Past Events
Explore the rich history of ADF events through our archive of past gatherings, featuring highlights, key takeaways, and memorable moments from the dispatcher community.
2023 Events Highlights
ADF Annual Summit 2023
October 16-18, 2023 < /dev/null | Phoenix, AZ
Theme: “Safety First: Excellence in Operations”
Event Highlights
- 485 Attendees – Record-breaking participation
- Keynote: FAA Administrator on NextGen implementation
- 42 Educational Sessions covering weather, technology, and safety
- Excellence Awards presented to 8 outstanding dispatchers
- New Initiative: Launch of ADF Mentorship Program
Key Takeaways: Enhanced collaboration between carriers on safety initiatives, new weather analysis techniques for monsoon operations, and regulatory updates on flight time limitations.
Technology in Dispatch Conference
April 25-26, 2023 | San Francisco, CA
- 175 attendees
- Focus on AI and machine learning applications
- Vendor demos of next-gen flight planning tools
- Panel on cybersecurity in operations
International Operations Symposium
March 13-14, 2023 | Miami, FL
- 120 attendees
- ICAO regulatory updates
- Oceanic procedures workshop
- ETOPS best practices sharing
2022 Event Archives
ADF Annual Summit 2022
October 10-12, 2022 | Orlando, FL
Theme: “Resilience and Recovery: Building Back Stronger”
The 2022 Summit marked our return to full in-person gatherings after the pandemic. With 425 attendees, the event focused on lessons learned, operational resilience, and workforce development in the post-COVID era.
Notable Sessions:
- Mental health and dispatcher wellness
- Remote dispatch operations
- Staffing challenges and solutions
- Return to profitability strategies
Award Recipients 2022
- Dispatcher of the Year: Sarah Johnson, Delta Air Lines
- Safety Excellence: Michael Chen, United Airlines
- Innovation Award: Team Southwest Airlines
- Lifetime Achievement: Robert Williams, American Airlines (Ret.)
Regional Meeting Highlights
| Region | 2023 Meetings | Total Attendance | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast | 4 meetings | 285 | Winter ops, NYC airspace redesign |
| Southeast | 4 meetings | 340 | Hurricane preparedness, ATL efficiency |
| Midwest | 4 meetings | 220 | Convective weather, ORD modernization |
| Central | 4 meetings | 380 | Severe weather, fuel planning |
| Mountain | 3 meetings | 145 | High altitude ops, winter weather |
| Southwest | 4 meetings | 165 | Heat operations, water restrictions |
| Pacific | 4 meetings | 290 | Oceanic procedures, LAX special ops |
| Northwest | 4 meetings | 125 | Mountain weather, SEA traffic flow |
Special Recognition Events
50th Anniversary Celebration
November 2021
ADF celebrated 50 years of advancing the dispatcher profession with a special virtual gala featuring:
- Historical timeline presentation
- Founding member interviews
- Evolution of dispatch technology showcase
- Recognition of 50 influential dispatchers
Women in Dispatch Summit
March 2023
First-ever focused event celebrating and supporting women in the dispatch profession:
- 85 attendees from 12 airlines
- Career development workshops
- Leadership panel discussions
- Launch of mentorship network
Access Event Resources
ADF members have exclusive access to past event materials including:
- Presentation slides and handouts
- Recorded keynote speeches
- Workshop materials
- Photo galleries
- Best practices documents
- Regulatory update summaries
- Vendor contact information
- CE credit documentation
Event Statistics & Impact
3,500+
Total Attendees
Across all 2023 events
180
Educational Sessions
Delivered by experts
45
Airlines Represented
From 6 countries
98%
Satisfaction Rate
From event surveys
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