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 #WAI21, the first all-virtual conference, we marked 32 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 as we make plans to gather for the 33rd Annual International Women in Aviation Conference March 17-19, 2022, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.
In 2021:
1. A total attendance of more than 2,300 from around the world.
2. The exhibit hall hosted 105 separate companies and organizations representing all aspects of the aviation community.
3. A total of 101 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 $475,805 in scholarships was awarded during conference, and another 48 spring 2021 scholarships totaling $256,000 were announced with a May 18, 2021, application deadline. These additional scholarships will put the total scholarships awarded since 1995 to $14,000,000.
4. The WAI chapter network reached 147 global chapters in 22 countries worldwide.
