We’re excited to officially announce the speaker and workshop schedule for Aviation Expo 2026 Seattle! AE 2026 SEA will feature a strong lineup of aviation creators, industry professionals, pilots, authors, model manufacturers, and airport diorama builders throughout all three marketplace days.
Seminars and workshops will focus on aviation history, diecast collecting, airport diorama building, YouTube/content creation, airline operations, aviation careers, and the future of aviation hobbies and communities.
All seminars and workshops are included with your AE 2026 SEA registration and will take place Thursday through Saturday inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport.
Thursday, July 9
Brian Worthington
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM
Just a Glimpse, Then They Were Gone:
A review of short-lived airlines from around the world featuring airline history, rare carriers, and unique aviation stories. Brian is the author of The Great Airlines Book Series and an expert in airline history.
Brian Keene
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM & 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Airport Diorama Beginner Workshop:
Learn the fundamentals of building realistic airport dioramas including layout planning, realism techniques, materials, and airport scenery. Brian is the owner of AvPro Designs. Brian will have some small diorama boards to give away!
David Velupillai
12:45 PM – 2:15 PM
The Airbus A330/A340 Story:
A look into Airbus’s entry into the long-haul aircraft market and the development of the A330/A340 family. David is a respected aviation expert with years of aviation industry experience.
Todd Michaels
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
From Concept to Collector:
A behind-the-scenes look at how diecast models go from idea to finished product. Todd is a Director of Customer Service at GeminiJets and will discuss model production and industry trends.
Friday, July 10
Bryce Rea (Skylite Productions)
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Building an Aviation Brand on YouTube:
Learn how to grow an aviation-focused channel through content strategy, community building, and audience engagement. Bryce has built one of the fastest-growing aviation YouTube channels in the hobby community.
Brian Keene
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM & 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Airport Diorama Intermediate Workshop:
Expand your airport diorama skills with enhanced realism, layout techniques, airport detailing, and scaling considerations. Brian is the owner of AvPro Designs.
Todd Michaels
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
The Diecast Industry Today:
An overview of current trends, industry challenges, and what collectors can expect moving forward. Todd is a Director of Customer Service at GeminiJets.
Saturday, July 11
Andy Roeske
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
The Power of 3D Printing in Model Aviation:
Discover how 3D printing is transforming airport diorama building and aviation modeling. Andy is the owner of Tarmac Designs.
Brian Keene
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM & 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Airport Diorama Advanced Workshop:
Focus on advanced airport realism, lighting effects, detailed scenery, and high-level airport modeling techniques. Brian is the owner of AvPro Designs.
Connor McCauley
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Building an Aviation Brand in the Digital Era:
Learn how to grow a presence in aviation through content, networking, community building, and consistency. Connor is the creator of CM Aviation, co-founder of Aviation Expo, and Business Operations Coordinator at Tulsa International Airport.
Joe Crawford
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Industry Insights and Aviation Career Pathways:
Gain insight into aviation careers and opportunities within the airline industry. Joe is an Alaska/Hawaiian A330 Captain with years of airline operational experience.
Connor McCauley
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Turning Your Aviation Passion into a Career:
Insight on turning aviation passions into opportunities through aviation networking, content creation, and personal branding. Connor is the creator of CM Aviation, co-founder of Aviation Expo, and Business Operations Coordinator at Tulsa International Airport.
Tours Available to Book
We are also down to our final remaining spaces for many of our AE 2026 SEA tours and aviation experiences.
Current tours available include the Boeing Everett Factory Tour, Boeing Archive Tour, Museum of Flight Tours, Kenmore Air Lake Washington Tours, and optional Kenmore Air radial-engine Beaver flights.
The Boeing Everett Factory Tour includes a visit to the world’s largest building and Future of Flight museum, while the Boeing Archive Tour provides an extremely rare look into Boeing’s historic archives and airline history collections.
Our Kenmore Air experiences will allow attendees to explore one of the Pacific Northwest’s most unique seaplane operations, including optional flights aboard the legendary DHC-2 radial-engine Beaver aircraft.
Hotel Booking
Our host hotel is the DoubleTree by Hilton Seattle Airport, located directly next to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Discounted AE 2026 SEA hotel rates start at $195/night for standard rooms and $225/night for limited airport-view rooms.
Momentum for AE 2026 SEA continues to build rapidly, and we’re incredibly excited to welcome aviation enthusiasts from across the United States and around the world to Seattle this July.
If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please email us at info@aviationexpo.org. Be sure to follow Aviation Expo on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms for additional updates and announcements.
Sincerely,
Your Aviation Expo 2026 SEA Team
Steve Cosgrove, Chris Slimmer, & Connor McCauley
