Toppix 2014 – Record Number of Participants Register for SXM Aviation Photography Competition

SIMPSON BAY, St. Maarten (Tuesday, November 11, 2014)

A record 40 participants, including six from abroad, have registered for the SXM Aviation Photography Competition, Toppix 2014, according to organizer and godfather of the contest, Robert (Robbie) Cijntje.

Briefing at SXM Airport for participants of SXM Aviation Photography Competition, Toppix 2014, L-R: Audrey St. Luce-Jack, SXM Business Relations Officer, Kalifa Hickinson, SXM Corporate Communications Specialist, contest organizer Robert (Robbie) Cijntje, and international judge Max Dereta. (SXM photo)

The theme for this year’s competition – “Sint Maarten, The Most Beautiful Approach” – was finally revealed at the briefing for participants held Friday, November 7, 2014 at SXM Airport’s Training Room. Present were organizer Cijntje, international judge Max Dereta, SXM Corporate Communications Specialist, Kalifa Hickinson, and SXM Business Relations Officer, Audrey St. Luce-Jack, all of whom were pleased at the turnout. 

During the briefing, the rules of the competition were outlined and contact information for airport operations and security personnel was provided.

The deadline for registration for the competition was also extended until Wednesday, Nov. 12, after which date no one will be able to register again. The registration form will remain on www.sxmairpor.com/events.php. 

The photos that will be judged must have been taken on St. Maarten between November 7 and November 13, 2014, and can be submitted up until 11:59 PM on November 13. A maximum of three photos per participant is allowed. 

Given the theme of the competition, participants are tasked with capturing the most beautiful approach of an aircraft flying into SXM. In other words, it must be recognizable from the photo that the approach is happening in St. Maarten. 

World renowned photographer Max Dereta who is on the panel of judges, will give a presentation on Wednesday November 12 from 5 – 7 PM at the SXM Airport Training Room where he will be sharing photography tips with the participants.

The prize-giving ceremony where the winner of the competition will be announced will take place on Friday, November 14 at SXM Airport’s East Entrance (under the canopy). A prize of US$2,500 awaits the winner. Six photos (including the winning shot) will also be selected by the judges to be exhibited at the Arrival Hall of SXM Airport for an initial period of four months, with the names and e-mail addresses of the respective photographers attached to them.