2010 European Airshow Convention (EAC) will take place next week in Hasselt, Belgium (February 25 to 27, in Hasselt).

This yearly forum gathers not only representatives from the airshow and air races industry - or activities - and sponsors concerned with air displays, but also display pilots, aerobatic team managers, experts from flying control committees, commentators, and a few local media. Delegates gathering at EAC are coming from all countries of Europe, Russia, Turkey, South Africa and even from the Middle East : Morocco, UAE, and Jordan with the famed Royal Jordanian Falcons. The EAC is the equivalent in Europe to the North american International Council of Airshows. 160 people will attend and the Convention was fully booked a month ago for the first year ever.

Interestingly most european air events managers gather to the EAC every year, discussing ideas to promote their events and attract new visitors. In past Conventions they were searching for new ways to create what they still call the "Wow factor" . Wow is supposed to happen during a spectacular and very unusual display act. That is what people cry as they are happy with what they see. A few ideas came up during past Conventions, many from the british guys, but huge money remains the nerve of airshow "Wow" acts. Best example of that point is that costly XH558 Avro Vulcan vintage bomber nearly did "all Wow" alone in most shows in UK and Netherlands all last season in 2009. Apart from the brits, it seems only Zeltweg AirPower team did introduce many great things in a huge and superb event that is now definitely different from all other displays in Europe, but also thanks to big money from Red Bull.

Next week airshow directors will listen to some commentators talking at the conference, to learn how these core speaking guys provide much of the entertainment as well. It is worth noticing that in these difficult times under crisis and little available money from sponsors, every little new idea may be a huge leap forward to have more spectacular airshows in the future. Air displays above the sea mau represent a quantum leap forward and such events as spanish Vigo airshow should be discussed as well.

Last but not least there could always be bureaucrats who would wait for the first opportunity to kill airshows in the event they would judge - wrongly - that they are dangerous fests. The airshow community is always looking at the best ways to improve safety, and that is the first and foremost task of the EAC Conventions. As an example of that this year, Cpt Cedric Ruet (French Armée de l'Air) will be this year the man explaining a fast jet display season. He will say how he displayed a dassault Rafale everywhere from France, and UK, to Russia and Poland, and how he had to cope with display rules in each country. Breitling Jet Team and Pioneer Group will show how difficult it is to inspire the public, with air displays that must always remain safe.