ICAS Academy at Hillsboro Delivers Abundant Information, Insight
2010-08-30
A dozen representatives from military and civilian air shows throughout the United States converged on Hillsboro, Oregon last weekend for the ICAS Air Show Academy, held in conjunction with the Oregon International Air Show on August 19, 20 and 21.
The eleventh in a series dating back to 2000, the ICAS Air Show Academy in Oregon last week provided participants with an up-close and extremely detailed look at one of the most well-managed and successful air shows in North America. From finance, administrative and staffing issues to marketing, sponsorship and media relations to air operations, ground operations and logistics, representatives from the Oregon International Air Show shared virtually all of their hard-earned lessons, successful tactics and useful insights.
“The ICAS Air Show Academy continues to be both an incredible value and the most useful learning opportunity that ICAS offers each year,” said ICAS President John Cudahy. “And the folks from Hillsboro were extraordinarily helpful and incredibly hospitable. It was definitely one of our best Academy programs ever.”
The ICAS Air Boss Academy program is scheduled to be held on October 28, 29 and 30 in Fort Worth, Texas, in conjunction with the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show. Details on this program are available on the ICAS website or from ICAS headquarters.
Election Petition Deadline Approaches
2010-08-29
The deadline for ICAS members to place their names on the ballot for election to the Board of Directors as a petition candidate is Thursday, September 9, 2010. In accordance with Section 9, Paragraph B(2) of the ICAS Bylaws, candidates making use of this process must submit a petition signed by ten (10) voting members that arrives at ICAS headquarters by 5:00 p.m. EDT on September 9.
For those interested, Section 9 the ICAS Bylaws (which can be found on page 16 and 17 of the 2010-2011 ICAS Industry Guide) provides specific direction on the nomination and election process. The Board of Directors selects a Nominating Committee Chairman from among those directors not eligible for re-election that year. The Chairman, in turn, identifies members for the Nominating Committee, at least two of who must be former members of the Board. The Nominating Committee then solicits potential nominees from among the membership. It considers a number of issues and criteria.
For instance, the overall ICAS membership is comprised (roughly) of 40 percent event organizers, 40 percent performers and 20 percent support service providers (air bosses, concessionaires, photographers, etc.). Typically, the Nominating Committee seeks to ensure that the make-up of the Board reflects the general make-up of the larger organization with an appropriate and proportional number of event organizer, performer and support service provider members sitting on the Board. The Nominating Committee also considers things like previous business or board experience, reputation and experience within the air show community, specific expertise or experience that might be useful to ICAS and the air show community, and the ability of prospective board members to put aside their own personal or organizational concerns to work for the greater good of the entire air show industry.
This presents the Nominating Committee with both a difficult assignment and a great deal of responsibility. Juggling dozens of considerations to come up with a qualified slate of candidates that will be elected to help lead the organization is a considerable challenge. In 2009, the committee included four past chairmen of the ICAS Board of Directors and one past Board member. The 2010 Nominating Committee is chaired by current ICAS Board member Judy Willey from the Portland International Air Show. Serving with her are past Board Chairmen Harry Wardwell and Charles Hutchins and former Board members Mike Berriochoa and Sean Tucker.
When it concludes its review of potential candidates and in accordance with specific direction in the bylaws that obligate it to, “…evaluate and recommend a slate of qualified director candidates to the voting membership for the annual election of Directors,” the Nominating Committee makes recommendations on whose names should be included on the ballot to be voted on by the general membership. Typically, the committee recommends three candidates to appear on the election ballot to fill three vacancies. There will be four vacancies to fill in December of this year.
Importantly, the Bylaws also provide direction on how a member who is not recommended by the Nominating Committee may have his or her name added to the Board of Directors election ballot. This process requires the prospective nominee to submit a petition with signatures from ten (10) dues-paying members to endorse the nomination. Introduced into the ICAS Bylaws in December of 1993 as a mechanism to ensure that every member had an opportunity to stand for election to the ICAS Board if he/she is interested, this process has subsequently worked as intended. Without exception, on every occasion that a member has made use of the petition process, his name has been included on the election ballot to run against those nominees recommended by the Nominating Committee.
