The SCD "Top Gun" team gathers in front of an F-14 Tomcat fighter plane at Supercomputing '95.
Although I missed both the exhibitor reception and the gala opening reception at Supercomputing '95 due to test runs and live demos, and only made a few of the evening activites, I feel safe in claiming that the most impressive vendor reception was the IBM reception (which I did attend). It was held at Miramar Naval Air Station, home of the Navy Fighter Weapons School and best known as "Fightertown USA," where the Tom Cruise movie Top Gun was filmed.The reception was held in an enormous hanger with enough tables, chairs, and food for (easily) 2,000 people, and featured a live band and several large-screen projection systems showing IBM promos and footage from fighter wing cameras. Two FA-18 Hornet fighters, an F-14 Tomcat fighter, an E-2 AWACS plane, and several Marine Corps Blackhawk helos were parked outside for inspection.
The main doors of the hanger faced an active runway, upon which fighters practiced touch-and-go takeoffs and landings (with afterburners) all evening long. Mingling with the guests were naval aviators in flight suits, available to answer any questions.