ICAS Schedules Powerful Line-Up of Keynote Presentations

ICAS has planned a series of three keynote presentations that will serve as the foundation of the 2018 ICAS Convention. Each has been scheduled to address the unique and specific needs, issues and opportunities currently facing the air show community.

On the morning of Tuesday, December 4, former U.S. Air Force SR-71 pilot Brian Shul will deliver the convention’s opening keynote address…Sled Driver: Flying the World’s Fastest Jet. In the final days of the Vietnam conflict, Brian Shul was shot down while flying a mission near the Cambodian border. Unable to eject, Shul was forced to crash land in the jungle. Although severely burned in the ensuing fireball, he survived, and was rescued by a Special Forces team.  After one year in hospitals and 15 surgeries, he miraculously returned to flying jet aircraft, and culminated his Air Force career by flying the world’s fastest aircraft, the top-secret Lockheed SR-71. Brian will share his inspiring story of triumph over tragedy and give us a glimpse of what it was like piloting an aircraft at 2,200 mph at altitudes exceeding 85,000 feet. 

As part of the 2018 Pinnacle Awards presentation on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 5, top-selling author and former Cirque du Soleil performer Vital Germaine will discuss the role that creativity plays in identifying and solving the problems and challenges that businesses face every day. Germaine will distinguish between “artistic” and “creative” to explain why and how innovation can be taught, fostered and integrated into the way that air show professionals conduct their business. And he will discuss his three-step formula for inspiring increased creativity in the workplace and how innovative thinking leads to stronger collaboration, increase professional curiosity and improved performance.

As part of the annual membership meeting of the International Council of Air Shows on Thursday, December 6, ICAS has invited organizational psychologist and best-selling author Nick Tasler to discuss the art and science of inspiring and leading change during challenging periods of transition and transformation. In his presentation entitled, “Think Strategically and Act Decisively: Embracing Change as a Tool for Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability,” Tasler will help ICAS Convention delegates better understand and embrace the dynamics of organizational and industry-wide change. He’ll also take an outsider’s look at the mid- and long-term direction of the air show business and use his experience and expertise to explain why it is important for air show organizations to begin making small changes now in preparation for the larger, paradigm-shifting changes likely to face our industry in the years to come.

“This is the first time in the 51-year history of ICAS that we have had three keynote presentations during a single convention,” said ICAS President John Cudahy. “Individually, they are excellent speakers. But, together, they will provide delegates with a wealth of information and insight on an interesting combination of compelling issues.”