Convention "Surpassed All Expectations"

The recent International Council of Air Shows convention brought out the best and brightest in the field, setting a "positive tone for the upcoming North American air show seasons in 2024 and beyond."

The convention was held at the ritzy Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, with about 1,500 attendees present. That number included 781 event organizers from 188 distinct air shows, primarily from the US and Canada. The schedule for the next airshow season in North America was largely solidified throughout the 4-day conference, with announcements filling the wire throughout the week.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the RCAF CF-18 Hornet demonstration, the USAF A-10, F-16, F-22, and F-35A, the Marine Corps MV-22 and F-35B teams have all put their calendars together. The Army's Golden Knights, the Italians' Frecce Tricolori, the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds also finalized their dates, too. The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels went one step further, putting out their 2025 schedules, too.

A long list of awards rounded out the conference, too, with the 2023 ICAS Sword of Excellence, Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award, the Dick Schram Memorial Community Relations Award, and the Bob Hoover Wingman Awar being given out to their designated winners. Inductions to the Air Show Hall of Fame took place, too, adding to the pantheon of aerobatic performers.

FMI: www.airshows.aero