Continuing Education Programs Benefit Members, Entire Air Show Industry

LEESBURG, Va. - The International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) today issued a statement to highlight one of its most significant member benefits: continuing education.

“In the air show industry, staying competitive means staying ahead of the latest trends, learning new methodologies and skills and building relationships with your industry peers,” said John Cudahy, ICAS president. “ICAS member organizations and their employees have the opportunity to participate in a variety of education events including our upcoming Air Boss Academy in San Diego and our Air Show Academy in Fort Worth.”

The ICAS Air Boss Academy takes place at the award-winning MCAS Miramar Air Show Sept. 22-24 where ICAS member and veteran air boss Wayne Boggs will moderate the three-day event. Academy attendees will participate in a practical, living classroom setting at one of North America’s premier air shows.

“Whether you’re an experienced air boss or trying to break into the business, there’s really no better way to update or learn new skills than by seeing it done first hand,” said Cudahy. “Whether you learn by doing or learn by listening, both methods will be available to you in this dynamic setting.”

According to ICAS, members who have participated in the Academy programs have been vocally enthusiastic about the impact the program has had on their knowledge and understanding of the air show business.

The Air Show Academy taking place Oct. 13-15 at the Bell Helicopter Fort Worth Alliance Air Show promises an intimate, hands-on, workshop-style format to ensure participants get the practical, useful information they want or need.

“We try to keep the groups small for both academies so everyone can ask questions, get to know each other and get the one-on-one attention they want,” Cudahy said. “Members who attend the Air Show Academy get a complete, behind-the-curtain look at one of North America’s best run air shows that is unlike anything they will experience anywhere else…even at our annual convention in Las Vegas.”

ICAS research indicates that a significant percentage of air show professionals are already attending air shows other than their own to get new ideas, try different methods of operation and watch performers’ acts they might not otherwise see. The Air Show Academy formalizes that process and provides a limited number of delegates with a unique opportunity to gain access, insight and tools for understanding the inner workings of somebody else’s air show.

Since the first program at the Muskegon Air Fair in 2000, the Air Show Academy has hosted nearly 400 air show event organizers from throughout the United States and Canada. For more information or to register click here for the downloadable Air Boss Academy brochure, or click here for the Air Show Academy brochure.

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