ICAS Fast Facts -- October 22, 2010

CANDIDATES STAND FOR ELECTION TO THE ICAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

In August, the ICAS Nominating Committee recommended four candidates to fill four positions that will become vacant this year on the ICAS Board of Directors. Those nominees were selected in accordance with Section 9, Paragraph B (1) of the ICAS Bylaws.

The Nominating Committee was chaired by Judy Willey from the Oregon International Air Show. The other members of the Nominating Committee were Past ICAS Board Chairman Charles Hutchins from Tora Tora Tora, Past ICAS Board Chairman Harry Wardwell from the California International Air Show, Past Board member and air show performer Sean D. Tucker, and Past Board member and air show announcer Mike Berriochoa.

Section 9, Paragraph B (4) of the ICAS Bylaws requires that the Nominating Committee indicate its recommendations to the ICAS membership. The members that the Nominating Committee recommended to the Board are Stephan Brown from the Commemorative Air Force; Terry Grevious from the Vectren Dayton Air Show; Brigadier General (select) Marcus Jannitto from the Rhode Island Air National Guard; and David Monroe from the Aerostars Formation Aerobatic Team.

Section 9, Paragraph B (2) of the ICAS Bylaws provides members not selected by the Nominating Committee with the opportunity to add their own name to the Board of Directors election ballot by submitting a ballot that contains the signatures of ten (10) ICAS members. This year, three members have used this process to put their names on the ballot: George Cline from Air Boss, Inc.; Dale Drumright from the ICAS Foundation; and Larry Strain from AirPros, Inc.

The election to select the new members of the ICAS Board of Directors will take place on Monday, December 6 and Tuesday, December 7 during the ICAS Convention. Each member organization is entitled to cast one ballot in the ICAS Board of Directors election. For detailed position statements from each of the candidates, click here. To see a sample ballot, click here.

ICAS PROVIDES DETAILS ON EDUCATION PROGRAM

ICAS will conduct one of the most information-packed series of education sessions that it has ever offered in conjunction with the 2010 ICAS Convention, December 5-8 in Las Vegas. In all, more than 100 different speakers will participate in more than 60 different education sessions.  (To see a summary of the entire agenda – including education sessions – for the 2010 ICAS Convention, click here.

"This year, I think the program does a particularly good job at getting at the most important issues with the most qualified speakers," says ICAS President John Cudahy. "There are so many strong sessions that we expect that many convention delegates will be frustrated by their inability to be in two places at one time."

Both prior to and during the convention, ICAS is holding several workshops and seminars on specific topics, including organizing and conducting Air Force open houses; air show operations; event sponsorship; and issues related to air bosses and air bossing. For more information on this series of programs, click here.

For the second year, ICAS will offer several one-hour break-out sessions on Sunday, a day that had previously been reserved principally for the longer workshops and exhibit set-up. "Frankly, our members were asking for more education sessions and the additional programming could not be contained within the traditional three-day schedule," says Cudahy. "So we added a few key sessions on Sunday afternoon that people can attend after traveling to Las Vegas earlier in the day." These break-out sessions begin at 3:30 in the afternoon and include sessions on budget and finance, unraveling the mysteries of the wide-area work flow, making more effective use of your booth on the ICAS Convention exhibit hall floor, using air shows as a tool to recognize military veterans, ticketing, and recent changes to FAA and Transport Canada air show regulations.

Following the keynote address and the convention's first exhibit hall session on Monday morning, ICAS will conduct its first-ever convention-wide safety stand-down. Also on Monday afternoon, ICAS will offer break-out sessions on a wide range of air show-related issues, including forum sessions that discuss requirements for hosting the Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, and single-ship demonstrations from the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. In addition, individual break-out sessions will look at volunteer management, parking and traffic, results of the 2010 ICAS Spectator Survey, air show logistics, cause marketing, and interacting with the corporate world on air show sponsorship issues.

Tuesday morning will feature a large number and wide variety of educational programming, including one-hour sessions on concessions, emergency preparedness and response, social media, event marketing, marketing air shows in the 21st century, getting and keeping a performer sponsorship, hospitality, air show website design, fundraising for small shows, and a sport marketing professional's perspective on sponsorship in the air show business, in addition to information sessions on hosting Canadian military aircraft and performers.

The education portion of the convention program will conclude with a one-hour session on pyrotechnics and other air show special effects, and a series of roundtable-type discussions on air show financial issues, air show policy issues, and "best ideas" from your air show colleagues.

HOST HOTEL LOWERS SLEEPING ROOM RATE TO $99

After some extensive negotiations with ICAS, the host hotel for the 2010 ICAS Convention has agreed to lower the group sleeping room rate to $99 per night.