Each year, at the ICAS Convention and in accordance with the ICAS Bylaws, an election is held to determine which members will fill vacancies on the Board. The names on the ballot include the slate recommended by the Nominating Committee and any candidates who are nominated using the petition process.
The ICAS Board periodically reviews the bylaws and election process to affirm that it remains current and accurate. Recognizing this, the ICAS Board has authorized creation of an ad hoc committee of ICAS members and has asked that group to review both the election-related verbiage in the ICAS Bylaws and the manner in which this direction has been executed by the organization during the last several years. Importantly, the new committee will be asked to recommend changes to the bylaws that allow for electronic voting by e-mail and/or the internet. Generally, the group will be tasked with making any and all recommendations on changes it may have for improving the process.
Red Bull Air Races Announce One-Year Hiatus
2010-08-28
Organizers of the Red Bull Air Races announced earlier this month that the race series will not be held in 2011. Two of the last three races in the 2010 series were cancelled abruptly earlier this summer. And the race suffered its first accident (non-fatal involving Brazilian pilot Adilson Kindlemann during a race in Perth, Australia) and a near accident (Australian pilot Matt Hall in Windsor, Ontario). Race organizers were also known to be concerned about a number of planning and venue issues.
"Following 10 years of rapid growth, the organization had decided that it needed to make the tough decision to take a break for 2011 in order to implement the changes required with regard to the restructuring of the organization and, importantly, to develop the various commercial areas of the business," said Red Bull spokeswoman Barbara Proske.
Not Too Early to Make 2010 Convention Plans
2010-08-15
ICAS members can now register for the 2010 ICAS Convention. For preliminary information on the convention and the registration process, click here. To actually register for the convention, click here.
We’ve made some small changes to the ICAS Marketing Competition this year. The dividing line between small shows and large shows has been moved to 50,000 spectators to better balance out the categories. We added a new category: Best Overall Air Show Marketing Plan. And we eliminated several others: event brochure, performer press kit, souvenir programs, and sponsor solicitation package. To get additional details about the 2010 ICAS Marketing Competition, click here.
The 2010 ICAS Convention will once again be held at the Paris Las Vegas Hotel. As it did last year, the hotel is once again offering an early bird discount rate. To learn more about the host hotel for the 2010 ICAS Convention, click here. To make your hotel room reservation at this discounted rate, click here.
In addition, for ICAS Convention delegates who show their badge at the hotel during the convention, ICAS has negotiated a ten percent discount at all Paris restaurants and a rate of $15 per day for access to the hotel’s fitness center (standard rate: $25).
URGENT: U.S. Military Jet Team Request Deadline Approaches
2010-07-29
Event organizers requesting the participation of the USAF Thunderbirds or U.S. Navy Blue Angels at their air shows during the 2011 (Thunderbirds) or 2012 (Blue Angels) seasons must submit their DD Form 2535 not later than August 1 to be considered by either team.
Please remember that air shows applying to have the Blue Angels perform at their show during the 2012 air show season must submit their applications by August 1, 2010. The team’s 2012 schedule will be developed this fall and released during the 2010 ICAS Convention, December 5-8 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Later this summer, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will begin using a similar two-year cycle when they request applications for both 2011 and 2012.
“This is a recent, but very important change in the air show planning cycle,” says ICAS President John Cudahy. “We want to make sure that the change does not cause any ICAS member shows to miss this important request deadline. If you want to host the Thunderbirds in 2011, you need to submit your request by August 1 of this year. And if you want the Blue Angels to perform at your show in 2012, you must submit that request by August, 2010, as well.”
