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ICAS Convention

Air Force Open House Workshop

Saturday, December 5

8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. (registration 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.)

(Military and Civilian Air Force Personnel only)

By any measure, the United States Air Force is the largest air show organization in the world. From the Thunderbirds, single ship demo teams and countless static aircraft to the three dozen shows that the Air Force holds on its bases each year, the Air Force demonstrates its deep commitment to aviation and air shows every year and in impressive fashion.

But for the captain or major or chief tasked with organizing and conducting a particular show on a particular base, the task can be daunting. Many will learn that they are responsible for organizing and conducting the event just a few short months - or even weeks! - before the event is scheduled to be held. And the complicated rules governing the funding and execution of open houses at Air Force bases can be confusing, intimidating and even - sometimes - a moving target as rules change and interpretations "evolve."

That's why, in 2002, the U.S. Air Force and ICAS cooperated to produce a one-day training course specifically organized and structured to provide Air Force personnel with the background information, explanations, direction and tips they need to effectively, efficiently and successfully plan and conduct an open house on an Air Force base. Since then, ICAS has offered this course every December at its annual Convention.

The course, developed in cooperation with Air Force personnel, will take much of the mystery out of the many decisions you and your colleagues must make as you prepare for and execute your event.

Who Should Attend?

Individuals from the highest levels of U.S. Air Force leadership recommend that multiple people from any Air Force base planning an open house should attend this course. Whether you're a civilian or active duty, a chief or a captain, if you have responsibilities for organizing and conducting an air show or open house at an Air Force base, this course has been specifically developed for you.

What Will You Learn?

The course has been refined and improved several times since it was first offered in December of 2002. The course addresses the most common questions, problems, challenges and opportunities that you and your colleagues will face as you plan for and conduct your air show/open house with specific emphasis on issues related to finance, sponsorship and contracting.

Specifically, the course will address...

In addition to the instruction and discussions, each participant will be provided with an instructional manual that includes a detailed funding matrix to help Air Force personnel determine what type of money (APF vs. NAF vs. outside funding) can be used to pay for nearly every open house air show-related expense that the air show project officer may be faced with.

How Will You Benefit from Attending Air Force Open House Air Shows Workshop?

Seldom will you have the opportunity to attend a course that is so specifically developed to meet your needs. As the 41-year old trade association serving the needs of the air show community and an organization to which hundreds of Air Force personnel have turned to for advice and direction, ICAS is intimately familiar with the challenges you'll be facing over the next several months.

As part of a unique partnership designed to provide you with a program that neither the Air Force nor ICAS could provide to you alone, our two organizations have joined forces to produce a course that enjoys the support of senior leadership at the highest levels of the Air Force. We won't be able to answer all your questions or solve all your problems, but we're going to take a pretty good shot and we guarantee that you will leave the program significantly better prepared to tackle the challenge of organizing and conducting an open house air show at your base.

Faculty

Quite deliberately, the course will be taught by non-Air Force civilian personnel who are extremely well-versed in the most difficult issues that you will face, the relevant policy and guidance issued on Air Force open house air shows, the most current interpretation, and alternative methods for accomplishing all those things that you have to accomplish as an Air Force open house air show project officer.

Fee

The fee for the one-day Air Force Open House Air Shows Workshop is $225 ($255 Onsite). The fee includes detailed and extensive handouts with important and useful reference materials, coffee breaks and the course itself. This seminar is not included in your convention registration.

Air Shows 101 - Air/Ground Operations Seminar

Sunday, December 6

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (registration 7:30 a.m.- 8:30a.m.)

Air show event organizers, especially first-timers, face a steep learning curve when standing face-to-face with the myriad of regulations, requirements and recommendations of putting on an air show. Air Shows 101 is designed to take some of the steepness out of that curve.

What You Will Learn

This information-packed, one-day program delivered by a faculty of seasoned experts and recognized throughout the industry as the definitive introductory course on air show air/ground operations, is designed specifically to help you manage the myriad details associated with running the air/ground operations of an air show. This information-packed, one-day program features presentations on critical air/ground operations issues, such as...

Faculty

The instructors for the ICAS Air Shows 101 Seminar have each been teaching the course for a number of years. They are both experienced air show professionals and accomplished instructors. Together, they possess nearly 200 years of air show air/ground operations experience.

Fee

The cost for Air Shows 101 is $225 ($255 On-site). This seminar is not included in your convention registration.

Sponsorship for Events Workshop

Sunday, December 6

1:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

It's the holy grail of the events industry and sports/entertainment marketing. We heard loud and clear from members that this session needed to be more user friendly with examples of successes within the air show industry. So, we're focusing on a single, specific session that addresses sponsorship for event organizers. This new class will provide event organizers with the tools necessary to secure and maintain corporate sponsorships in today's demanding and competitive market. You'll learn how the most successful air shows in the country have structured their sponsorship programs. You'll learn what kinds of challenges and opportunities you might be presented with during an economic downturn. You'll learn what it takes to demonstrate your event's value to sponsors and prospective sponsors. And you'll find out how to develop and retain strong sponsor relationships. Now air shows - small and large, civilian and military - can learn how to strengthen the integrity and desirability of their own sponsorship programs with these proven techniques.

Fee

The fee for this special four-hour workshop is $140. The course is not included in your Convention registration.

Air Shows 201 - Advanced Air Boss Workshop

Tuesday, December 8

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

This half-day, advanced course focuses on air boss issues. The ICAS Air Shows 101 course is a pre-requisite for anybody interested in registering for Air Shows 201.

Topics addressed in this four-hour, interactive-style workshop include:

Faculty

Three of the air show industry's most experienced air bosses - Wayne Boggs, George Cline and Ralph Royce - will serve as instructors for this year's Air Shows 201 Air Boss Training Workshop.

Fee

The cost for this course is $140 ($170 Onsite). This seminar is not included in your convention registration.

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