Page 28 - World Airshow News Final

AN (ALMOSt) RECORD-SEttINg yEAR From WAN Staff Reports

The Ladies for Liberty (left to right, Deanna Hampton, Wanda Martin, and Nancy Cheek) entertained
convention attendees prior to the opening general session (photo by Jim Froneberger).

The 2024 ICAS Convention

t he 2024 International Council of Airways Capt. Richard de Crespigny. On AWARDS AND RECOgNItION

Air Shows (ICAS) Convention,
November 4, 2010, while at the controls
On Wednesday December 11, the In-
held December 9-12 at the Paris
of a Qantas Airbus A380 departing from
novations Awards Luncheon was high-
Las Vegas hotel, didn’t quite set
bers were faced with an in-flight emer-
an attendance record, but it was undoubt- Singapore, he and his fellow crew mem- lighted by the annual Marketing Com-
petition Awards recognizing the best
edly the most successful convention in gency following the uncontained failure marketing programs from the previous
over two-decades. With a total of 1,593 of one of the massive airliner’s four jet airshow season and the Pinnacle Awards
registrations, the 2024 ICAS Convention engines. For two hours, the crew worked recognizing creativity and innovation in
was only 12 delegates shy of the all-time to stabilize the damage and maneuver the the airshow industry.
record of 1,605 set all the way back in overweight aircraft for a successful land- At the ICAS Annual Meeting on De-
2002. ing that saved the lives of over 460 people cember 12, Kevin Elliott of Pacific Air
The 2024 convention welcomed 818 on board. Show, Nathan Hammond of GhostWrit-
event organizers from 191 airshows The opening keynote was immedi- er Airshows, and Gene Conrad of Sun
across the U.S., Canada, and around the ately followed by the announcement of ‘n Fun were elected to the ICAS Board.
world. The exhibit hall, sold out since Oc- most of the U.S. and Canadian military Hammond will remain as ICAS Chair-
tober, featured 225 exhibitors. “We’ve not demonstration schedules for the 2025 air- man, David White will remain as Vice
seen a tone and a pace of business like this show season. The 2026 schedules for the Chair, and Vicky Benzing will serve as
in many years,” said ICAS President John U.S. Navy Blue Angels and U.S. Air Force Treasurer.
Cudahy. “And, as an indication of the op- Thunderbirds were also announced. The convention concluded with the
timism and enthusiasm for the 2025 and traditional Chairman’s Banquet on Thurs-
2026 airshow seasons, it was both prom- tHE ExHIbIt HALL day evening December 12, including the
ising and encouraging.” Following the opening general ses- presentation of the annual ICAS Awards
Here are some of the highlights from sion, the exhibit hall opened for the first (see ICAS Awards in this issue).
the 2024 convention. of five exhibit sessions, allowing event or- The 2025 ICAS Convention will re-
ganizers and performers to meet face to turn to Paris Las Vegas, December 8-11,
OPENINg kEyNOtE face. Between the exhibit hall sessions, a 2025.
The opening general session on Tues- myriad of educational sessions covered
day morning of convention week featured all aspects of airshow operations and
a riveting presentation by retired Qantas marketing for both event organizers and
performers.

www.airshowmag.com 28 The Final Issue