Frequently Asked Questions


A Mamava lactation pod for nursing parents will be provided. Location is TBA.
Business or business casual attire is appropriate for most of the events at the WAI conference. Shoes that can be walked in are a must. The Pioneer Hall of Fame Celebration dinner is cocktail/business formal attire or military dress. The tours are casual with comfortable walking shoes.
Yes, the letter to be posted upon receipt.
Each year there are college students who need financial help to attend the conference. Attendees can sponsor a student in attendee registration.
If you are a student member needing sponsorship, more information here.
WAI intends to take photographs and video of this event for use in industry news and promotional material, in print, electronic and other media, including the WAI website. By participating in this event, I grant these organizations the right to use any image, photograph, voice or likeness, without limitation, in its promotional materials and publicity efforts without compensation. All media become the property of WAI. Media may be displayed, distributed or used by WAI for any purpose. Please email editor@wai.org if you have any questions. 

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer any financial assistance for our volunteers.  If you require financial assistance, we would recommend that you look into opportunities that may be available through your local chapter.  In some cases, they have scholarships and similar opportunities, typically for students.   


If you are a Student Member of WAI, you can apply for a Student Sponsorship by completing this form.   A few things to keep in mind:

  • There are no guarantees that we will be able to find enough sponsors to fill all the requests that we receive each year, but we will sure try! 
  • All applications must be received no later than January 17, 2025 in order to be considered
  • The Student Sponsorship would cover your registration for the conference. Unfortunately, WAI is unable to cover travel expenses.
  • All applicants will be notified if they have been selected for the student Sponsorship no later than the first week of February.
  • Some universities as well as some of our local chapters are also able to offer financial support for our conference – we encourage you to also check with them as well to see if they may have other options for you.
The WAI Conference Team makes changes to the member experience based on the conference attendee survey feedback. If you attend conference in 2025, please consider responding to the attendee survey sent out shortly after conference and your ideas might have an impact!
Our Professional Development Seminars have gone from 90 minute sessions to 4-hour in-depth seminars.  The cost not only provides you with a unique, hands-on learning experience, but also light refreshments and a certificate of completion for the course.  Seats are limited for these seminars.
No, due to our ever increasing size, the luncheon became a limiting factor for WAI in choosing a venue. We have instead added more General Sessions to the schedule, added a break in program over the lunch hour (the exhibit hall will remain open) so attendees can grab lunch. This change is based on feedback from our attendees in the post conference survey. 

A Letter of Invitation may be requested after you have registered and paid for conference.  If your visa is rejected, you may request a refund by providing the official rejection letter to WAI. Send requests to waiconfreg@wai.org

Perhaps your employer would finance the trip, but you're not sure how to sell them on the idea? Don't fret, we've put together a letter that will help you make your case. Click here.

Here are some pointers for the form and helping you get your employers help: Focus on what you will specifically bring back as a return on your employer's investment in you, offer to make a presentation to your co-workers upon return from the conference, or try to explain how attending this conference benefits you, your department, and your organization.
Find your registration confirmation e-mail and use the Attendee Service Center link along with your badge number to log in. Use the continue button at the bottom of the page to navigate to the page that has the item you want to add. Add the item and Continue until the payment page where you pay for the item.
Many of the airlines have their own sign up on their websites to schedule a meeting with them.  If they are not listed, they have not provided us with that information at this time.
Yes, men are welcome to attend the conference!  WAI is an organization that is open to any individual who has an interest in aviation and aerospace.  This includes our gentlemen allies and advocates.  Approximately 15% of our membership are men who support us in our mission every day. 

Refunds for cancellations will be given, less a $75 administrative fee, through midnight February 26, 2025 (the refund cut-off date). After that date, no refunds will be given. In the event that you are registered but not able to attend after the refund cut-off date, you have the option to donate your conference fees to WAI as a charitable donation or transfer your registration to another person in the same registration category. Any requests to transfer your registration must be sent in writing to WAI by February 26, 2025 by emailing waiconfreg@wai.org. Transfers will not be accepted after this date. 

Tour tickets must be purchased in advance and are non-refundable. 

The above policy applies in the case of flight delays, flight cancellations and travel disruptions due to weather or other causes beyond the control of the registrant and WAI.

Due to the rising costs of food and the vast number of no-shows in the past, the Pioneer Hall of Fame Ceremony & Celebration Dinner will now come at an additional fee for those who wish to attend.   While WAI will still be underwriting a significant portion of the cost for this event, the fee will ensure that we plan for the accurate number of people attending and reduce wasted food/expenses.  This event will be a very special celebration to honor the new inductees into the Pioneer Hall of Fame.  We hope you'll join us as we celebrate the heroes of our industry!
Yes!  You can still help a student with their registration fees or a Pioneer Hall of Fame Celebration ticket, even if you are not attending. You can do this by clicking any of the "Register Now" buttons on the website and adding only the donated number of registrations and/or Celebration tickets. Continue through until the end and pay with a credit card.
Yes, but likely the number will be far less as there is an extra cost associated with them this year. Those that are donated will be given to student volunteers, so make sure you register to volunteer! BUT, we also have a much reduced ticket price of $29 for students to purchase their own ticket in registration. 

Future Dates

2026 WAI Conference - March 19 - 21 - Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas

2027 WAI Conference - February 25 -27 - Savannah Convention Center, Savannah, Georgia

2028 WAI Conference - February 23 - 25 - Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville, Tennessee

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