Virtual 2020 International Council of Airshows Convention

[Nick]

Unfortunately, but as expected, ICAS announced in a statement they will not host a traditional in perosn-event, stating they are unable to proceed with the traditional in-person event venue, but overall, it is considered a critical ICAS convention within a generation, and now they will morph into a virtual event venue. However, 2021 seems promising that airshow hosts are more likely to host their airshows, and hope to welcome their spectators back soon.

ICAS Virtiual Convention

By: John Cuhady, President, ICAS

September 21st, 2020 - Monday

Recognizing that the current environment will not allow us to produce our traditional in-person convention, ICAS has developed an innovative virtual convention to keep the North American air show industry moving forward.


After several months of planning and preparing for a hybrid convention in December, ICAS has been forced to acknowledge the reality of the pandemic restrictions currently in place in Nevada. Right now, the state is stuck at Phase Two, which prohibits Las Vegas hotels from hosting meetings of more than 50 people. We had hoped that that situation might change in time for our annual gathering. Unfortunately, the immediacy of the calendar, together with the pandemic situation in Las Vegas, has eliminated all options for our live convention.


But the 2020 ICAS Convention remains the most critical ICAS Convention in at least a generation. After a year with almost no air shows, our fans and spectators will be anxious to know what the future will bring to the air show business in just a few months. And they will expect us to be ready to welcome them back to our events safely. The virtual convention that ICAS is planning will provide members with the tools they need to meet those challenges.


This year’s ICAS Convention experience will continue to present the vital information our members expect, from introductory workshops and military forums to keynote speakers and interaction between buyers and sellers.


It will also provide the entire air show community with a chance to share information, compare notes, and anticipate and discuss the challenges of running an air show business in a post-pandemic world. We will hear from event organizers who were able to hold their events in 2020. We will hear from event organizers who scheduled and planned air shows in 2020 that they then had to cancel. Public health experts and sponsorship specialists will join us. The military will share their plans with us. And we will provide you with the information and insights you and your organization need to be ready for the 2021 air show season.


We did not arrive at this decision to switch to an all-virtual convention format lightly. We have studied the public health situation in Las Vegas for weeks. We have talked with our host hotel on a weekly basis. We have researched the possibility of moving the convention to other locations. But, ultimately, we recognized that we were out of both time and options.


And we are excited about the prospects for our internet-based convention. We will offer things that we could not possibly offer if we had gathered together in Las Vegas. We will have keynote presenters and subject matter experts from outside the air show community who would not typically join us in Vegas. And the virtual format will also allow informal discussion sessions that would have been impossible in Las Vegas, given our space limitations at the hotel.


Although we won’t be gathering in Las Vegas during the first full week of December this year, the ICAS Convention will still go on. We urge you to keep those dates on your calendar committed to the convention. And we’ll be in touch within the next couple of weeks with details on the robust, focused, interactive program that we are planning, as well as pricing and refund policy information.

- John Cudahy, President, ICAS

[Nick]

Heres the source to this unfolding ideal they have mind: https://airshows.aero/News/ID/561

[Nick]

3 WEEKs away until we hear from our beloved aerobatic pilots and demonstration teams and their newly formatted schedules for the next year of 2021!
https://airshows.aero/News/ID/563

Statement on the upcoming virtual event in Las Vegas

With just about three weeks until the first day of the 2020 Virtual ICAS Convention, the details of this year’s annual business meeting are becoming clearer.

“To be honest, the change from live to virtual has required us to make a lot of changes to the program and schedule,” says Adam Glowaski, ICAS Director of Marketing and Communications. “All those changes are now in place and we’re looking forward to executing the plan that we’ve been reworking over the last six weeks.”

The 2020 ICAS Convention will feature three keynote presentations (see related story below), more than 18 hours of virtual exhibit sessions, 27 break-out education sessions, nine “hot seat” roundtable discussions, and five long-format workshops. The schedule includes nine education sessions on COVID-related issues, seven sessions directed specifically at air show performers, and eight presentations from military representatives to discuss how to request, prepare for and host military teams and single-ship demos.

“Literally, thousands of conventions have transitioned from live to virtual during the last eight months,” says ICAS President John Cudahy. “So, even though these are uncharted waters for all of us, best practices have been developing and improving since the beginning of the year and we’re incorporating all of them into the program we have planned for our members on December 8, 9, and 10.”

Cudahy emphasized that user-friendliness and accessibility have been key considerations at every step of the planning. “We spent almost a full month looking for just the right software platform to host our virtual convention. We knew that members might be hesitant to engage with something that was difficult to use or complicated to understand,” he said. “So, we focused on finding a program that would eliminate all of that angst and confusion.”

To that end, the first-ever virtual convention will include multiple tutorials and information resources to help explain how to participate in and interact with the program (see related story above). Because the virtual format will be unfamiliar and perhaps even a little intimidating to some, ICAS has focused on making the virtual convention platform user-friendly, and the content and substance of the convention as accessible as possible. And because every session will be videotaped, all of the content will be available for delegates to watch or re-watch hours, days or even weeks after the session is held.

