The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission has selected
Carter Ryley Thomas Public Relations and Marketing Counsel
(CRT) of Richmond, VA, to support the Commission in
encouraging and promoting national and international
commemoration of the centennial of powered flight. CRT will
develop and implement a detailed and wide-ranging plan to
increase awareness of centennial events and the centennial
itself, which will occur on December 17, 2003.

“We were impressed by CRT’s thorough understanding of our
goals for this anniversary celebration,” said Sherry Foster,
executive director of the U.S. Centennial of Flight
Commission. “Their research, their ideas and their
presentation really showed the passion and strengths of CRT.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity,” said CRT President Mark
Raper. “We will be helping share this compelling story of
innovation while capturing imaginations and inspiring future
inventors. We look forward to working hand-in-hand with the
Commission on a project of such magnitude.”

CRT’s outreach plan will focus particularly on reaching
school children in all 50 states and serve as a resource for
organizations promoting the centennial. Work on the three-
year contract, which was awarded to CRT on June 20, began
July 1.

The U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission was set up by
Congress to provide recommendations and advice to the
President, Congress and Federal agencies on the most
effective ways to encourage and promote national and
international commemoration of the centennial of powered
flight. Its six members represent the First Flight Centennial
Foundation of North Carolina; Inventing Flight: Dayton 2003
of Ohio; aeronautical societies, foundations and
organizations outside of Ohio and North Carolina, represented
by the President of the Experimental Aircraft Association;
the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum;
the Federal Aviation Administration; and the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration.

More information on the Commission and the centennial can be
found on the Internet at:

www.centennialofflight.gov

CRT, which also has offices in Los Angeles; Norfolk and
Roanoke, VA; and Charleston, SC, is Virginia’s largest public
relations firm and ranks 31st among the largest independent
agencies in the nation. More information is available at:

www.crtpr.com

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