The week began at the heart of NGPA's Oshkosh experience: the campsite. Nearly 90 campers stayed with NGPA throughout AirVenture, creating a welcoming home base where members gathered before and after each day's activities. Around 20 of this year's campers were attending the NGPA Campsite for the first time, highlighting continued growth and introducing new members to one of the organization's most valued traditions. Throughout the week, conversations around the campsite turned into friendships, mentorships, and professional connections, demonstrating that some of the most meaningful moments at Oshkosh happen away from the flight line.
NGPA's calendar was filled with opportunities for members and industry partners to connect. More than 100 guests joined a social hosted with GoJet Airlines, while another 100 attendees gathered during an Ice Cream Social with Elevated Access, celebrating an organization that uses aviation to expand access to essential healthcare. The week also included a rooftop social with Cirrus Aircraft, where more than 100 guests connected while overlooking the excitement of AirVenture. The largest gathering came during NGPA's annual Oshkosh BBQ, proudly sponsored by Avemco and hosted at Jeff Montgomery's hangar near Runway North 40, where nearly 300 members, friends, sponsors, and supporters came together for an evening that has become one of the organization's signature traditions.
Throughout all seven days of AirVenture, NGPA maintained a strong presence inside Hangar B with a large exhibit booth made possible by an incredible team of volunteers. Their dedication ensured visitors from across the aviation industry had the opportunity to learn about NGPA's mission, scholarships, mentorship programs, advocacy initiatives, professional development opportunities, and our growing community. The booth also welcomed 25 new members to the organization, each representing another individual choosing to become part of a community committed to building, supporting, and uniting the LGBTQ+ aviation community and its allies.
As another AirVenture comes to a close, the lasting memories extend far beyond the aircraft and airshows. They are found in the first-time campers who discovered a welcoming community, the conversations that sparked lifelong friendships and career opportunities, the volunteers who dedicated countless hours to representing NGPA, and the industry partners whose support helped make each event possible. Oshkosh continues to remind the aviation community that while airplanes bring people together, it is the relationships built throughout the week that make the experience unforgettable. For NGPA, AirVenture 2026 was another remarkable chapter in that story, and another reminder that when people feel welcomed, represented, and connected, the entire aviation community is stronger.
