UW-RF Home > Public Affairs Home > This Month's News Releases

Public Affairs

Sun Country Chair to Speak at Business Luncheon

JAN. 21, 2005--The University of Wisconsin-River Falls College of Business and Economics is hosting a luncheon featuring the insights of Sun Country Airlines chairman Robert Daly on Feb. 17 at the Holiday Inn East in St. Paul.

Daly will discuss Sun Country Airlines business model and how the carrier is unique from the majority of the airline industry. Daly will also forecast on the industry's future. Sun Country's hybrid model blends revenue from tour operators along with the sales generated from direct marketing its scheduled flights.

One of the principal investors of the original Sun Country when it operated as a charter service, Daly is a retired Burnsville, Minn. attorney. In April 2002, Daly and others purchased the bankrupt airline's name and assets. In 2002 it posted a loss of $14.2 million.

Sun Country's 2003 revenue was $108.5 million, netting $3.3 million. The company hoped to increase revenue by 39 percent for 2004 and net about $6 million.

Since April 2002, the company has focused marketing efforts on its low-fare, leisure destinations and easy Web-based ticket reservations on www.suncountry.com as well as other sites such as Travelocity.com. In 2002, about 3 to 5 percent of its tickets were sold through the Web, compared with 27 percent in 2003.

The airline has about 550 employees. In 2003, the airline's cost per seat was 6.99 cents per mile, comparable to other low-cost carriers.

The CBE's Third Thursday Luncheon and Speaker Series is especially designed for UW-River Falls alumni, students and others interested in business issues. These periodic luncheons feature timely talks by distinguished business professionals and provide networking opportunities for UW-RF alumni, faculty, students, and business leaders.

A social starts at 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch and speaker Daly at noon. Cost is $20 at the door. Please RSVP by e-mailing lori.clark@uwrf.edu or by calling the College at 715-425-3335.
The Holiday Inn East is located at 2201 Burns Avenue, St. Paul, just south of I-94 and adjacent to 3M international headquarters.

For more information about the College of Business and Economics visit its Web site at http://www.uwrf.edu/cbe.

-30-

Last updated: Saturday, 14-Mar-2009 19:11:43 CDT