ICAS members who have already made their reservation within the ICAS block of rooms at a higher price will have their rate automatically adjusted to $99. Anybody who makes a reservation under the ICAS block of rooms during the next few weeks will receive the lower rate.

To make your reservation within the ICAS block at this new and lower rate, click here.

ICAS HIGHLIGHTS SCHEDULE, CONTENT CHANGES TO 2010 CONVENTION

Five changes to the convention schedule/content for you to keep in mind as you make your plans for this year's event:

Important Change #1: As we did in 2009 for the first time, ICAS will hold a series of pre-convention break-out sessions on the afternoon of Sunday, December 5. ICAS advises you to arrive early on Sunday to participate in late afternoon sessions on ticket, budget and finance, regulatory harmonization between the U.S. and Canada, how to make most effective use of your booth in the ICAS exhibit hall, how to use your air show to recognize military veterans, and much more.

Important Change #2: ICAS will hold its first Safety Stand-Down during the 2010 Convention. On the afternoon of Monday, December 6 from 2:00 to 4:15 p.m., ICAS will devote two hours and fifteen minutes to presentations that assess, analyze and de-brief safety-related incidents and accidents during the 2010 air show season. The session will begin with a presentation by Des Barker, a retired general in the South African Air Force and world-recognized air show safety expert. Following Barker's presentation, the group will split into three groups to discuss performer, event organizer and air boss safety issues.

Important Change #3: For the first time ever, ICAS is holding a mini-film festival on two nights during its annual convention. On Monday night, ICAS will show Barnstorming, a new documentary film that looks at the true story of a small group of pilots who land in an Ohio farmer's field, strike up a relationship with the farmer, his family and friends, and then continue to visit and fly an informal air show at the farm each year for more than a decade. On Tuesday night, you'll see Speed and Angels, the engaging, exciting, multiple-award winning, true story of two young Navy officers and how they pursue their childhood dreams of becoming naval aviators.

Important Change #4: On the evening of Monday, December 6, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m., the ICAS Foundation will demonstrate that, "ICAS Has Talent." A fundraiser for all the good work done by the ICAS Foundation, this tightly choreographed, extraordinarily entertaining talent show will leave you awe-struck, laughing in the aisles and thoroughly entertained.

Important Change #5: As we have at the past two conventions, the space draw for the next ICAS Convention will be held on Tuesday evening, after the afternoon exhibit hall session. This year, however, there is a financial incentive for you to participate in the space draw. Booth prices will be increasing for the 2011 ICAS Convention. Exhibitors who reserve and pay for their booth during the Tuesday evening space draw will reserve their space at 2010 prices. Booths reserved after that will be at the new, higher 2011 prices.

REGISTER FOR THE ICAS CONVENTION TODAY

As we move into the last few weeks of the 2010 air show season, the attention of air show professionals throughout North America is turning to the annual ICAS Convention, scheduled this year for December 5, 6, 7 and 8 at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel.

Widely recognized as the air show business community's only "can't miss" meeting of the year, the ICAS Convention has been providing air show professionals with educational programming, networking opportunities and a practical tool for running an air show business since the organization was formed in 1967.

To benefit from discounted registration rates currently being offered, click here to register on-line today. The entire process will take you less than ten minutes.

FOUNDATION SEEKS CONTRIBUTIONS

Cleaning out your hangar or storage area? The ICAS Foundation is searching far and wide to acquire air show memorabilia for the annual Silent Auction at the ICAS Convention and the soon-to-be-launched on-line auction. Mounting and framing of your donations will create lasting memories to decorate a variety of spaces with "historic" air show appeal! Please contact Tom Trinkwalder to discuss your donation at: tom@tntphoto.com or by phone at 734-326-7020.

FOUNDATION TO SHOWCASE ICAS TALENT

In this exciting new addition to the annual ICAS Convention scheduled for the evening of Monday, December 6 during the ICAS Convention at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, the ICAS Foundation will showcase a wide range of ground-based entertainment skills. A fundraiser for all the good work done by the ICAS Foundation, this tightly choreographed, extraordinarily entertaining talent show will leave you awe-struck, laughing in the aisles and thoroughly entertained. Don't miss this new event; it is likely to be a frequent topic of conversation throughout the 2011 air show season. Cash bar available.

INTERESTED IN HOSTING THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN 2011?

The Golden Knights, the U.S. Army's parachute demonstration team, still has several openings on its 2011 air show schedule. If you are interested in hosting the team, please fax (910-396-9307) or e-mail (karen.morrison@usaac.army.mil) a copy of your DD Form 2535. The team's 2011 performance schedule will be announced at the ICAS Convention.