Be advised: YOU WILL NOT HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST BLUE ANGEL PARTICIPATION IN 2012 OR THUNDERBIRD PARTICIPATION IN 2011 ONCE THE AUGUST 1, 2010 DEADLINE PASSES.
Applicants are encouraged to use the AUG 2007 edition of DD Form 2535. Requests for the Blue Angels should be sent to Navy Office of Community Outreach, Attn: Aviation Support, 5722 Integrity Drive, Building 456-3, Millington, Tennessee 38054, phone 901-874-5803, fax 901-874-5813. Requests for the Thunderbirds should be sent to Office of the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Public Affairs (SAF/PA) 1690 Air Force Pentagon Washington, DC 20330, phone 703-695-9664, fax 703-693-9601.
Olivers to Receive 2010 Barber Award
2010-07-19
Steve Oliver and Suzanne Asbury-Oliver were recently named as the 2010 recipients of the Bill Barber Award for Showmanship. The Award presentation will take place on Monday, July 26 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin during EAA’s Airventure.
The Olivers were singled out for their air show showmanship and their longstanding commitment to the air show industry.
Steve and Suzanne become the 24th recipients of prestigious award presented each year by World Air Show News Magazine and the friends and family of air show legend Bill Barber. Other past recipients include Bob Hoover, Jimmy Franklin, Leo Loudenslager, Michael Goulian, Julie Clark, Sean Tucker, Patty Wagstaff, John Mohr, the French Connection, Jim LeRoy, Dan Buchanan, and the Red Baron Stearman Squadron.
Blue Angels Select New Team Members for 2011 Season
2010-07-16
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels recently announced the names of officers who will join the team for the 2011 air show season.
As announced earlier this year, the new team lead will be Commander David Koss of Orange Park, Florida, currently serving as commanding officer of the VFA-14 “Top Hatters” based at NAS Lemoore in California. Major Brent Stevens, currently assigned to VMFAT-101 at MCAS Miramar in San Diego, and Lieutenant David Tickle, current assigned to VT-7 in Meridien, Mississippi, will also join the team as F/A-18 Hornet pilots.
Lieutenant Todd Royles, currently assigned to VFA-41 at NAS Lemoore, will join the team as the team’s event coordinator. Captain John Hecker, currently assigned to VT-6 at NAS Whiting Field in Florida, will join the team as a C-130 pilot.
The team’s new maintenance officer will be Lieutenant Richard Mecado, currently based at NAS Jacksonville in Florida. The new flight surgeon will be Lieutenant Jason Smith, currently serving at NAS North Island in California. And the new public affairs officer will be Lieutenant Katie Kelly who is just finishing up a tour at the Navy Office of Information West.
Marines Announce Dates for Harrier, Osprey Selection Board
2010-07-16
The U.S. Marine Corps will conduct its annual selection board on November 4 to determine which events in calendar year 2011 will receive an AV-8B Harrier demonstration or a MV-22 Osprey static display.
Those interested in seeking a Harrier demonstration or an Osprey static display for their event during 2011 must submit their completed request via the website: www.marines.mil/community, no later than Oct. 15, 2010.
Thunderbirds Select New Team Members for 2011 Season
2010-06-23
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds recently announced incoming officer selections for the 2011 demonstration season.
Captain Ryan Riley, an F-16 pilot stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, will join the team as the left wing for the squadron as Thunderbird Number 2.
Captain Nicholas Holmes, an F-16 pilot stationed at Luke Air Force Base, will serve as the slot for the squadron as Thunderbird Number 4.
Captain John Williams, an F-15 pilot stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, will take over as the opposing solo, Thunderbird Number 6.
Lieutenant Colonel Jason Koltes, an F-16 pilot serving at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, will join the team as the operations officer, Thunderbird Number 7.
Captain Joshua Hawkins, stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, will become the new executive officer, as Thunderbird Number 10.
Major Jason Moore, currently stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, will serve as the maintenance officer, Thunderbird Number 11.
