Updated: July 2019

The 2019 San Francisco Fleet Week is coming up October 6-13th. The following article shares a wonderful sales / marketing event that we attended in the past and still talk about to this day! Hopefully, you can pick up a good idea or two for one of your future events.

Getting the Blue Angels to show up at your sales or marketing event is a great way to promote your company and bring in new business. No doubt you’ve been to your fair share of events over the years. And you know that some of them were great while others not so much. As a former independent meeting and event planner for 15 years, I know it’s not easy to host an event, but to do it right and make it a resounding success takes a little more effort. Here’s an example of a successful event.

We attended a fun business cocktail cruise aboard a Hornblower Yacht on San Francisco Bay. Tying the event around the city’s annual Fleet Week Blue Angels Air Show was a brilliant move by Genesys / Interactive Intelligence the company hosting the event. What better way to combine business with pleasure... and wow your customers, prospects and partners. 

Who can argue with cruising on San Francisco Bay on a beautiful hot sunny day - especially during Fleet Week. There we were, in the middle of the bay, with the Blue Angels Air Show taking place right above our heads (as you can see in the above video - be sure to turn up the volume to get the full effect). It was spectacular - the entertainment factor was through the roof (no pun intended)! 

Here’s how the day went

Upon boarding the boat early afternoon, we headed to the open bar for a glass of wine. A nearby table was set up with assorted cheeses, bread and crackers - a nice touch because we didn’t have time to eat lunch beforehand. The 3-hr cruise began with a presentation by the company - and being aboard a boat, we were a captive audience. The event worked… we learned all about the company’s latest voice / cloud technology updates.

Following the presentation, attendees made their way outside on deck to mingle, network, enjoy the amazing views and watch the afternoon air shows. While cruising the bay, we enjoyed a selection of tasty passed hors d’oeuvres - we were really impressed with the Hornblower staff; they were friendly and efficient.

The great thing about being on San Francisco Bay is getting an up-close view of some of the world's most iconic landmarks, including Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Sailing directly under the bridge is quite an experience - even after countless bay cruises, it never gets old.

Of course the highlight of the day was seeing the Blue Angels perform their precision aerial maneuvers and death-defying stunts - for an hour they wowed us all. 

There was swag to take home

Just before docking and disembarking the boat, attendees were given a company t-shirt and a handy multi-pocketed zippered insulated bag. A nice way to end the day :)

So... now you know one of the ways to get the Blue Angels at one of your Sales or Marketing Events. Just schedule a business event to coincide with a Fleet Week Air Show in your city. This event concept also works at restaurant, bar or office locations with outdoor decks and a view of the San Francisco Bay. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to book a location, a private yacht or ferry during this busy time of year. Have FUN!

Feel free to share any of your own experiences and comments below.

Photo / Video credit: Alana and Barry Ross, Ross & Ross International
Blog article:  Alana Ross, VP Marketing and Social Media

More info on SF Fleet Week and the National Blue Angels Schedule

Click here for Blue Angels Show Schedules in other cities 

Click here for More Information and Dates on the Annual San Francisco Fleet Week