Women in Aviation, International Takes Off for 25th Anniversary Year

With the successful conclusion of its 24^th Annual Conference last month in Nashville, WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian has now turned her attention to major networking and outreach as part of WAI's 25 years of conferences.  The Nashville 2013 Conference set a new record with 3,375 attendees representing all segments of the aviation community.

"We've come a long way from the humble beginnings of our first conference in Prescott, Arizona, back in 1990," says Dr. Chabrian. "What many people don't know is that WAI existed as a conference before it existed as an organization. The organization was formed five years after our first conference, really at the request of attendees."

The 25^th annual Conference year kicks off with a regional conference in Prescott, Arizona, on Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5, 2013.  "We're returning to where it all began -at Embry-Riddle's Prescott campus," added Chabrian.  "This will be a very exciting weekend."

 

Tours of the Embry-Riddle campus, a luncheon, and speakers are all planned for Friday. Dr. Frank Ayers, ERAU chancellor, will speak along with WASP Betty Blake and Executive and Former FAA Deputy Administrator Barbara Barrett. An airshow panel consisting of Melissa Pemberton, Julie Clark and Matt Chapman, will discuss life as an airshow performer. Friday concludes with a reception.

Saturday, October 5 launches with a Fly-In Breakfast, followed by a tour of Embry-Riddle's flight line and simulators. Terrafugia COO Anna Mracek Dietrich and Vice President of Business Development and Expositions for Helicopter Association International Karen Gebhart will speak. After a Saturday luncheon, WAI conference attendees along with ERAU students, alumni, faculty and staff will be treated to a private air show.

2014 Conference: The 25th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference will be held at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida, from March 6-8, 2014. "Since this is our 25th anniversary conference, we are pulling out all stops to make this our biggest and most ‘magical' Conference ever," added Chabrian. For example, we are planning an expanded ‘Bring Your Daughter to the Conference Day' in conjunction with a major sponsor."

Throughout 2013, Women in Aviation, International will continue its outreach program via scholarships, networking events and chapter activity. WAI's and EAA's established WomenVenture initiative will continue at EAA AirVenture this summer.

For more information on any of these events, please visit www.wai.org.