What is ICAS?
First formed in 1967 to address specific issues related to safety, insurance and military involvement in North American air shows, the International Council has subsequently become the leading authority and organizational rallying point for the worldwide air show community, working on a wide range of diverse issues, challenges and opportunities.
The programs and initiatives of ICAS are focused on the needs, issue and concerns of the organization’s 800+ members in the United States, Canada and around the world.
Incorporated as a non-profit trade association in the State of Wisconsin and recognized as a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization by the Internal Revenue Service, ICAS initially focused much of its effort on its annual convention. In the nearly six decades since it was created, the group’s programming has now expanded to year-round programming in many different areas. Here's a small sample of some of that programming:
- ICAS Convention. The world’s largest air show business meeting, held each December in Las Vegas.
- Air Shows Magazine. An award-winning publication packed cover-to-cover with the most useful and targeted information available in the air show industry.
- Strategic Air Show Partnership. A collaborative program between ICAS and air show event organizers designed to generate, analyze and share social media advertising data among program partners.
- Fast Facts Newsletter. Twice-monthly email newsletter on the most important developments in the worldwide air show community.
- Internet-based tools, information and documents. ICAS provides member-only access to the largest air show information resource in the world.
- ACE Program. Administered by ICAS through the FAA and Transport Canada to provide pilots with the peer-reviewed evaluation required to perform aerobatically at air shows.
- ICAS Academy. A living classroom conducted during one of North America’s top air shows each year.
- Vehicle Rental Discounts/Insurance. Significant member discounts and built-in collision and liability insurance coverage with Avis/Budget and Enterprise/National.
- Operations Bulletin Newsletter. A monthly email update on air show operations and safety issues.
- Lower Music License Rates. Discounted member rates on major U.S. music licenses with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.
- Air Boss Training and Accreditation. The only source of air boss training and peer-review required by the FAA.
- Education. ICAS offers the strongest and most diverse program of training and education programs in the air show business.
- Demographic profile. ICAS provides only to its members detailed demographic information on the 12 million spectators who attend North American air shows each year.
- Advocacy. ICAS represents the interests of the North American air show community with legislators, regulators and the military.