2026 Minnesota Aviation Maintenance Technician & IA Renewal Conference

About the Event

This conference hosts aviation maintenance professionals, including college and university students, from Minnesota and around the country for continuing education credit, networking, and Inspection Authorization (IA) renewal. The conference offers 11 hours of training over one and a half days. Attendees can earn eight hours of FAA-required annual accredited training toward their IA certification. Concurrent sessions will provide aircraft maintenance related topics and the FAA will be on-site to answer questions.

The annual aviation technician conference also showcases over 50 exhibits featuring the latest and best in aviation projects, technology, and services, along with career recruiting opportunities. 

Call for Speakers

At this time, the conference planning committee is accepting speaker applications for the 2026 conference. If you're interested in presenting at the event, please complete the online form by January 30, 2026.

Attendee Registration 

Individual participant registration is now open. The registration deadline is March 11, 2026. Fees are below:

Registration fee: $135
Late registration fee (after March 11): $160
Onsite registration fee: $160
Cancellation policy: Cancellations requests sent to [email protected] before March 11, 2026 will be accepted—with refunds subject to a $25 service fee. No refunds will be issued after that date.

Please note: You will be required to create an account with the University of Minnesota to register for this event. If you don't already have an account, please follow the prompts under "new user" when registering.

Sponsors and Exhibitors

Sponsor and exhibitor registration is now open. Learn about available opportunities.

Preliminary Program

Check out the preliminary conference program for schedule information. Sessions and speaker details will be available closer to the event.

High School Aviation Career Forum

This free high school forum offers students the chance to explore scholarship opportunities, hear from aviation schools, and discover a wide range of career paths in aviation. Register by March 6, 2026 to secure your spot!

Accommodations

Conference accommodations are available at several area hotels. See details on hotel locations, special rates, and reservation instructions. 

FAA Award Applications

Recognize eligible technicians and employers who champion and advance maintenance training. FAA award applications are now open.

Questions?

Please contact [email protected] for more information.

For details about your training status, contact your local FSDO at [email protected].

Organizing Sponsors

This conference is brought to you by the Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics and the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team. It is facilitated by the Airport Technical Assistance Program (AirTAP).