Below is our planned schedule for the 2026 Aviation Inclusion Summit presented by Piedmont Airlines.
This schedule is subject to change. 

6pm – 8pm - Check-In & Informal Welcome Social

• Hilton Lobby Bar · Badge printing available

• We’re hosting an informal welcome social tonight in the Hilton McLean lobby. It’s low-key: food and drinks are on your own and available at the lobby bar. Come say hi, meet fellow attendees and kick off the Summit together.

Thursday, November 5  ·  ALPA's Valo Park

7:30am – 9am - Shuttle: Hilton McLean to Valo Park

• Meet outside the Hilton lobby

Before 8:30am - Check-in & badge printing available in the auditorium lobby

8:30am – 9:30am Opening Remarks & Keynote · Auditorium

• Alex Wagner — Inclusion Without the Label: What the Air Force and Space Force Taught Me About Leading Everyone

9:30am – 9:45am - Coffee & Networking

9:45am – 10:45am - Breakout Sessions I

• VALO B  What Pilots Don't Tell Us: Addressing Healthcare Avoidance in Aviation Culture — Clear Skies Ahead

• VALO C  Building BRGs from the Ground Up: Navigating Challenges, Fatigue, and Lasting Impact — Samantha Battle

• VALO D  From Setback to Success: Evidence-Based Strategies for Supporting Collegiate Aviation Students — Dr. Irene Miller

10:45am – 11am - Coffee & Networking

11am – Noon - Breakout Sessions II

• VALO B  Mental Health: The Crews We Want to Be Part Of — Reini Thijssen

• VALO C  Building BRGs from the Ground Up: Navigating Challenges, Fatigue, and Lasting Impact — Samantha Battle

• VALO D  From Setback to Success: Evidence-Based Strategies for Supporting Collegiate Aviation Students — Dr. Irene Miller

Noon – 1pm - Networking Lunch · Auditorium Hall

• Sponsored by Delta Air Lines

1:15pm – 2:15pm - Breakout Sessions III

• VALO B  Unconscious Bias — Marie Gill

• VALO C  Story, Audience, Context: How to Adapt Without Losing Your Message — Corey Kuhn & Doug Baj

• VALO D  What Pilots Don't Tell Us: Addressing Healthcare Avoidance in Aviation Culture — Clear Skies Ahead

2:30pm – 3:30pm - Breakout Sessions IV

• VALO B  Unconscious Bias — Marie Gill

• VALO C  Story, Audience, Context: How to Adapt Without Losing Your Message — Corey Kuhn & Doug Baj

• VALO D  Expanding Access to Aviation Careers — OBAP ACE Team

3:30pm – 3:45pm - Coffee & Networking

3:45pm – 5pm - Group Working Session: Building Belonging · Auditorium

• Justin Ellixson-Andrews — NGPA Executive Director

5pm – 6pm - Happy Hour & Social

• Valo Commons Area

4:45pm – 6:30pm - Shuttle: Valo Park to Hilton McLean

• Meet outside the VALO entry

Friday, November 6  ·  ALPA's Valo Park

8am – 9:30am - Shuttle: Hilton McLean to Valo Park

• Meet outside the Hilton lobby

8am – 2pm - Luggage Drop · Auditorium Entry

• Checking out Friday? Leave your bags here for the day

Before 9am - Check-in & badge printing available in the auditorium lobby

9am – 10am - Morning Keynote · Auditorium

• Steve Jarrett — Incorporating Principles of Inclusion in Everyday Practice

10am – 10:15am - Coffee & Networking

10:15am – 11:15am - Breakout Sessions V

• VALO B  Language Matters: When Words Are Restricted, How Do We Still Communicate Our Values? — Gail Avendaño

• VALO C  Critical Gender Theory for HR: A Collaborative Workshop — NGPA Trans & Non-Binary Committee

• VALO D  Building Effective Supportive Learning Environments — Chelsea Picklesimer

11:15am – 11:30am - Coffee & Networking

11:30am – 12:30pm - Breakout Sessions VI

• VALO B  Language Matters: When Words Are Restricted, How Do We Still Communicate Our Values? — Gail Avendaño

• VALO C  Critical Gender Theory for HR: A Collaborative Workshop — NGPA Trans & Non-Binary Committee

12:30pm – 1pm - Lunch · Auditorium Hall

• Sponsored by United Airlines

1pm – 2pm - Closing Keynote & Remarks · Auditorium

• Scott Arnold — The Empty Chair: The Voices We Don't Hear. The Perspectives We Miss. The Safety We Compromise.

2pm – 3pm - Shuttle: Valo Park to Hilton McLean

• Meet outside the VALO entry