June 10, 2002

Imagine the logistical nightmare of transporting almost 6,000 people from every U.S. state and Canadian province to one location within a single day.

In the true spirit of Texas hospitality, dealers arriving at the airport were met by cheery cowgirls holding signs that said "Welcome to the ‘Big D’…follow me!"

Amazingly, Deere pulled off the awesome feat by coordinating with United Airlines to operate 16 different U.S. and Canadian airlines plus private planes and charter flights. The final count had more than 100 scheduled and 60 charter flights involving a total of 100 airplanes (many flew more than one route).

According to Aviation Week & Space Technology, the result was the largest airlift of its type ever attempted.

By nightfall on Monday, August 29, 1960, Deere had orchestrated the arrival of 5,670 dealers and special guests with the precision planning of an advanced military operation. For many, it was their first time flying on a jet.

In addition to the airport arrivals, approximately 1,500 came by ground transportation, such as automobile, bus or railroad. In fact, Deere commissioned a special overnight rail route for many of its employees and spouses coming from Moline.

"All day long the big planes buzzed in and out of Dallas Love Field. They carried passengers from New York and New Dorp (Pa.), from Paris, France and Paris, Ill., from Seattle and Sewanee (Tenn.). When darkness fell on Monday, August 29, 1960, more than 6,000 passengers —the biggest industrial airlift in history—had been safely landed." --- Forbes

Once safely on the ground, departing plane passengers were warmly welcomed by cheery cowgirls.

Thanks to a "hillbilly" musical group, guests even enjoyed entertainment while waiting for their luggage.

It took more than 100 charter buses to shuttle arriving guests from Love Field to 21 different hotels in the downtown Dallas area. More than 3,800 first-class hotel rooms were booked the next few nights as Deere descended upon Dallas.

Go green!

Bob Carlson, son of Vice President and Marketing Manager C.R. Carlson, recalls at least one case of hijinks.

At the time, younger Carlson was vice president and general sales manager of the Syracuse, NY branch. He accompanied his dealers en route to Dallas and reports that some trouble broke out at a refueling stop in Chicago.

Apparently, the plane full of Deere dealers was parked next to an International Harvester corporate jet. Caught up in the moment, the New York dealers plastered the IH plane’s exterior with "New Generation of Power" stickers.

IH executives, predictably, were not amused, and by the time the culprits arrived in Dallas, they were in hot water.