News>Committee adjusts ticket prices for Hickam’s 2012 ‘Air Force Ball’
Photos
The 65th Air Force Ball logo sits front and center in royal blue on a gray 100 percent cotton shirt. On the back, the Waikiki beach scene of Diamondhead crater is the backdrop for a pair of tikis, a surfboard and some tiki torches. Shirts are for sale for a cost of $20, where 100 percent of the proceeds go toward helping lower the cost of the ticket to the ball for Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)
The 65th Air Force Ball challenge coin is a tiki coin representing the warrior Airmen stationed in Hawaii with traditional designs. The Hickam tail flash from the C-17's adorns the bottom and the open mouth serves as a bottle opener. The back of the coin honors the 65th Air Force Ball with the logo and theme. At the bottom is a blank engraving bar for these coins to be
personalized. Coins are for sale for a cost of $10, where 100 percent of the proceeds go toward helping lower the cost of the ticket to the ball for Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)
by Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Affairs
8/7/2012 - JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The Air Force Ball committee has adjusted the ticket pricing for the Air Force's 65th birthday celebration as a way to "Say Thank You to an Airman," the overall theme of this year's event, Sept. 14, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.
The Air Force Ball committee re-evaluated the previous ticket price structure and found that Airmen had "sticker shock" when it came to buying a ticket for the Air Force Ball. The new tiered ticket prices steers away from the flat $95 ticket price, toward a price that starts at $30 for lower enlisted Airmen.
The tiered ticket prices are E1-E4/GS3-GS4/cadets - $30; E5-E6/GS5-GS7 - $60; E7-O3/GS8-GS11 - $90; O4-O5/GS12-GS14 - $115; O6/GS-15 and above - $125; O7-O10 - $135. The committee believes the revised ticket price structure enables more junior Airmen to attend the birthday celebration.
"The tiered ticket pricing means people know up front what they are expected to pay," said Lt. Col. Robert Carneal, the Air Force Ball committee president. "This approach means we are actually saying 'thank you' to our Airmen."
Those individuals in the ranks O3 and below who have already paid for their tickets at the original $95 are due an adjustment. For those O4 and above who jumped in on the $95 sticker price, do not have to pay the difference.
The AF Ball Committee still has obligations and per person costs to pay in order to put on this annual event. To meet this demand, they are asking for your help in upcoming fundraising events. The price of the ticket includes meal, commemorative coin, wine and the evening's festivities. For the meal, an island mesclun greens with champagne dressing, duo of seared tarragon scented chicken breasts and lemon garlic roasted shrimp, chocolate ganache cake with dark chocolate Sauce.
"The O4 and higher ticket pricing does ask a little more from our senior ranking Airmen, while making it affordable for our junior members," Carneal said. "This (revised) approach is in line with this year's theme, 'Say Thank You to an Airman.' This annual celebration of our AF heritage should be inclusive of all ranks since it is our Air Force. I hope more Airmen are encouraged to attend."
How to get involved Fundraising by the 2012 Air Force Ball committee and individual units are now underway to help alleviate the cost per person, especially for lower ranking Airmen to attend.
T-Shirts The 65th Air Force Ball logo sits front and center in royal blue on a gray 100 percent cotton shirt. On the back, the Waikiki beach scene of Diamondhead crater is the backdrop for a pair of tikis, a surfboard and some tiki torches. Shirts are for sale for a cost of $20, where 100 percent of the proceeds go toward helping lower the cost of the ticket to the ball for Airmen.
Tiki coin As a useful tool, challenge anyone with this coin and then open the bottle. The tiki coin represents the Hawaiian warrior with the traditional designs. The Hickam tail flash from the C-17's adorns the bottom and the open mouth serves as a bottle opener. The back of the coin honors the 65th Air Force Ball with the logo and theme. At the bottom is a blank engraving bar for these coins to be personalized.
"We wanted to make something that everyone would want to carry in their pocket, not just feel obligated to buy and not be able to use," Carneal said. "The tiki coin hits that mark. It's a great way to say thank you if you want to present it to someone, and has a great usefulness as a bottle opener."
Coins are for sale for a cost of $10. A combination of t-shirt and coin is available for $30. For all sales of coins and t-shirts, 100 percent of the proceeds go toward helping lower the cost of the ticket to the ball for Airmen.
Safe celebrating The Air Force Ball committee has also secured a group rate and blocked off rooms at the Hilton Hawaiian Village specifically for the Air Force Ball. Book a room online booking is available from the Hawaiian Hilton .
Child care Child care is available in two locations for $15. One location is on Hickam Field, the other is onsite at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. For those who wish to take advantage of this service, must provide a flu shot record. For more information, call Master Sgt. Angela Fortenberry at 449-1541 or via e-mail at angela.fortenberry@us.af.mil.
Don't drink and drive The discounted parking rate at Hilton Hawaiian Village is $10 per vehicle for the event. For those who want to ride in comfort can reserve a seat on the Gray Line Hawaii bus, run by Polynesian Adventure Tours. Roundtrip cost per person is $10. Pickup and return drop off will be at the base movie theater parking lot. There is no charge for children riding the bus with their parents for on-site child care at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
"There is much more information soon to follow," said Master Sgt. Gregory Reed, Air Force Ball committee unit representative lead. "We have some fantastic things planned for this year's ball."
For more information, call a unit representative. More information can be obtained as it comes available at http://www.15wing.af.mil/library/airforceball.asp. Like the 65th Air Force Ball on Facebook at 65th Air Force Ball (PACAF).
