Attendance broke record, challenges await the organization in
2005
ANN covered this year's
ICAS 2004 convention in Las Vegas, and just before it was all over
and into the history books, we spent a few minutes with ICAS
president John Cudahy to get his comments and thoughts on not only
the convention, but what he thinks 2005 will bring to the
industry.
One of the facts that became clear the first day of the show was
that ICAS '04 saw a record number of exhibitors and attendees.
Nearly everyone we talked to at the show who had been an ICAS
member for any length of time was convinced that this year's
attendance was a new record.
Cudahy wasted no time in confirming this fact for us. Last year
there were 1,520 people in attendance, including exhibitors,
performers and delegates. This year the bar was raised, and 1,690
people came to the show floor and educational sessions.
Another change from
last year was the makeup and number of educational sessions. Cudahy
explained that this year, the emphasis was placed on the quality of
the sessions, rather than the quantity. It was clear to us that
this plan worked, because the comments we heard from convention
delegates was that the sessions were outstanding.
In fact, ANN attended one of the sessions, entitled "How to deal
with the media on your terms." We just couldn't resist, and ANN
Associate Editor made sure he sat in the front row. The two and a
half hour session was hosted by Morey Berman of the prestigious
multinational public relations firm Fleishman Hillard. Frankly, the
session was outstanding, and dealt mostly with how to deal with the
general media, as well as how to deal with crisis situations.
We also asked Cudahy what challenges he thought ICAS would face
in 2005. "2005 will be a new day, entertainment-wise," answered
Cudahy. "The competition is more sophisticated, and marketing the
events is become more of a challenge."
Cudahy minces no word
when it comes to what air shows are up against. There are many
types of activities that rival air shows for the public's
attention. Activities such as NASCAR, professional and amateur
sports, music concerts and many others are competing for the
public's attention and spending power, and it's becoming more of a
challenge to cut through the roar of advertising and into the
attention span of the public.
"The air show has advantages of other activities in that it
appeals to the public's fascination with flight as well as with the
military, both in terms of modern hardware as well as the nostalgia
value of warbirds," added Cudahy. "We believe that making use of
the media is the key to the success of air shows."
This concept was certainly emphasized throughout this year's
convention, with its emphasis on marketing and education. Cudahy is
already excited about next year's convention. Once again ANN will
cover it and bring you all the news as it happens, so stay tuned
for next year!