A just completed survey of ICAS event organizers indicates that air show admission ticket prices have increased significantly since members were last surveyed in the spring of 2008.
Based on the responses of more than 100 event organizers, the average (mean) cost of an adult admission ticket purchased at the gate in 2011 will be $19.07 (vs. $13.98 in 2008). The median price for an adult, on-site ticket will be $20.00. The mean average price for an advanced purchased, adult ticket during the 2011 air show season will be $15.33 (vs. $12.03 in 2008) with a median price of $15.00.
"Based on this survey and anecdotal information that has been coming in during the last eighteen months, it appears that air show event organizers now recognize that admission prices have been too low for many years," says ICAS President John Cudahy. "Average adult ticket prices are now approaching $20 and there are a number of shows charging $25 per day."
By comparison, the average ticket price for an NFL football game in 2010 was $76.47 and a National Hockey League game ticket averaged $54.25. The average cost of a one-day admission ticket to a destination amusement park like Disney or Universal Studios was $72.72 and regional amusement park adult ticket prices were $44.20 per day.
"Even with the recent increase in average ticket prices, air shows are still a bargain as compared to virtually any other entertainment options," says Cudahy.
Ticket prices for seniors and children attending air shows in 2011 have shown similar increases with on-site senior tickets selling for an average of $16.89 in 2011 (vs. $11.74 in 2008) and children's tickets averaging $8.44 this year (vs. $6.10 in 2008).
The complete results of this most recent membership survey will be published in the second quarter issue of Air Shows Magazine.
NEW SMYRNA WELCOMES BIG CROWDS, RAISES BIG BUCKS
For the first time ever, organizers of the New Smyrna Beach Balloon and Skyfest secured an aerobatic box for their event to allow aerobatic performances during their air show on April 9 and 10. Combined with picture-perfect weather, that addition helped attract record crowds to this event on the east coast of central Florida.
The show would have been the fourth show of the season for Kyle and Amanda Franklin. Although their accident in Brownsville, Texas in mid-March kept them from being there, Kyle and Amanda were on the minds of sponsors, volunteers and performers on hand for the traditional Saturday night sponsor appreciation dinner. They raised more than $4,000 for the Kyle and Amanda Fund and issued a challenge for every air show in North America to make a similar effort during their air show weekend this year.
AIR SHOW COMMUNITY PLANS BENEFIT AIR SHOW FOR FRANKLINS
A group of air show professionals have announced their plans for an air show to benefit Kyle and Amanda Franklin. Modeled after a similar air show held in April of 2009 to help defray the medical expenses of Alan Henley, the First Annual Western States Aviation Round-Up and Air Show will be held on August 27 and 28 at the Minden-Tahoe Airport in Minden, Nevada. Air show performers and other air show professionals are already volunteering their services as part of this fundraising effort.
For more information or to learn how you might be able to help with this initiative, contact Bobbi Thompson by cell phone at 239-980-5114 or by e-mail at BThompson@co.douglas.nv.us.
AMANDA UPDATE
Amanda Franklin continues to make slow, but steady progress in her recovery from the injuries she sustained in the March 12 accident in which she and her husband, Kyle, were involved on March 12 in Brownsville, Texas. Although Amanda suffered multiple broken bones, including her neck and back, her burn injuries were the most serious and are the biggest challenge to her ongoing recovery efforts. It now appears that she will be in San Antonio's Brooke Army Medical Center for at least the next several months.
Analysis of the Franklin's Waco biplane suggests a problem with a fuel servo that regulates fuel flow to the aircraft's Pratt & Whitney R-985 engine.
CPSC ISSUES WARNING ON WATER WALKING BALLS
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued a warning to consumers to stop using water walking balls due to the potential risks of suffocation and drowning.
An amusement attraction at many outdoor festivals, including air shows, water walking balls are very large (7 feet or more in diameter) see-through plastic balls. Customers step into the balls and then an air tight zipper is closed behind them. The ball, with the person inside, then rolls around in a pool of water.
The CPSC has found that, because the product has no emergency exit and can be opened only by a person outside of the ball, there is significant risk of injury or death when a person inside the ball experiences distress. The CPSC also found that pre-existing medical conditions, such as heart, lung, or breathing issues, can be made worse by use of this product. CPSC has also said that it does not know of any safe way to use this product. For more information on this CPSC alert, click here.
ICAS IS ON FACEBOOK
Although we are, admittedly, still getting the hang of it, ICAS now has a presence on Facebook. Our new "organization" page has its own page which you can visit by clicking here. We will post news and information to our organization page. And you can be alerted to changes and updates by indicating that you "like" us. We've also uploaded a large number and wide variety of photos from the 2010 and 2009 ICAS Conventions. Have a look and let us know what you think and how we might put the "power of Facebook" to work in helping you or in communicating more effectively with the air show community.
ONBOARD IMAGES RELEASES AIR SHOW AMERICA, VOLUMES 1 AND 2
ICAS member Mark Magin recently wrote to let us know that his company, OnBoard Images, recently released a two-DVD set entitled, "Air Show America." Each disc contains a full hour of dynamic ground to air footage, compelling on-board video images, and professional narration. And each DVD includes a downloadable version of the footage that can be played on iPods, iPads and iPhones. For more information or to buy your own copy of "Air Show America," go online to http://www.airshowamericadvd.com/ or http://www.armedforcesstore.com/.
NAME CHANGE FOR THE COMPANY PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS VALLEYWIDE COMMUNICATIONS
ValleyWide Communications, a long-time ICAS member and convention sponsor, recently changed its name to USA Radio Rentals. You can reach Jim Wojciechowski from USA Radio Rentals by e-mail at jim@usaradiorentals.com or by phone at 480-946-0267.
SWAN SEEKS NEW MEMBERS
Spencer Suderman, the new president of the Southwest Air Show Networking (SWAN) region, has launched a membership drive. And, to demonstrate the value of regional membership, Spencer is encouraging everybody who might be interested to engage in the dialogue going on at http://groups.google.com/group/swan2010. This is a mail-serve dedicated to helping air show professionals address their regional air show concerns. To learn more about SWAN, contact Spencer directly by phone at 818-231-4563 or by e-mail at spencer@spencersuderman.com.
ICAS WELCOMES EARLY CONVENTION SPONSORS
Many thanks to the following organizations that have already committed as sponsors of the 2011 ICAS Convention, December 4-7 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada: American Aerobatics, Inc. - Julie Clark's Smokin' T-34 Mentor; Commemorative Air Force/Tora, Tora, Tora; Jim Peitz Aerosports; Shannon & Luchs Insurance Agency, Inc.; Jacquie B Airshows; Air Boss, Inc. - George Cline; Mach 1 Productions; Team Rocket; Geico Skytypers; Tim Weber Airshows, Inc.; Gordon Bowman Jones; and Aerostars Formation Aerobatic Team.
ICAS still has many attractive sponsorship options available to members interested in increasing their visibility at our industry's most important business meeting. For more information on a convention sponsorship option that might fit your specific needs, contact ICAS headquarters at 703-779-8510.
© International Council of Air Shows, Inc.
750 Miller Drive SE, Suite F-3
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
Phone: 703-779-8510
