Ladies, Plan Your Flights to Dallas

By ANN Correspondent Rose Dorcey

If you are a woman involved aviation, you'll want to be in Dallas (TX) for the 16th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference March 10-12, 2005.

The event promises something for everyone, as evidenced by the long list of speakers, exhibitors, educational sessions and professional development seminars. Dr. Peggy Chabrian, president of Women in Aviation, International said conference registrations are up.

"Our registrations are about eight percent ahead of last year, and we're on track to meet or exceed our all time record of exhibits sold."

"The speaker line-up is spectacular," Chabrian went on to say. "Among the many distinguished speakers who will be there, we'll have Colleen Barrett, CEO of Southwest Airlines and Gretchen Jahn, President/CEO of Mooney Aircraft."

Indeed, a quick look at the WIA website shows an impressive list of representatives from various airlines, and several aviation universities, organizations and businesses. Congressman John Mica, Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, is the featured speaker at the closing banquet. The Educational Sessions list includes such varied titles as No Women Pilots Needed: The WASP after the War; Networking---Building Your Strategic Alliances; Flying while Pregnant; Build Your Own Airplane; and Preparing Successful Resumes.

Attendees can also learn about scholarship opportunities. "Close to a half-million dollars in scholarships will be given at the conference," said Chabrian. "In March of 1996, we started our scholarship program with just two - $500 scholarships."

In addition to the multitude of opportunities to learn and network with those in diverse aviation fields, Chabrian also noted that the organization will launch its new membership campaign at the conference.

(Correspondents Rose Dorcey and Aleta Vinas will be in Dallas next month for the WAI event -- the proper authorities have been alerted, contributions to the bail fund would be appreciated. --ed.)

FMI: www.wai.org/conference/2005_conf_index.cfm