The schedule for the 2020 Virtual ICAS Convention can be cited below:

Monday, December 7th
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Air Force Open House Workshop - Part 1 of 3
2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Aerobatic Competency Evaluators Meeting
3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Air Force Open House Workshop - Part 2 of 3
3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Convention Orientation/Q&A
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Maple Leaf Forum

Tuesday, December 8th
10:20 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. Jet Team Schedule Announcements
10:50 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Virtual Exhibit Session A
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Air Force Open House Workshop - Part 3 of 3
1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Keynote: David Blaine’s Ascension: Collaboration, Preparation and Inspiration
2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Virtual Exhibit Session B
3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Hot Seat Discussion: Ask Us Anything - Air Shows Held in 2020, Hot Seat Discussion: U.S. Air Force Open House Issues,
Hot Seat Discussion: U.S. Navy Open House Issues
3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Air Boss 201: Advanced Air Boss Workshop - Part 1 of 3, Air Shows 101: Air/Ground Operations Training Workshop - Part 1 of 3
Sponsorship for Events Workshop - Part 1 of 2
4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. 40 Tips in 40 Minutes: Event Organizers on Performers, Public Health Assessment of COVID in 2021, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds Forum
5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. How to Set Fees and Write Contracts: A Performer’s Perspective, Tips for Leveraging the Economic Impact of Your Air Show to Build Partnerships and Enhance Fundraising, U.S. Marine Corps Forum
6:30 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. Award Announcement: Induction of Ralph Royce into the ICAS Foundation Air Show Hall of Fame
6:50 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Foundation Air Show Hall of Fame Toast and Virtual Happy Hour
7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. NWCAS Regional Meeting, SWCAS Regional Meeting

Wednesday, December 9th
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m: NECAS Regional Meeting & SECAS Regional Meeting
10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m: 40 Tips in 40 Minutes: Air Shows During Time of COVID, Air Show Accidents: A Statistical and Preventative Perspective, &
U.S. Navy Blue Angels Forum
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m: Air Boss 201: Advanced Air Boss Workshop - Part 2 of 3 & Air Shows 101: Air/Ground Operations Training Workshop - Part 2 of 3
Sponsorship for Events Workshop - Part 2 of 2
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Drive-In-Style Air Shows: Lessons Learned, Performer Safety De-Brief, U.S. Air Force ACC Forum
12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Virtual Exhibit Session C
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Keynote: The Role of Air Shows in Recruiting a Younger and More Diverse Workforce into Military and Civilian Aerospace Sector
3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Hot Seat Discussion Session B
3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Air Boss 201: Advanced Air Boss Workshop - Part 3 of 3 & Air Shows 101: Air/Ground Operations Training Workshop Part 3 of 3
4:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. 40 Tips in 40 Minutes: Grunt Insights Air Show Marketing and Communications in Post-pandemic EnvironmentFAA Forum
5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Sponsorship Solicitation and Servicing in the Post-Pandemic Environment, 1CAD/RCAF/SkyHawks Forum, Air Show Operations Manual: An Update
6:30 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. Award Announcement: ICAS Special Achievement Award & Bob Hoover Wingman Award
6:50 p.m. - 7:20 p.m. ICAS Special Achievement Award & Bob Hoover Wingman Award Toasts and Virtual Happy Hour

Thursday, December 10th
10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Hot Seat Discussion: Ask Us Anything - Veteran Performers, Hot Seat Discussion: U.S. Air Force Open House Issues, Hot Seat Discussion: U.S. Navy Open House Issues
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Air Shows 102: Business Basics Workshop - Part 1 of 3
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Air Boss/Event Organizer Safety De-Brief, Canadian Forces Snowbirds Forum, Organizing and Conducting a Virtual Air Show: Panel Discussion
12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Virtual Exhibit Session D
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Keynote Presentation: Jon Dorenbos
2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Ask Us Anything: ACE Committee and FAA/Transport Canada Air Show Coordinators, Concepts in Parking: Drive-In and Normal Operations, U.S. Navy Forum
2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Air Shows 102: Business Basics Workshop - Part 2 of 3
3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. 40 Tips in 40 Minutes: Performers on Event Organizers, Learning from Others: Lessons Learned from Non-Air Show Events in 2020, U.S. Army Golden Knights Forum
5:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Annual ICAS Membership Meeting
5:45 p.m. - 6:10 p.m. Award Announcement: Art Scholl Showmanship & ICAS Sword of Excellence
6:10 p.m. - 6:40 p.m. Art Scholl Showmanship & ICAS Sword of Excellence Toasts and Virtual Happy Hour

Friday, December 11th
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Air Shows 102: Business Basics Workshop - Part 3 of 3

Sources:
https://airshows.aero/News/ID/563
https://airshows.aero/Page/Convention-TentativeSchedule

[Nick]

1 week away! Until we hear the official 2021 Jet Team Schedules!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIOQtyyBzKb ... hare_sheet

[kalamazookid]

Happy schedule eve! Hope some of the announcements tomorrow will turn into actual, concrete plans for next summer.

