W Hotel Named Headquarters for 2012 Fort Lauderdale Air Show

This will mark the first time The Thunderbirds – the Air Force's official demonstration team -- has appeared over South Florida in the past five years. Introduced as “America's Airshow,” the event is expected to draw over 500,000 visitors per day on the main event days of Saturday April 28th & Sunday April 29th -- making it one of the largest spectator events in the country.

In addition to the renowned Thunderbirds, Air Show President, Bryan Lilley and his team at B. Lilley Productions have invited an impressive array of military and civilian pilots who fly aircrafts that range from vintage planes to military jets in a two-day celebration of patriotism, daredevil stunts and raw power. They will headline each day's four-hour lineup on Saturday, April 28 – Sunday, April 29, featuring: the Black Diamond Jet Team, the GEICO Skytypers, U.S. Navy Seal Leapfrogs, 2011 Freestyle Aerobatic World Champion Rob Holland, a US Coastguard Search & Rescue demonstration and the 200-plus mile-per-hour Miss Geico race boat, which will take on a few of the planes in a sea-versus-air display of speed and competition.

The festivities will kick off Wednesday night, April 25 when members of the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles parachute onto the outdoor courtyard of W Fort Lauderdale's fifth floor, the highlight of a private, VIP, sponsored event.

The Lauderdale Air Show is known as “America's Air Show” for its patriotic theme and its huge domestic and international draw, with its return engagement expecting to make it the most well attended air shows in the country. To experience the show from the oceanfront W Fort Lauderdale, the contemporary, urban resort is offering a special Early Arrivers Package that grants guests accommodations on Wednesday, April 25th and a VIP invite to the private “Early Arrivers” sponsors' party hosted at W Fort Lauderdale. Special rates are also available for stays booked April 26-April 29, 2012. Minimum night stays may apply; based on availability. Visit www.WFortLauderdaleHotel.com for details.

Special outdoor terrace seating will also be available at Gerber Group's the Living Room and Whiskey Blue, as well at Stephen Starr's STEAK 954. Call 954-414-8200 for details. Guests are responsible for booking viewing reservations at the various venues at W Fort Lauderdale.

Hotel Profile, more photos: W Fort Lauderdale