Aviation Wildlife Management Conference | Bird Strike Committee USA

About the Conference

We look forward to welcoming you to Cleveland, OH for the 2026 U.S. Aviation Wildlife Management Conference. This year's theme is Birds, Planes, and Safety Gains: Connecting Science, Policy, and Practice.

Attendees will observe informative presentations on strategies and site-specific approaches used to reduce the risk that wildlife pose to safe airport operations. There will be several opportunities throughout the conference to interact with a wide variety of stakeholders, subject matter experts, and partners in the industry. We encourage you to take advantage of this conference to expand your network by engaging with Bird Strike USA Steering Group members, presenters, and other civilian and military attendees. This conference will provide a collaborative atmosphere where proactive, reactive, and adaptive strategies are shared and improved. We look forward to advancing the common objective of providing safe airport environments by properly addressing aviation wildlife management issues.

Who Should Attend?

Wildlife and wetland resource managers
Land-use planners
FAA inspectors - including airports, air traffic, and flight standards
Airline and aircraft owners/operators
Military and civilian personnel responsible for airfield operations
University researchers
Engineers
Aviation representatives
Aerospace manufacturers/industries
Waste management operators
Anyone interested in mitigating wildlife strikes

All attendees will be eligible to received a Certificate of Attendance post-conference.

Carla J. Dove, Ph.D

Program Director - Feather Identification Lab

Smithsonian Institution

Explore opportunities to contribute to the upcoming Aviation Wildlife Management Conference by submitting a presentation, scientific poster, or “Lessons from the Field” proposal. This year’s theme, Birds, Planes, and Safety Gains: Connecting Science, Policy, and Practice, highlights the critical connections between research, policy, and real-world application in reducing wildlife hazards to aviation. Click below for full submission details, priority topics, guidelines, and important deadlines.

Proposals received after April 10 may not be considered. See this example for formatting your presentation proposal. Include contact information for the lead presenter.

2026 REGISTRATION FEES

In U.S. dollars drawn from U.S. banks

	On/Before June 19, 2026	After June 19, 2026
All Attendees	$495	$575
Students*	$195	$195

*In order to receive the discounted rate, students must provide a copy of their student ID indicating full-time status and cannot be employed by an aviation industry organization. Email student ID to aaaemeetings@aaae.org with receipt of registration payment.

AAAE accepts registration regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, sex, physical disability and national or ethnic origin. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment and educational services. If you require any special assistance to participate or have special dietary requirements, email aaaemeetings@aaae.org.

Cancellation Policy:

Registrations and cancellations must be submitted in writing. Cancellation requests received before Friday, July 17, 2026, are subject to a $125 processing fee and will be processed after the meeting takes place. There will be no refunds after this date. Substitutions will be accepted without penalties and no-shows will be billed. For all inquiries regarding cancellations and refunds, please contact the AAAE Meetings Department at 703.824.0500 or email aaaemeetings@aaae.org. By submitting a completed registration form, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the cancellation policy.

NOTE: AAAE reserves the right to postpone or cancel an event if the number of registrants is insufficient; due to acts of God; or any other reason beyond AAAE’s control. In this event, we will notify all registrants and credit the full registration fee towards another AAAE meeting, product or service. However, any costs incurred by the registrant, such as hotel cancellation or airline penalties, are the responsibility of the registrant. Confirmation letters will be emailed to attendees within two weeks of receipt of registration. However, if you have not received a confirmation email two business days prior to the meeting, and you enrolled at least two weeks prior to the meeting, please contact the AAAE Meetings Department at 703.824.0500 or AAAEmeetings@aaae.org. Please note failure to receive a confirmation letter before an event will not be grounds for a refund.

Media Access Policy

AAAE reserves the right to grant at its sole discretion access to TV, radio and print media organizations or individuals that have registered and received prior authorization from AAAE at least 72 hours prior to an AAAE event they wish to cover. Due to the sensitive nature of some discussions, not all sessions at some AAAE events will be open to media. AAAE retains the sole right to grant or refuse media access for any event or section of an event it operates.

Hotel Accommodations

The main conference sessions will be held at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, located at 100 Lakeside Avenue East. For your convenience, a block of rooms has been made available and all attendees will receive the government per diem rate of $159 per night (single/double). The last day to receive this discounted rate is Monday, July 20, 2026. Rooms may sell out before this date, be sure to make your reservation today! Reservations made after this date only can be honored on a space available basis at the hotel’s prevailing rates.

To book your room, please use the online reservation link or call the hotel directly at 216.413.5000 and ask for the AAAE meeting rate. Cancellation of guaranteed reservations must be received 48 hours prior to arrival in order to avoid a charge equal to one night’s room and tax.

Note: The conference programming ends Wednesday afternoon and there is an optional airport tour Thursday morning.

Book Online

Transportation

The Hilton Cleveland Downtown is located 12 miles from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and a taxi will take approximately 20-25 minutes. Alternatively, Transportation Network Companies (TNC) Uber and Lyft do operate at the airport, as well as light rail, and may be less expensive. Get more information on ground transportation at CLE.

Air Travel

United Airlines and Delta Air Lines have been selected as the official air carriers for this meeting.

United Airlines has been selected as one of the official air carriers for this meeting. You may book online via www.united.com and enter the Offer Code ZRCE214197 in the Offer Code box or call United Reservations Meetings Desk at 800.426.1122 and provide the Z Code ZRCE and Agreement Code 214197. For all tickets issued through United Meetings Reservations Desk, there will be a $25 per ticket service fee collected. This fee is subject to change without notice. Such service fee is nonrefundable and applies to all itineraries, one-way or round-trip. Black-out dates apply.

