Sun 'n Fun Fly-in was founded in 1974 by members of the Experimental Aircraft Association Lakeland Chapter 454, the Florida Sport Aviation Antique and Classic Association, and the Southeast Sport Aviation Council. On January 24-26, 1975, the group hosted a regional airplane fly-in convention called the Mid-Winter Sun 'n Fun, with 498 registered aircraft representing 63 EAA chapters across 40 states and 3 Canadian provinces. On December 8, 1975, the founders incorporated as the Southeast EAA Regional Fly-In Inc., although they remained known as Sun 'n Fun Fly-in. In 1976, Sun 'n Fun and the City of Lakeland reached an agreement to develop the southwest side of the Lakeland municipal airport for future fly-ins. The first fly-in at the new site ran from January 17-23, 1977, and was open to the public. Its legacy continues through the Aerospace Center for Excellence and the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. The officers named in the original Articles of Incorporation were Martin Jones, president; Ray Anderson, vice president; James Dantzman, secretary; W.D. "Duffy" Thompson, treasurer; and Billy M. Henderson, fly-in director. The original board of directors were Bill Ehlen, Ed Escallon, Bob White, M.T. Clark, Grahame Gates, Bob Hardy, Leonard McGinty, Freddie Quinn, Rocky Sawyer, and Steve Woods.