Dan McLaren Recognized with Air Show Industry’s Top Honor

LAS VEGAS - The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) at its 48th annual convention presented its highest honor, the Sword of Excellence, to a Troy, Ontario, businessman tonight in front of nearly 1,000 air show industry professionals attending the event’s chairman’s banquet.

Dan McLaren, owner of Mach 1 Productions, an air show and special event sound and communications company, has for nearly 30 years contributed to presenting the air show industry to the U.S. and Canadian public. He pioneered the Canadian Air Show Association (CASA), which opened the borders and a played a significant role in helping simplify a system that allows performers and support services professionals from the U.S. and Canada to work in both countries.

McLaren’s production team has been instrumental in moving the air shows into the digital age and set the standard for air show public address systems, for air-to-ground radio, and has helped shape entertainment and regulatory standards.

Throughout McLaren’s career he has taken on leadership roles; first at the regional level with the North West Council of Air Shows (NWCAS) and at the North East Council of Air Shows (NECAS) where he served as Chairman. He served on the ICAS board as the Canadian representative for a decade ultimately sitting as Chairman during one of the industry’s most challenging times which included high-profile performer fatalities and the beginning of U.S. military sequestration. As a member and chairman of the ICAS Ethics Committee he guaranteed that association membership had a venue to air their grievances and keep and maintain the industry’s business principles and professionalism.

He has also been named an honorary member of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds jet demonstration team and the Canadian Forces SkyHawks parachute team.

About the International Council of Air Shows Sword of Excellence

Since 1981, ICAS has awarded the Sword of Excellence to recognize outstanding service and personal contributions to the air show industry. Over the last three decades, ICAS has honored over 40 Sword recipients for their leadership, service, innovation, vision, commitment and selfless contributions to the air show business. Selection for the Sword of Excellence recipient is made by the unanimous decision of a committee comprised of a member of the board of directors, two past award recipients, and two at-large members, each of whom has at least 10 years of air show industry experience.

About the International Council of Air Shows

Headquartered in Leesburg, Va., ICAS was founded in 1968 as a trade and professional association by industry professionals to protect and promote their interests in the growing North American air show marketplace.