ICAS Schedules Academy Programs for Portland, Fort Worth
2010-06-01
Once again this year, ICAS will offer two different hands-on learning programs held in conjunction with annual air shows. The traditional ICAS Air Show Academy program will be held on August 19, 20 and 21 in conjunction with the Oregon International Air Show in Hillsboro, Oregon. The ICAS Air Boss Academy will be held on October 28, 29 and 30 in conjunction with the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show. Widely recognized to be among the most effective, efficient and enjoyable continuing education programs that ICAS offers, both Academy programs focus on providing air show professionals with practical, hands-on information in a format and environment that is extremely conducive to learning and retention.
Since 1999, ICAS has been offering the Air Show Academy program to a small (not more than 25) group of ICAS members interested in getting a look at how one particular show organizes and manages its event. After an orientation meeting on Thursday evening, participants will spend Friday and Saturday talking with organizers and getting an up-close look at how the Oregon International Air Show runs their event. During the lecture portion of the program, directors with specific expertise about different aspects of the show will provide briefings, followed by the opportunity for questions and discussion.
The ICAS Air Boss Academy is a shameless knock-off of the successful and popular ICAS Air Show Academy program. Developed using the same basic formula and offered for the first time in 2009, the 2010 ICAS Air Boss Academy will use the Fort Worth Alliance Air Show as an opportunity to pass along important air boss-related information to current and prospective air bosses. Response to last year’s inaugural ICAS Air Boss Academy held at MCAS Miramar in San Diego was overwhelmingly positive. We have made a few minor adjustments to last year’s program based on feedback and experience, and the 2010 session promises to be even better than last year’s.
The fee to participate in either one of these unique educational programs is $300 per individual. Because there is limited space available and the programs are very popular, they are both expected to sell out this year. To learn more about or register for the 2010 ICAS Air Show Academy at the Oregon International Air Show in August, click here. To learn more about or register for the 2010 ICAS Air Boss Academy in Fort Worth, Texas click here.
Smoke Squadron to Make Return Visit to North America
2010-05-12
After a successful one-show visit to North America in 2009, the Brazilian Esquadrilha da Fumaça, or “Smoke Squadron” will make an encore visit to the United States and Canada this year. Brazil’s military formation team will perform at the Windsor International Air Show in Windsor, Ontario on August 21 and 22; at the Thunder over the Boardwalk Air Show in Atlantic City, New Jersey on August 25; and at the Boston-Portsmouth Air Show in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on August 28 and 29.
Established in 1952, the team flies the T-27 Tucano, a military training aircraft built by Embrear in Brazil.
Snowbirds Move to Two-Year Schedule
2010-05-10
Beginning this coming December, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will move to a two-year schedule that allows them to announce their scheduled show dates 17-23 months in advance.
"The two year schedule is an excellent initiative that will assist air shows in long term planning for a successful event," said Colonel Michel Latouche, Canadian Air Force Liaison to the ICAS Board of Directors.
By providing air shows with much more advanced notice of the team’s plans to perform at particular shows, industry experts believe that the entire air show business benefits. Scheduling issues, sponsorship solicitation and many other aspects of the air show planning process are expected to be improved and simplified.
In December of 2010, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will announce their 2011 and 2012 performance schedules. In December of 2011, the team will announce its 2013 schedule. In December of every year thereafter, the team will announce dates for the season that begins 17 months later.
In this first transition year, air shows interested in hosting the Snowbirds are asked to submit requests for both 2011 and 2012. Air show event organizers are asked to visit the Canadian Forces air show coordination website (www.airshows.forces.gc.ca) to make their requests for both 2011 and 2012 as soon as possible. If you have questions, event organizers have been asked to send an e-mail message to specialevents@forces.gc.ca. Someone from Special Events Coordination will respond your question or request.
The Snowbirds become the second North American military jet team to move to the two-year scheduling process; the U.S. Navy Blue Angels made a similar change in December of 2009.