Showing their support for Houston’s largest airport, three local chambers of commerce joined forces, this year, to commemorate the 24th annual Bush Intercontinental (IAH) Airport Appreciation Festival. Among the festivities put together by the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce, the Humble Area Chamber of Commerce and the North Houston Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce were aircraft displays, live music, Texas-style cuisine, children’s games and display booths. Participants of the event, which included both local community and business members, visited with the airport’s tenants as they made their way through the Continental Airlines hangar where the festival was held. This facility is located on the airfield side of IAH-

© Houston Airport System Attendees at the 24th annual IAH Airport Appreciation Festival celebrated Houston's largest airport.

- and allowed attendees to see a part of the airport that is usually inaccessible to the general public.

Barbara Thomason, president of the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce, described the event as a token of appreciation to IAH for all the positive economic impact it has had on its neighboring communities and the local region over the last several decades.

The Houston Airport System supports over 151,000 local jobs and generates in excess of $24 billion in positive economic impact for the local region each year.

In the past, the event had only been hosted by the Northwest Chamber of Commerce. This year, however, the two other chambers of commerce also felt motivated by the airport’s positive impact on their communities to participate in the coordination of the festival.

At the IAH Airport Appreciation Festival Luncheon, which was held one day prior to the actual celebration, Rick Vacar, director of the Houston Airport System was recognized as a visionary and a leader in the aviation industry.

“The capital improvements that have been made to IAH under Rick Vacar’s leadership have increased the amount of commerce coming into Houston,” said Thomason about Vacar’s selection.

As a result of the funds raised by the event through ticket sales and various other methods, 10 lucky students were awarded college scholarships.

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