The operations team has recently returned from Oshkosh, WI where the NGPA participated in EAA’s annual AirVenture. This week-long celebration of flight has become a favorite among our members, with the NGPA hosting several events of our own alongside EAA’s lineup. For those who haven’t attended before and are skeptical – I assure you, there’s no better place to be at the end of July than with 300+ NGPA members and supporters in the epicenter of general aviation.
Throughout the week, corporate partners GoJet Airlines, Cirrus, and Airbus each held free mixer-styler social gatherings exclusive to NGPA members. Elevated Access, a proud partner of the NGPA whose mission is to support access to gender-affirming care, co-hosted an afternoon ice cream social at our campsite hospitality tent. Their staff was onsite offering information about their life-saving services, as well as awarding the NGPA $12,000 in scholarship assistance! To learn more about Elevated Access, visit elevatedaccess.org.
NGPA’s pinnacle event each year during AirVenture is the annual BBQ. This year’s evening social welcomed hundreds of members and guests for a bbq-style catered dinner, set against the backdrop of EAA’s grounds and its sea of airplanes and aviation spectacles—special thanks to Jeff Montgomery for generously hosting the group year after year.
The corporate events, partner socials, and evening comradery around the NGPA hospitality tent are without a doubt a fantastic time, and are a symbol of the progress the NGPA has made to promote LGBTQ+ visibility within the aviation community. Not so long ago, the NGPA met covertly on the north side of the FAA building. Fast-forward to today where we proudly exhibit all week in several exhibition areas, host nightly dinners at our very own hospitality tent, and continue to grow the event as another flagship-quality event for members to enjoy.
Planning is already underway for next year’s AirVenture in Oshkosh. Be sure not to miss out on all the fun! Hope to see you there!
With Pride,
Justin
