NGPA Industry Expo Draws Thousands to California

Record-breaking event connects over 2,700 professionals with major airlines, mentorship, and $700K in scholarships.

Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 09:26 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

United Airlines was one of the nearly 100 organizations at the recent NGPA Industry Expo. [Credit: Matt Leighton]

Key Takeaways:

The NGPA Industry Expo has evolved from a small gathering into one of the largest national aviation networking and pilot recruiting events, celebrating its 12th year and NGPA's 35th anniversary with a record 2,700+ attendees.
Hosted by the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA), the inclusive expo serves as a vital platform for aviators and aspiring professionals to connect with major airlines and aviation businesses, fostering community, networking, and mentorship for everyone.
The organization actively works to break down both social and financial barriers to the flight deck, offering substantial scholarships that have grown to over $3 million total, with nearly $700,000 awarded this year.
Industry leaders and attending pilots highly value the expo for its effectiveness in talent acquisition, professional development, and creating a supportive environment that boosts career prospects and a sense of belonging for aviators.

See a mistake? Contact us.

What began as a small gathering on the back patio of a bed-and-breakfast in Provincetown, Massachusetts, has grown into one the largest aviation networking and pilot recruiting events in the U.S.

For the past 12 years, the National Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) has hosted its Industry Expo, a place where aviators and aspiring professionals can connect with everything from major airlines to businesses that support the aviation community.

Matt is the Social Media Editor for aviation brands. Previously, Matt worked in television news and spent the last decade working and interning in newsrooms across New England. He is excited to bridge his two passions of aviation and storytelling in this role.