NEWS RELEASE 08-03
March 16, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Women in Aviation, International Holds Its Biggest Conference Ever

As the 19th Annual International Women in Aviation (WAI) Conference drew to a close, all the statistics pointed to the organization's biggest Conference ever. "By all accounts, this has been one of the most exhilarating and successful conferences we've had," said WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian.

• Attendance reached a new high with 3,320 women and men registered. More than 250 of the Conference-goers were from the military, also a new record.
• The Exhibit Hall was the biggest ever with 151 separate companies and organizations on display, representing all aspects of the aviation community
• Nearly $700,000 in scholarships was distributed to WAI members at every stage of life from university students to mature members seeking a mid-life career change to aviation.
• The WAI silent auction raised $28,000 for WAI's Endowment Fund, also a new record, bringing the total in the Endowment Fund to $563,000. The money in the Endowment Fund is used for scholarships.

At the Conference, WAI and the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) announced a partnership for EAA AirVenture 2008 called WomenVenture, a series of seminars, speakers and networking events all week long at AirVenture 2008, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to highlight both women's historical and contemporary role in aviation. WomenVenture culminates on Friday, August 1, with WAI's Celebrity Breakfast at the Nature Center on-site, followed by the gathering of the largest number of women pilots in history assembled at the show's AeroShell Square.

"This is a dynamic time for Women in Aviation, International, as we continue in our mission to spread the word about the passion, excitement and career opportunities aviation offers to more and more women," said Dr. Chabrian.

Plans are underway for the next International WAI Conference. "Ours is a Conference like no other. The positive energy here must be experienced to be believed," said Dr. Chabrian. The 20th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia, from February 26-28, 2009. For more information, visit www.wai.org.

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Contact:

Connie Lawrence
Women in Aviation International
937-839-4647 Phone
937-839-4645 Fax