The 19th annual Women in Aviation International (WAI) conference drew a record number of civilian and military attendees to San Diego last month, prompting WAI president Dr. Peggy Chabrian to call the event “one of the most exhilarating and successful conferences we’ve had.” More than 250 of the 3,320 participants were military members, which broke all previous records for military participation as well as total conference attendance. Last year’s event attracted 3,200 attendees.
The 224 exhibitors and the amount and number of scholarships awarded–$710,855 to 80 participants–also shattered previous records, Chabrian said, adding that the scholarship awards were “the most exciting successes of this year’s event.” Last year, 49 participants received $385,000, and Chabrian had estimated at the start of this year’s conference that the scholarships would total around $520,000.
