IAWA online conference attracts 2000 delegates

Developing women’s leadership skills in the aviation and aerospace sectors is the aim of the International Aviation Women’s Association’s (IAWA’s) General Aviation Leadership Forum virtual conference, a first for the industry, which takes place today place today (June 25th).

Originally due to be held in New York on June 11th, the event has been rescheduled and reformatted due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. IAWA advisory board member and Charlie Bravo co-founder and CEO, René Banglesdorf told Corporate Jet Investor the virtual conference is going to be an adventure with approximately 2000 delegates registered to attend.

The IAWA’s focuses its efforts on inspiring younger women, training rising leaders and connecting women within a professional network. Similarly, this virtual conference is designed to connect, inspire and lead, according to Banglesdorf.

Speaking about the prominence of women within business aviation Banglesdorf said she thought the industry was taking steps away from the mentality of ‘an old boys club’. However she said US Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao appointed a board at the stipulation of the US Congress to look at women within aviation – focusing on areas such as what makes women join the industry and how do they fare within it. Bangelsdorf said there were still too few women in the aviation and aerospace sectors – with even fewer in senior management positions. “But as I have been looking I have been seeing more women rise to positions of influence within this industry and it’s very encouraging,” Bangelsdorf told Corporate Jet Investor’s Town Hall online meeting yesterday (June 24th).

The General Aviation Leadership Forum is hosting Elaine Chao as well as Airbus chief technical Grazia Vittadini and five US Air Force fighter pilots plus more than 100 other women speakers. The event is being held online in a 3D virtual conference hall, complete with a lobby, information desk, an auditorium for live keynote presentations, and an interactive exhibit hall. There is also a live networking lounge where attendees can interact with each other in real time and exchange information. Register for your free place here. https://iawa.org/event/forum-3rd-annual-ga-leadership/

Meanwhile, you can listen to Bangelsdorf’s thoughts on the recovery of business aviation by registering for your free place at Corporate Jet Investor’s online The Town Hall meeting.