Delta Air Lines is pleased to offer special discounts for American Association of Airport Executives. Please click here to book your flights. You may also call Delta Meeting Network® at 1.800.328.1111* Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (CT) and refer to Meeting Event Code NY494.

*Please note there is not a service fee for reservations booked and ticketed via our reservation 800 number.

This conference's powerful audience includes:

Airport employees who implement wildlife hazard management
Military and civilian personnel responsible for airfield operations
FAA Certification Inspectors
FAA Environmental Protections Specialists
FAA and Military Air Traffic Control
USDA Wildlife Services personnel
Consultants, contractors, and government employees involved in wildlife hazard management
Pilots, airlines, and aviation stakeholders
Land-use planners
University researchers and students
Waste management operators
Federal, State, and Local wildlife, wetland, or natural resource managers
Anyone interested in controlling conflicts between birds and aviation

Tabletop Exhibits

This three-day conference highlights recent developments and ideas in addressing wildlife hazards to aircraft that occur in the airport environment. As an exhibitor, you will connect with more than 300 industry experts ready and eager to learn more about your products and services.

Download the Exhibit Contract

Sponsorship

This three-day conference highlights recent developments and ideas in addressing wildlife hazards to aircraft that occur in the airport environment. As a sponsor, you will connect with more than 300 industry experts ready and eager to learn more about your products and services.

Sponsorships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so act now before these opportunities are gone! Gain an advantage over the competition before we sell out; sign up to sponsor today.

Download the Sponsor Contract

Events

Tuesday, August 4

Welcome Reception
- Sponsor: $3,000

Continental Breakfast
- Co-Sponsor: $2,300
AM Refreshment Break
- Co-Sponsor: $1,750
Lunch w/Exhibitors
- Co-Sponsor: $3,000
PM Refreshment Break
- Co-Sponsor: $1750

Wednesday, August 5

Continental Breakfast
- Co-Sponsor: $2,300
AM Refreshment Break
- Co-Sponsor: $1,750
Lunch w/Exhibitors
- Co-Sponsor: $3,000
PM Refreshment Break
- Co-Sponsor: $1750

Hospitality Policy

AAAE prohibits any attendee or organization, including sponsors, from holding any promotional, social, meetings, or educational events, during the official dates and times of any AAAE event without prior approval from AAAE. In order to host an outside event, sponsors must comply with the following:

Register all functions with Show Management that you intend to hold in the general vicinity of the host city on the event dates or during the two days leading up to or following the event
Provide Show Management an advance a copy of all invitations or announcements of your function
The dates and times of such functions may not conflict with events (sessions, meals and receptions) on the official event agenda
Any such gatherings should be convened primarily for the benefit of attendee (with at least two-thirds of invitations going to attendees), and such functions may not charge a fee

No exceptions to these policies are permitted. Violations may cause such individuals or organizations to forfeit the privilege of sponsoring, exhibiting, advertising and attending the event and future events.

We’re thrilled to have you join us, and we'd love your help in sharing the excitement. Whether you're a speaker, sponsor, exhibitor, or attendee, your voice plays a key role in building momentum for this year's event. To make it easy, we've put together social media graphics to promote your participation. Here, you'll find a variety of downloadable graphics to share on social media.

Ready to get started? Right-click on the graphic you want, click Open Image in New Tab, and save the photo. If you'd rather use Canva to add your photo and information, click the button below to access the template.

When you post on social media, be sure to tag @aaaedelivers on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X!

Tabletop & Sponsorship Package	Pricing
Exhibit Table and Continental Breakfast Package (Co-Sponsor)	$3,740
Exhibit Table and Lunch Package (Co-Sponsor)	$4,675

U.S. Aviation Wildlife Management Conference

Presented in Partnership with

Hosted By

About the Conference

Who Should Attend?

Keynote Speaker

Carla J. Dove, Ph.D

Conference Agenda

Photo Contest

Photo Contest

Call for Proposals

Registration Fees & Deadlines

2026 REGISTRATION FEES

In U.S. dollars drawn from U.S. banks

Cancellation Policy:

Media Access Policy

Hotel & Travel

Hotel Accommodations

Transportation

Air Travel

Make a Lasting Impression by Sponsoring & Exhibiting!

Tabletop Exhibits

Exhibit Fees

In U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank

On or Before June 19

After June 19

Tabletop & Sponsorship Package

Pricing

Sponsorship

Sponsorship Opportunities

Events

Tuesday, August 4

Wednesday, August 5

Sponsor Items

Other Sponsorships

Thank You To Our Exhibitors & Sponsors

Hospitality Policy

Social Media Kit

Contact Information

U.S. Aviation Wildlife Management Conference

Presented in Partnership with

Hosted By

About the Conference

Who Should Attend?

Keynote Speaker

Carla J. Dove, Ph.D

Conference Agenda

Photo Contest

Photo Contest

Monday, August 3

Tuesday, August 4

Wednesday, August 5

Thursday, August 6

Call for Proposals

Monday, August 19

Tuesday, August 20

Wednesday, August 21

Thursday, August 22

Registration Fees & Deadlines

2026 REGISTRATION FEES

In U.S. dollars drawn from U.S. banks

Cancellation Policy:

Media Access Policy

Hotel & Travel

Hotel Accommodations

Transportation

Air Travel

Make a Lasting Impression by Sponsoring & Exhibiting!

Tabletop Exhibits

Exhibit Fees

In U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank

On or Before June 19

After June 19

Tabletop & Sponsorship Package

Pricing

Sponsorship

Sponsorship Opportunities

Events

Tuesday, August 4

Wednesday, August 5

Sponsor Items

Other Sponsorships

Thank You To Our Exhibitors & Sponsors

Hospitality Policy

Social Media Kit

Contact Information