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.

In 2022, WAI marked 33 years of coming together and held one of its largest and most successful annual gatherings March 17-19, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. WAI2022 delivered numerous opportunities to network, mentor, and share the trademark positive energy found at our annual conference. Our members make WAI the passionate, dynamic organization it is, and the future is bright as we make plans to gather for the 34th Annual WAI Conference February 23-25, 2023, in Long Beach, California.

In 2022:

A total attendance of more than 4,500 from around the world.
The exhibit hall hosted 176 separate companies and organizations representing all aspects of the aviation community.
A total of 103 scholarships were distributed to WAI members at every stage of life for both academic use, lifestyle enhancement, and flight training including type ratings. A total of $473,000 in scholarships was awarded during conference, which put the total scholarships awarded since 1995 to more than $14.5 million.
The WAI chapter network reached 153 global chapters in 22 countries worldwide.