[Nick]

Happy schedule eve! Hope some of the announcements tomorrow will turn into actual, concrete plans for next summer.

Indeed, the best days are still ahead, despite the current situation, but overall I do favor the way the Airshow Community has shifted its attention, we've finally reached that point in almost every single year of this century: "A Fresh Start". And at this view point, it seems almost promising that rumor's will turn into reality. I'm more than satisfied to see the schedule of events and all the airshows that are yet to occur. Oh, by the way, the real big ones, Air Combat Command and the U.S. Flight Demonstration Aerobatic Teams (Thunderbirds & Blue Angels) will announce their official 2021 calendar and their primarily 2022 schedules on Tuesday December 8th. The rest of course is business as usual. So basically not on Monday, but I believe Civil Acts will be announced on that day, either way you don't want to miss out on everything.

[Nick]

Question: Anyone have any idea of how to access the live stream for the Virtual Convention? Please PM if you know. Thanks.

[Bretten Bailey]

Question: Anyone have any idea of how to access the live stream for the Virtual Convention? Please PM if you know. Thanks.

The convention itself isn't livestreamed or anything like that. It will operate much like the traditional in person convention did, but just be virtual. Essentially, to be able to see all the classes, forums, presentations and schedule releases, you'd have to be an ICAS Member that has registered for the convention. Only one computer can be linked with a sign in to the Convention Portal.

The videos that were shown to us after the conclusion of the Opening General Session & Keynote Presentation during last years convention to announce the jet team schedules were pretty similar to the videos that the teams themselves ended up sharing later on. So, its possible you'll see the same videos, just a little later than the actual announcement. It is unknown if ICAS will put those videos on their YouTube page.

[Nick]

Question: Anyone have any idea of how to access the live stream for the Virtual Convention? Please PM if you know. Thanks.

The convention itself isn't live-streamed or anything like that. It will operate much like the traditional in person convention did, but just be virtual. Essentially, to be able to see all the classes, forums, presentations, and scheduled releases, you'd have to be an ICAS Member that has registered for the convention. Only one computer can be linked with a sign in to the Convention Portal.

The videos that were shown to us after the conclusion of the Opening General Session & Keynote Presentation during last years convention to announce the jet team schedules were pretty similar to the videos that the teams themselves ended up sharing later on. So, its possible you'll see the same videos, just a little later than the actual announcement. It is unknown if ICAS will put those videos on their YouTube page.

So... this defines that the majority will have to await the announcements afterwards, I can see why. But one last question I have in mind, Is there certain requirements to become a member? like... Do have to be apart of the committee? or.. Is the membership only for members of the airshow industry? I Want to avoid signing up for becoming apart of business industry (Overall I have no knowledge how the membership works of the International Council of Airshows). If obtain any info on that, please feel free to briefly describe it if you will.

[Bretten Bailey]

Question: Anyone have any idea of how to access the live stream for the Virtual Convention? Please PM if you know. Thanks.

The convention itself isn't live-streamed or anything like that. It will operate much like the traditional in person convention did, but just be virtual. Essentially, to be able to see all the classes, forums, presentations, and scheduled releases, you'd have to be an ICAS Member that has registered for the convention. Only one computer can be linked with a sign in to the Convention Portal.

The videos that were shown to us after the conclusion of the Opening General Session & Keynote Presentation during last years convention to announce the jet team schedules were pretty similar to the videos that the teams themselves ended up sharing later on. So, its possible you'll see the same videos, just a little later than the actual announcement. It is unknown if ICAS will put those videos on their YouTube page.

So... this defines that the majority will have to await the announcements afterwards, I can see why. But one last question I have in mind, Is there certain requirements to become a member? like... Do have to be apart of the committee? or.. Is the membership only for members of the airshow industry? I Want to avoid signing up for becoming apart of business industry (Overall I have no knowledge how the membership works of the International Council of Airshows). If obtain any info on that, please feel free to briefly describe it if you will.

To become an ICAS Member, you have to be involved in the industry in some way (whether you are a volunteer or paid staff member of an air show organization, support service, performer etc...). Each organization/company pays annual dues and the registered members of the organization/company can attend the convention. Registration costs are separate than the annual dues.

The purpose of attending is to network and spend time in classes learning. There is some celebrating the year behind us, the year before us and then just have fun with air show colleagues, however. The convention is a place to get down to business for future shows.

While I will miss the actual convention this year, I am anxious to see how the whole virtual convention plans out. While the registration fee is still paid, we saved a bunch of money on not having to fly out there and get hotel rooms. I'm hoping we're back to the real deal next year though.

Don't be surprised if the schedules leak out a bit early by the way. Last year I was already receiving messages from people on what we received at some of my shows while we were still in the middle of the Opening General Session & Keynote. It was about 20 minutes later before the schedules were on the screen in the ballroom.