WAI Conferences

In March 1990, 150 people gathered for the first Women in Aviation Conference in Prescott, Arizona, on the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus.

No one knew what to expect at that first conference, but after a weekend of networking, it was clear there was a need for more women in the aviation industry. Soon, the conference became an annual event, and in December 1994, Women in Aviation International was established as a professional, non-profit organization.

At #WAI20 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, we marked 31 years of coming together, mentoring, networking, and sharing the trademark positive energy found at our annual conference. Our members make WAI the passionate, dynamic organization it is, and the future is bright. Watch the WAI2020 wrap up video.

In 2020:

Attendance of nearly 4,500 including 142 international representatives from 31 countries joined WAI at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort for the 31st Annual International Women in Aviation Conference.
The attendees were 70% women and 30% men.
The exhibit hall hosted 180 separate companies and organizations representing all aspects of the aviation community, including drones.
A total of 151 scholarships were awarded to WAI members at every stage of their career. The $831,365 in scholarships awarded this year put the total of all WAI scholarships awarded since 1995 over $13,200,000.
The WAI chapter network reached 139 global chapters in 21 countries worldwide.