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 #WAI19, we marked 30 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 Long Beach conference highlights.

In 2019:

Attendance of more than 4,500 including representatives from 33 countries, joined WAI in Long Beach, California, for the 30th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference.
The exhibit hall hosted 170 companies and organizations representing all aspects of the aviation community, including drones.
A total of 146 scholarships were awarded to WAI members at every stage of their career. The $875,065 in scholarships awarded this year put the total of all WAI scholarships awarded since 1995 over $12,000,000.
The WAI chapter network reached 130 global chapters in 17 countries worldwide.