The 35th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference—held in Orlando, Florida, from March 21 to 23—attracted more than 5,200 attendees, including 142 international representatives from 35 countries. The conference, organized by Women in Aviation International (WAI), also included a series of educational sessions, networking opportunities, and scholarship distributions.
More than 200 companies and organizations exhibited in the sold-out hall, showcasing the diverse career opportunities within the industry. Additionally, the event coincided with Women’s History Month, providing a fitting backdrop to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in aviation.
A highlight of the conference was the awarding of 131 scholarships, contributing to WAI's record of more than $15 million in scholarships awarded since 1995.
Significant organizational announcements were made during the WAI annual membership meeting. The membership report revealed a robust and growing organization with more than 18,000 members across 120 countries. New leadership appointments include Kathy Yodice as the incoming board chair and Shannon Weidekamp as vice chair, effective April 1.
The conference also celebrated the induction of notable figures into WAI’s International Pioneer Hall of Fame. Among the inductees were renowned mathematician and NASA pioneer Katherine Johnson, the first female class of U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Navigators, and the U.S. Army Air Forces World War II Flight Nurses.