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Aviatize — Flight School Management Software

Women in Aviation International Conference

The largest gathering of women in aviation worldwide. Three days of professional development, scholarship awards, exhibit floor, and the world's most concentrated female-aviator networking event.

March 19–21, 2026Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, United States~5,000 attendees

What to expect

WAI Conference brings 5,000+ attendees from across global aviation — pilots, A&Ps, ATCs, executives, students, and supporters. Education tracks span career stages and operational segments. The exhibit floor includes major airline recruiters, flight schools, manufacturers, and aviation employers running active recruiting operations. The scholarship program is a major draw — WAI awards more than $1 million in scholarships each year, attracting students and career-changers actively seeking aviation pathways. The conference moves between US convention cities annually. The networking and recruiting density makes it one of the highest-impact events for any organization committed to expanding the pipeline of women in aviation.

Quick facts

Dates

March 19–21, 2026

Location

Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Grapevine, United States

Estimated attendance

~5,000

Exhibitors

~200

Registration

from USD 525 full pass

Languages

EN

Regulatory focus

FAA

Also known as

WAI, WAI Conference, Women in Aviation International, WAI International

Who attends

Female pilots and aviation professionals at every career stage, aviation students, scholarship applicants, airline and operator recruiters, flight schools, A&Ps, ATCs, manufacturers, and male allies in aviation.

Why flight schools attend

Flight schools committed to expanding women in their student and CFI pipelines find WAI Conference uniquely valuable. The recruiting density is unmatched — airlines and operators do major-league hiring at WAI, and flight schools recruit both students (especially scholarship recipients) and CFIs. Schools also use WAI to evaluate scholarship and outreach partnership opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — WAI Conference is uniquely valuable for that goal. The recruiting density, scholarship recipients seeking placement, and partnership opportunities all directly support diversifying student and CFI pipelines.

WAI Conference runs annually in March, with the host city rotating between major US convention cities. The 2026 edition was held 19-21 March 2026 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas (Dallas-Fort Worth area).

WAI awards over $1 million in aviation scholarships annually across categories from initial flight training through type ratings and A&P certification. Schools partnering with WAI on scholarships gain access to highly-motivated students with funding already secured.

Listing last verified May 4, 2026 · Always confirm dates and registration via the official site.