Nearly 1,200 Delegates Come Together for Aviation Showmanship

Air shows occupy a special place in the aviation industry, sometimes an exercise in branding for suitably prestigious companies, an opportunity to wow some crowds with a display of skill, a celebration of patriotism, but nearly always a prime recruiting tool.

Few career paths give such a high-profile, attention-grabbing show placed front and center for all ages, combining the coolest technology around with the excitement of a screaming, high-performance powerplant. The International Convention of Air Shows came together for their return in 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada, boasting an impressive 47% presence of all registered member delegates. 

This year, military delegates accounted for just 36% of the attendees, an indication that many units seem to plan a return to normalcy on the show circuit through 2023. ICAS brass was pleased with the turnout. “Although overall attendance at this year’s convention was down 20 percent when compared to 2018 and 2019, the statistics and the anecdotal comments from the exhibit hall floor tell us that the decision makers were with us last week in Vegas,” said president John Cudahy. “As one exhibitor said, ‘There were not a lot of tire kickers; we were talking to people with the authority to make decisions.'”

The convention saw over 100 individual speakers, 10 hours of exhibitions, and numerous chances to network in the industry, culminating in the ICAS Awards. A number of 2022 air show schedules were announced and updated, with demonstration units like the USAF's F-35 and the Navy's Osprey demo teams signing on to make an appearance for EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin next July. 

Notable awards given included the ICAS Sword of Excellence being given to Kevin Walsh for his work with the Yankee Air Museum and Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, as well as the bestowal of the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award to performer Bill Stein. The convention saw many more awards for services rendered to the industry, for a full accounting, visit the ICAS Foundation for a complete list. 

FMI: www.airshows.aero, www.icasfoundation.org