Special Events Information
There's no better place to be inspired, share your enthusiasm, and connect with others who share your passion for the aviation industry.
New Members Breakfast
Thursday, February 25
7:30 a.m. —8:30 a.m.
This event is exclusively for members who have joined WAI for the first time between April 2026 - February 2027.
As a new member, you’re an essential part of our vibrant community, and this special event is your chance to dive right in. Enjoy a fun, welcoming atmosphere where you’ll connect with fellow new members, build relationships with industry leaders, and discover all that WAI has to offer.
Don’t forget — you’ll need to be registered and have your badge for entry, so plan to pick it up on Wednesday afternoon and start your conference experience off right!
Opening Night Reception
Thursday, February 25
4:15 p.m. —5:15 p.m.
Join us in the Exhibit Hall at the Opening Night Welcome Reception, where you’ll have the chance to kick off WAI2027 with fellow new members and established professionals. It’s the perfect opportunity to make your first connections, and get a feel for the exciting events ahead. There will be light food, entertainment, photo ops and lots of opportunities to mingle with your peers.
This event is free for all conference registrants!
Cash bar and light hors d'oeuvres will be available at this event. This is not intended to be a dinner, so please plan your meals accordingly.
Scholarship Celebration
Friday, February 26
2:30 p.m.—3:30 p.m.
This year, the celebration takes center stage! Join us at the Friday afternoon General Session as we honor our 2027 Scholarship recipients and recognize the generous funders who make these opportunities possible. Together, we’ll hear powerful stories, celebrate remarkable achievements, and cheer on the next generation of aviation and aerospace leaders. This is a program you won’t want to miss!
2027 Scholarship Recipient List Coming Soon!
Aviation Networking Night
Thursday, February 25 | 6 p.m.
On Aviation Networking Night there will be a wide variety of events hosted by WAI's sponsors, exhibitors, chapters, universities and other aviation communities. It's an opportunity to gather, network and unite with your "aviation family".
We will continue to update this page as more events get scheduled, so check back frequently!
Please note: ANN events for WAI2027 will be held in various offsite venues in Historic Downtown Savannah.
Events Open to All Attendees
Coming Soon!
Events by Invitation or Registration Only
Coming Soon!
Looking for Industry Briefings or other events hosted by our Sponsors & Exhibitors? Check out these sections of our site for that information:
Pioneer Hall of Fame Ceremony & Celebration Dinner
Friday, February 26 | 7 - 9 p.m.
Each year, WAI honors the new inductees into the Pioneer Hall of Fame (PHOF) during this very special event. Join us for our 2027 celebration as we honor our newest members of the PHOF. The evening will include a presentation highlighting the magnificent careers and achievements of these women, a wonderful dinner and entertainment.
Attendees can purchase an admission to the dinner when they register for the conference. Guest admission can also be purchased. Space is limited for this special event, and may not be available for purchase onsite. Attire for the event is cocktail, business formal or military formal.
2027 Pioneer hall of fame inductees
Congratulations to the WAI2027 inductees for their unique trailblazing efforts that inspire more women in aviation!
Dorothy Cochrane
Dorothy Cochrane spent nearly five decades at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, joining in 1977 as one of its first female curators. As curator of general aviation and the history of women in aviation, she spearheaded the museum’s first gallery devoted to general aviation, the Thomas W. Haas “We All Fly” gallery, which opened in 2022 to define, explain, and display what general aviation is. A longtime friend of WAI, she drew on decades of WAI conferences and events to reach the general aviation community, and she acquired aircraft for the national collection, including Patty Wagstaff’s Extra 260. She also led the Military Women Aviators Oral History Initiative, recording interviews with fifteen trailblazing military women pilots. A leading authority on Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, she received the 2020 Katharine Wright Trophy and retired in 2025.
Kara Spears Hultgreen (deceased)
The late Lt. Kara Spears Hultgreen was the first modern-era combat-qualified female Naval Aviator and the first female Navy fighter pilot to die on duty. A Distinguished Naval Graduate of Aviation Officer Candidate School, she flew the EA-6A Prowler and became a fierce advocate for repealing the Combat Exclusion Laws, writing to Congress and meeting with any lawmaker who would listen. After combat aircraft were opened to women in 1993, she was assigned to the F-14 Tomcat and qualified aboard USS Constellation in 1994, joining the Black Lions of VF-213. She was lost in an F-14 accident on October 25, 1994, and laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Her perseverance helped open combat aviation to women in every service.
Susan Kilrain
Susan Kilrain, Commander, U.S. Navy (retired), is the youngest person, and one of only three women, ever to pilot the Space Shuttle. One of the first women selected to fly the F-14 Tomcat and a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, she logged more than 3,000 flight hours in over thirty aircraft types during a 20-year Navy career. Selected by NASA in 1995, she piloted Columbia on STS-83 and returned to orbit months later as pilot of STS-94, logging nearly 472 hours in space. Today a motivational speaker and STEM advocate, Susan is the author of the children’s book An Unlikely Astronaut and the memoir Slaying Snakes in the Cockpit.
International Members Reception
Thursday, February 25 | 5:15 p.m.
If you are one of our members joining us from outside the United States, we invite you to join us at the International Member Reception, where you’ll have the chance to connect with professionals from around the globe in a lively and welcoming atmosphere. This event is perfect for expanding your international network and sharing insights with peers from diverse backgrounds. Beer, wine and light hors d'oeuvres will be available at this event for invited guests. Please be sure to select the reception within registration if you are one of our WAI Members traveling from another country to attend WAI2027 and plan to attend this reception.
Coffee & Conversation in the Exhibit Hall
Saturday, February 27 | 8- 9:30 a.m.
Join us for Coffee & Conversation in the Exhibit Hall, the final networking event of WAI2027! Enjoy complimentary coffee, light breakfast-style refreshments, and warm connections as we wrap up an inspiring week together. This event is open to all attendees.
Participants from Girls in Aviation Day Savannah will explore the Exhibit Hall during this time as well to kick off their day. Be a part of inspiring the next generation and join us in the Exhibit Hall Saturday morning!
Be A Mentor. Find A Mentor.
Friday, March 28 | 3:45 — 5:15 p.m.
In these challenging times, mentorship can play a key role in keeping you connected. This forum will offer guidance on how to make the most of WAI's Mentor Connect program. Industry mentors and mentees in various career stages will share their pro tips for creating and making the most of mentor/mentee relationships and offer advice on their experiences to help you navigate your mentor network.
Seating for this session will be on a first come first serve basis. WAI strongly recommends that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the session in order to secure your seat. For security reasons, we will not be able to add additional seating in the session rooms.
Aerospace Educators Workshop
Thursday, March 27 | 1 — 4 p.m.
With a predicted shortage of skilled employees for the growing number of aerospace jobs, it is important we develop programs that inspire students to pursue aviation careers. Join us in this interactive workshop where numerous aerospace education organizations will share about their programs. Attendees will participate in simple, hands-on activities that can be brought into the classroom to teach aviation STEM skills.
Seating for this session will be on a first come first serve basis. WAI strongly recommends that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the session in order to secure your seat. For security reasons, we will not be able to add additional seating in the session rooms.
Networking 101 For Students
Thursday, March 27 | 11 a.m. — 12:30 p.m.
Are you a student interested in hearing about the fine art of networking? Join Stacey Dickson, American Airlines human resources generalist, to learn how to "Make your network" during this session.
Seating for this session will be on a first come first serve basis. WAI strongly recommends that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the session in order to secure your seat. For security reasons, we will not be able to add additional seating in the session rooms.
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