Grand Forks to host National Association of State Aviation Officials conference in 2026
Sep. 19—GRAND FORKS — The National Association of State Aviation Officials annual conference will be coming to Grand Forks in September 2026.
Visit Greater Grand Forks made the announcement in a release Thursday afternoon and said that it is a significant milestone for both Grand Forks and the state of North Dakota. The conference brings together state, federal and industry aviation leaders from across the country. The only other time the conference was held in North Dakota was in 1994 in Bismarck.
Kyle Wanner, director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, said in a statement that hosting in Grand Forks gives a chance to show the research and advancements being made here to those from across the country.
"For North Dakota, this is more than just an event—it's a celebration of our collective achievements and a testament to the strength, growth, and innovation of our aviation community," Wanner said in the statement. "Our state has long been a national leader in aviation, from the cutting-edge research at the University of North Dakota's John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences to our pioneering work in unmanned aerial systems with the Northern Plains UAS test site."
The annual conference will be held Sept. 12-16, 2026. The conference has occurred annually in various locations throughout the United States since 1931 and is one of the leading aviation industry conferences, according to the release.
Visit Greater Grand Forks Executive Director Julie Rygg said that Grand Forks becoming the host of the 2026 conference is an effort of all the various industry and community players.
"Visit Greater Grand Forks is proud to have worked alongside the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, NASAO, Alerus Center, Grand Forks International Airport, and local hotels, as well as receiving support from the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, UND Aerospace, and the North Dakota Aviation Association, to secure Grand Forks as the host city for the 2026 conference," Rygg said in the release. "The selection of our beautiful community reflects the exceptional facilities, amenities, and service available in the Forks."
NASAO represents the public interest in aviation and airports in the United States by bringing together public and private leaders to discuss and advocate for the American aviation system. The 2024 conference was in Pittsburgh and the 2025 conference will be in Anchorage.
