Jets Overhead. Lunch for Thousands. Mike Smith Has a Full Plate.
As director of events, Mike Smith keeps food trucks and hospitality clubs ready for thousands of hungry guests at the Florida International Air Show.
A family enjoys lunch at the Florida International Air Show. Photo credit: Steve Lineberry, Florida International Air Show
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — A jet can command everyone’s attention in seconds. So can a hungry family looking for lunch.
At the Florida International Air Show, Mike Smith helps make sure both audiences leave happy.
As director of events for the Nov. 7–8 show at Punta Gorda Airport, Smith has an assignment that comes with plenty of moving parts — and plenty of appetites. From coordinating food trucks to preparing the President’s Club and Buckingham Club, his work helps turn the FIAS Air Show grounds into a welcoming place to spend an entire day.
Think of it as a different kind of air show choreography. Vendors arrive, supplies move into place, meals are prepared and hospitality areas get ready for guests. Every detail needs attention before thousands of spectators come through the gates.
Mike Smith, Director of Events, Florida International Air Show
“You can plan every detail, but when thousands of people decide it’s lunchtime, you’d better be ready,” Smith said. “Our job is to help people relax and enjoy their day. Good food, a welcoming atmosphere and a team that cares — those things become part of the memory, too.”
The President’s Club provides hospitality for sponsors and guests whose support helps make the weekend possible. Nearby, the Buckingham Club pairs show line seating with a catered lunch, chairs and two complimentary beverages.
The Buckingham Club also serves up a connection to the show’s volunteer roots. Named for Gen. Fred Buckingham, a retired U.S. Air Force general, former President of the air show, and longtime air show volunteer, it honors the people whose dedication has helped sustain the event through the years.
Across the grounds, food trucks bring another ingredient to the weekend: the pleasure of choosing lunch with family and friends while aircraft provide the entertainment overhead.
For Smith, the challenge is making all those pieces work together. A successful day means vendors know where to go, hospitality teams have what they need and guests can settle into the fun.
His name may not appear on the flying schedule, but his work touches one of the day’s most anticipated announcements:
“Who’s ready for lunch?”
The nonprofit Florida International Air Show returns Nov. 7–8, 2026, at Punta Gorda Airport. Gates open at 9 a.m. both days. For tickets and information, visit www.floridaairshow.com.
