2027 Call for Presenters
Submission Details At A Glance
About the WAI Conference and Attendees
The WAI annual conference is the world's largest gathering of women in aviation and aerospace — a three-day event that draws a global, cross-generational audience of professionals, students, and industry leaders.
5,500+ attendees · 28 countries · ~70% female · 20,000 WAI members worldwide in 120 countries
Most attendees are between 19 and 49, with the largest segments at 19–25 and 30–39. While the audience is predominantly female, the conference is open and welcoming to all.
What We're Looking For
Strong proposals share a few traits. Your submission should be:
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Relevant to aviation, aerospace, or women in the workforce — and useful to attendees in their day-to-day roles.
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Original or thought-leading — a fresh angle, emerging trend, or new perspective rather than a topic the audience has heard before.
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Engaging in delivery — interactive, story-driven, or built around real-world examples and case studies.
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Clearly written — a tight title, a focused abstract, and learning objectives that map directly to your chosen track.
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Practical — actionable takeaways attendees can apply when they're back at work.
Session Types
Choose the format when you submit. Format and panelist changes after submission require written approval and will not be considered after January 21, 2027. All session times are firm, including Q&A.
One-Hour Presentation
Up to 2 speakers. Room provided with projector, screen, podium mic, and one additional mic. A Q&A mic is provided as well.
One-Hour Panel Discussion
Up to 4 panelists plus 1 moderator. Room provided with projector, screen, podium mic, up to 4 banquet chairs, and up to 2 handheld mics. A Q&A mic is provided as well.
Half-Day Professional Development Seminar
Interactive, in-depth 4-hour workshop. Only three workshops are selected each year — proposers should have prior experience leading professional development.
Learning Tracks
The example topics below are illustrative, not exhaustive. Use them as a prompt, not a constraint.
How to Stand Out
We receive far more strong proposals than we can accept. The selection committee tends to favor:
What gets attention
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Real-world case studies and concrete examples
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Clear, actionable takeaways attendees can apply immediately
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Original angles — proposals that don't duplicate what we've seen before
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Learning objectives that obviously match the abstract
What gets cut
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Sales pitches or vendor-specific content
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Academic or purely theoretical framing
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Topics nearly identical to many other submissions
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Vague or aspirational learning objectives
Submission Requirements
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Active WAI membership at the time of submission - Join or Renew Here
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Presenter bio and photo for each speaker
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Completed acknowledgments and signed agreement
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Final presentation file uploaded by January 21, 2027
Missed deadlines may result in removal from the program.
Benefits of Presenting
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A platform at the largest international gathering of women in aviation and aerospace
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Discounted conference registration rate for accepted presenters
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Networking with 5,000+ aviation professionals
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Eligibility for Top-Rated Presenter recognition (see below)
Top-Rated Presenter recognition. Sessions that earn an average attendee score of 4.75+ (with at least 50 attendees and a 20% survey response rate) receive formal recognition from WAI, a digital badge for social media, and a listing on the conference web page.
FAQs
When will I hear back?
By mid-October 2026.
Can I submit after the deadline?
No — the deadline is firm.
Can I co-present?
Yes. One-hour presentations allow up to 2 speakers; panels allow up to 4 panelists plus a moderator.
Do presenters need to register and pay for the conference?
Yes. All accepted presenters register at a discounted rate. Registration details are sent after acceptance.
Does WAI cover travel or lodging?
No — presenters cover their own travel and accommodation.
Will I get session feedback?
Yes. Survey results and attendee comments are sent by email about 4–6 weeks after the conference. Remind your audience to complete the survey in the conference app at the end of your session.