LAS VEGAS — The Aviation Nation Foundation (ANF) is partnering with the Nevada Restaurant Association (NvRA) to present A Taste of Freedom during Aviation Nation 2007—the U.S. Air Force’s 60th Anniversary Capstone event scheduled at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 10-11. The event, which will coincide with the Nellis AFB-Las Vegas Air Show, will bring local restaurants onto the base to provide food and beverage services to an estimated 150,000 spectators projected to attend this year’s annual event.

“Las Vegas is known as the ‘entertainment capital of the world’ but the city has also earned a reputation as the new ‘restaurant capital of the world,’ becoming home to some of world’s most renowned chefs and prestigious restaurants,” said Kevin Holley, president of ANF—the organization which assists the U.S. Air Force with planning, promotion and execution of Aviation Nation. “By partnering with the state’s leading business association for the restaurant industry to present A Taste of Freedom, we will showcase local eateries to our hometown. In addition, we will also give back to the community as proceeds will benefit Nellis Airmen and the educational programs of the Nevada Restaurant Association.”

Founded in 1983, the Nevada Restaurant Association comprises more than 5,200 restaurants and foodservice outlets and represents a workforce of 150,000 employees. The NvRA is no stranger to large events, hosting the annual Las Vegas International Restaurant Show as part of “The Show”— the largest beverage and food event in the Western World. The association also co-hosts the annual Epicurean Affair which brings more than 100 restaurants together for an evening of unforgettable culinary and sensory adventure benefiting the educational programs of the Nevada Hospitality and Lodging Association.

“The Nevada Restaurant Association is excited to enter into this new venture with the Aviation Nation Foundation and further enhance the quality of one Las Vegas’ most prestigious community events,” said NvRA President and CEO Paul Hartgen. “Just as Aviation Nation has been on the cutting edge in building the best military air show in America, Las Vegas is on the cutting edge when it comes to hospitality—and amazing foods and beverages are a huge part of that mix. It’s only natural that ANF and the NvRA join forces to take both organizations to the next level and provide those attending ‘America’s Air Show’ with a food and beverage service that is second to none.”

For more information on A Taste of Freedom visit www.AvaitonNation.org or www.NvRestaurants.com. Food and Beverage vendors interested in participating in A Taste of Freedom should contact the Nevada Restaurant Association at (702) 878-2313.

About Aviation Nation Air Show
Aviation Nation is the premier public aviation event of the U.S. Air Force, homecoming show of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the most publicized air show in North America. The event is one of the largest air shows in the world with over 142,000 attendees reported in 2006 and over 150,000 expected in 2007. In 2006, the event was honored by the International Council of Air Shows, receiving the Dick Schram Memorial Community Relations Award—the most-prestigious military air show award in North America.

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