When and where is the 2026 OBAP Annual Conference?

The OBAP 50th Annual Conference takes place August 12-14, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. The conference site is McCormick Place at 2301 S Martin Luther King Dr, Chicago, IL 60616.

Who should attend the OBAP Annual Conference?

The conference is designed for aviation and aerospace professionals, including pilots, air traffic controllers, and maintenance staff, as well as students, educators, and industry recruiters. Major airlines and aerospace employers attend as sponsors and exhibitors, making it valuable for both job-seekers and companies seeking diverse talent.

How do I register and what does it cost?

Registration is completed online through OBAP's conference portal, with pass types ranging from a Member Basic pass (Early Bird $350) to a Members-Only All-Access pass (Early Bird $675) and a student Ascension Project pass ($200 for approved members). Early Bird pricing ends May 15 and regular registration ends August 7, with higher on-site rates after that.

What is included in the conference, and what makes it worth attending?

Registration levels include professional development sessions, exhibit hall access, and networking events such as the Welcome Reception, luncheons, a documentary screening, and the Annual Awards Gala. As OBAP's landmark 50th anniversary event, it combines career and interview opportunities with a celebration of the organization's legacy in advancing minorities in aerospace.

Where should I stay and how do I get there?

OBAP offers discounted room blocks at the connected Hyatt Regency McCormick Place (host hotel) and the nearby Hampton Inn by Hilton McCormick Place; book by July 21, 2026. McCormick Place is reachable from O'Hare and Midway airports via CTA trains, Metra rail, rideshare, or car service, and has three on-site parking lots.

OBAP 50th Annual Conference 2026, Chicago | Trade Show Event Directory

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Booth Pricing

OBAP offers sponsor and exhibitor packages that include several complimentary booth-representative registrations. Specific booth costs are detailed in the official 2026 Sponsor and Exhibitor Guide. For teams exceeding their complimentary allotment, individual exhibitor registration rates are published:

Exhibitor Full: $675
Exhibitor Basic: $375
Booth Rep Only: $75

Sponsorship and exhibitor registration is handled through OBAP's online sponsor/exhibitor registration form.

Registration

Registration is completed online through OBAP's conference registration portal. Several pass types are available:

Member Basic — includes conference sessions, exhibit hall, and the Wednesday Welcome Reception. Early Bird (ends 5/15) $350; Regular (ends 8/7) $375; On-Site $450.
Members-Only All-Access — adds all luncheons, the Thursday documentary screening, and the Awards Gala. Early Bird $675; Regular $695; On-Site $725. (Membership must be current.)
Non-Member Basic — Early Bird $375; Regular $400; On-Site $475.
1-Day Pass — sessions and exhibit hall only, $175, available beginning June 1 and on-site only.
Ascension Project (student) — $200 for approved members ($300 non-member), for eligible high school seniors, college students, and young aerospace trainees under 27.

Key deadlines: Early Bird ends May 15; Regular registration ends August 7. Cancellations by July 31, 2026 receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee; cancellations after August 1, 2026 are non-refundable. Complimentary press registration is available by approval. All badges must be paid in full before the event.

History

OBAP was founded in 1976, when Ben Thomas, a young African American pilot with Eastern Airlines, spearheaded an effort to form a permanent body to address discrimination in the airline industry. He invited thirty-seven African American pilots—representing nearly 50% of the industry total at the time—to convene at the O'Hare Hilton Hotel in Chicago on September 17 and 18. Originally called The Organization of Black Airline Pilots, the group formed with a focus on preparing youth and young adults for successful careers in aviation.

Over the decades OBAP became a prominent industry advocate, influencing federal policy on pilot supply and minority hiring, and helping establish FAA-endorsed Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academies. The organization has expanded its Project Aerospace programs—scholarships, mentoring, training, and youth education—reaching students nationwide. The 2026 gathering in Chicago marks OBAP's 50th Annual Conference, a landmark anniversary celebrating the organization's legacy and mission.