Women in Aviation International wrapped up its 30th annual conference that ran from March 14-16 in Long Beach, California, with an attendance of 4,500, 170 exhibiting organizations, and a total of $875,065 in scholarships awarded.

The conference drew attendees from 33 countries and exhibitors represented all aspects of the aviation community, including drones. The 156 scholarships presented to WAI members pushed the total scholarships awarded through the organization since 1995 to more than $12 million.

WAI president Peggy Chabrian held the initial event, which was hosted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona and drew 150 people.

“No one knew what to expect at that first conference, but after a weekend of networking, it was clear there was a need for an event where women in the aviation industry could interact,” Chabrian said. “Soon, the conference became an annual event, and in December 1994, Women in Aviation International was established.”

Also during the conference, WAI inducted its next slate for its International Pioneer Hall of Fame: Leanne Caret, executive v-p of The Boeing Company and president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space, and Security; Mary Golda Ross, the first known Native American female engineer, the first female engineer to serve at Lockheed, and one of the 40 founding Skunk Works engineers; and the U.S. Coast Guard’s first women aviators and Aviation-Related Enlisted Women.