RED ARROWS ESCAPE THE AX

The Red Arrows, the military jet demonstration team of Great Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF), will continue to thrill the public with displays like this despite the cuts in the country's defense budget, according to multiple news reports in Great Britain.

As the British government worked to identify possible targets for massive budget cuts, the Red Arrows were identified early on as a "high pain" option and removed from consideration as a potential area for cuts. Britain's defense minister later identified the team as part of the "nation's fabric. They are a historic part of the armed forces and they are the ambassadors of the British armed forces and the British defense industry." The budget proposals call for cuts of $60 billion/8 percent in the country's military budget over the next four years.

REDDING WINS NATIONAL AWARD

The National Exchange Club – a business-oriented service organization with 22,000 members and 700 member clubs – recently presented its Outstanding Community Service Project Award to the Exchange Club of Redding (California) for its 2009 Exchange Club of Redding Air Show. The 2009 air show featured the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and welcomed a crowd estimated at 36,000 to the Redding Municipal Airport in north central California. The 2009 event raised $85,000 for local charities and pumped more than $1 million into the Redding economy.

VIDEO ILLUSION CREATES STIR

During last week's San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show, a simple fly-by by a United Airlines airline created a small, short-lived controversy, until uninformed speculation was replaced by a little common sense and simple analysis. A video camera's telephoto lens had created the illusion that the Boeing 747 had flown very close to San Francisco's iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Except it didn't. In fact, it wasn't even close. To learn more about this "non-event" and the manner in which the simplest issues can be misinterpreted and blown out of proportion in this age of 60-minute news cycles, click here.

SOUCY TO BE INDUCTED INTO KENTUCKY AVIATION HALL OF FAME

Air show performer and long-time ICAS member Gene Soucy will be inducted into the Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame on November 6 at a ceremony in Lexington. A Kentucky native, Soucy soloed at Louisville's Bowman Field more than 45 years ago. He went on to become one of the greatest aerobatic competition pilots and air show performers of his generation, flying with the legendary Eagles Aerobatic Flight Team for 25 years. More recently, Soucy has been both a solo pilot and the pilot part of the Gene Soucy/Teresa Stokes wingwalking team. Soucy is a past recipient of both the Art Scholl Showmanship Award and the ICAS Sword of Excellence.

SKYTYPERS TO BE FEATURED IN GEICO TELEVISION ADS

In conjunction with local air show event organizers, beginning later this year and throughout the 2011 air show season, Geico will begin running promotional advertising spots that feature the Geico-sponsored Skytypers and will promote upcoming local shows. The ads will feature the team's flying and will include air show dates and locations customized to each city in which the team performs.

NAVY ISSUES INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

The kick-off event for the U.S. Navy's much-anticipated Centennial of Naval Aviation commemorations will take place on February 12, 2011 with an "airborne parade of aircraft spanning a century of flight." The event will take place at NAS North Island in San Diego, California, as part of an open house at the base. The Commander of Naval Air Forces has invited Navy warbird operators to join in this historical review, either in the airborne parade or on the ground as a static display aircraft. For more information, contact Lieutenant Commander Michael Turner (619-767-7306), Major Stefan Maroudi (858-577-4302) or Lieutenant Kevin Albertsen (619-545-1805).

ANDERSON SIGNS MOVIE DEAL

Air show performer and ICAS member Andy Anderson recently reached an agreement with Forbes Films to turn two novels written by Anderson into feature films. In addition to being a member of the "Red Star and the Dragon" air show team, Anderson has published two novels: The Golden Countess and The Eagles Talon.

SPONSORS HELP ADD PIZZAZZ TO YOUR ICAS CONVENTION

For several years, our ICAS Convention sponsors have helped make the event bigger, better and more affordable for all involved. As you participate in this year's big event, please be sure to thank ASB.tv; Air Boss & Consulting International, Inc.; American Aerobatics, Inc.; ExtremeTix Inc./ClicknPrint Tickets; Greg Poe Airshows; Team Chaos Extreme Airshows; FedEx Express; Mike Goulian Airshows; John Klatt Airshows, Inc.; Insurance Technologies & Programs; AirSupport, LLC; Commemorative Air Force/Tora Tora Tora; Shannon & Luchs Insurance Agency, Inc.; Air Boss, Inc. - George Cline; Jim Peitz Aerosports, Inc.; Jacquie B Airshows; Nalls Aviation, Inc.; Mohr Barnstorming; Mach 1 Productions; Team Rocket; Gordon Bowman-Jones; Geico Skytypers; Tim Weber Airshows, Inc.; Rob Holland Ultimate Airshows, LLC; Aerostars Formation Aerobatic Team; Stallion 51 Corp.; Rob Reider, Air Show Announcer; and OnBoard Images.

© International Council of Air Shows, Inc.

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Phone: 703-779-8510

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