paul Brent Gallery, check them out online NOW!

Shiver me timbers and call me a pirate! With April starting off with this beautiful weather, what better way to spend your day then adding a few argghh matey’s in your vocabulary!

The Sea Dragon Pirate Ship sets sail on the high seas and you’ve just got to get on board!  It’s fun for the whole family and don’t forget to bring your camera to capture your pirate life!

Yo ho ho ho a pirate’s life for me!

Check out the cruise schedule for the month of April here!

For more information, please check out The Sea Dragon Pirate Ship online now!

And don’t forget to print out your $2 OFF coupon NOW!

Congratulations! You made it to the middle of the week and to celebrate your day, come enjoy a nice bottle of wine for $10 off every bottle of wine on the menu at Carrabba’s Italian Grill tonight!  Every Wednesday night, Carrabba’s likes to thank their customers by offering a plethora of tasteful wines from Coppola Claret to Estancia Pinot Grigio. Come be a wino and you can thank us later!

Don’t forget to print out for your coupon for a FREE appetizer with purchase by clicking here!

Check out Carrabba’s online now for more information or give them a call for reservations: 850.230.4522

Check out the great lineup of entertainment coming to Firefly over the next few weeks!

Sat April 3 Saxophonist Chris Godber in the Library Lounge

 Fri April 9 Massalina Cargo Live in the Library Lounge

 Fri April 16 The Carolinas’s Live in the Library Lounge

Fri April 23 Destin Charity Wine Auction Wine Dinner featuring Groth Winery

 Sat April 24 Chef Paul’s Cooking Class (call for reservations)

Sun May 9 Mother’s Day Brunch

Give them a call for reservations at 850.249.3599(FLYY)

Check them out online today for more information on menu, dining room and a full wine list! http://www.fireflypcb.com

Historic St. Andrews

With Spring in the air, businesses are growing and expanding and some are just beginning!

From The News Herald

ST. ANDREWS — Fresh-from-the-oven pizza steamed on the outside counter as about 35 people — including local business owners and community leaders — gathered Monday on Enzo’s Pizza & Grill’s porch in St. Andrews.

Owner David Hass picked the waterfront, historic community over all other Panama City locations, and his reason was simple enough.

“I like the neighborhood,” Hass said. “It’s up and coming.”

The CRA and Waterfront Partnership held a welcome event for Hass on Monday afternoon to draw attention to the community effort to attract and support business, Community Redevelopment Agency program manager Shawna Beji said.

Enzo’s is the first business to open in St. Andrews this year and among four to open in three months. Last year, eight businesses opened, marking what the community hopes is a trend of growing businesses. More new businesses are opening thanks to community improvements, grants and efforts to recruit specific types of businesses, Beji said.

St. Andrews has been fighting to keep and recruit business for about 10 years, when fishermen relocated from the marina and shops closed up, said Rhonda Barnes, an Economic Development Committee member. When the recession hit, shopping dropped and some businesses that were around four years ago are now gone, Two Sisters owner Charlotte Smith said.

“It’s been a hard two years,” Smith said.

When the Shrimp Boat restaurant opened in late 2008, business owners became more confident in opening a business during the recession, Barnes said.

“I believe it’s been an uphill battle, but we are making some headway,” Barnes said.

Improvements include demolishing dilapidated structures such as mobile homes and other unsound structures. The El Dorado, which has been sitting at the marina and become an eyesore, is about to be hauled away, Barnes said, and The Copa Cabana Hotel is expected to be renovated this year, officials said. The CRA is also busy with new events and beautification.

The CRA also is actively wooing businesses to relocate or expand to St. Andrews. Beji is in talks with a novelty shop she hopes will move to property currently for rent along Beck Avenue. Beji is also touting a grant program that helps new and existing businesses.

“We’re just trying to get the word out about what we can offer people,” Beji said.

The CRA awarded $10,600 in grants last year. So far this year, the board will consider three or four grants in the works, Beji said. Grants are available to new businesses renovating or customizing and to existing businesses.

Although an exact number wasn’t immediately available Monday, Beji said St. Andrews is keeping business. She could think of only two businesses that actually closed last year. Another one consolidated into another shop and two sold but are still open. Those two, The Granite Cafï¿© and Pappy’s Restaurant, now are listed as new businesses.

“We are doing a good job retaining business,” Beji said.

The community isn’t worried about nightlife, such as the adult entertainment club Tan Fannies, impacting business either, Barnes and Beji said. The business stays well-kept and isn’t causing problems.

Hass said he is interested in bringing in new businesses soon. The pizzeria would like to become a franchise eventually, manager Wendy Hackett said. The more businesses that locate to St. Andrews, the better Hass’ business will be, Hass said.

The business community needs to support each other, which is one reason Managing Concepts located in St. Andrews, manager Marilyn Garrett-Fenimore said. Her marketing firm opened Feb. 1.

“I love the area; I think it’s gentrifying,” Garrett-Fenimore said. “I think there’s history (here), yet you can feel the progress in the air.”

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New St. Andrews businesses in 2010

Enzo’s Pizza & Grill, 215-4562, www.enzospizzaandgrill.com

Completely Pampered Salon, Spa & Boutique, 872-0930, www.massage-therapeutic.com

Managing Concepts, 624-4212, www.managingconcepts.com

Discount Computer Sales and Service, at 15th and Beck Ave

Come and spend a day on the World’s Most Beautiful Beaches on Panama City Beach. What better way to spend this beautiful weather than on the sugar white sands and crystal clear water  riding on Jet Skis or Parasailing?

Check out Adventures At Sea where they provide you with non-stop fun from the moment you say go!

From Parasail rides, Jet Ski Tours, Fishing Trips and Banana Boat Rides, you’ll certainly have the ride of your life!

Check them out online today for more information on reservations or give them a call at:850.235.0009

http://www.watersportspc.com