This year’s Professional Asian Pilots Association (PAPA) expo in Las Vegas (LAS) brought attendees together with the continued goal of blending ambition, community and cultural celebration. Envoy was there as a sponsoring airline to support PAPA’s mission and join in the fun.

Though PAPA began with a small, dedicated group of pilots in 2017, it has now grown into a global network with thousands of members who share the same passion of advancing opportunities for everyone in the friendly skies.

At the expo, aviators at all stages of their careers connected with airline recruiters, explored new opportunities and shared the journeys that led them to the flight deck. Blending professional development with cultural representation, the expo served as a place where aviation enthusiasts from any background could see themselves as part of the industry’s future.

“Learning how to fly alongside my brother and ending up at the same airline together has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said Envoy First Officer Camille Wong. “Coming back to PAPA this year to work with the Envoy recruiting team gives me the chance to inspire future generations and provide the guidance and mentorship that I used to seek as a student pilot.”

In addition to meeting representatives from airlines, schools and other aviation-centered vendors at the expo, attendees also had the chance to dress in their cultural best to attend the Jade Gala. There they enjoyed a dinner and watched performances that both featured staple elements from various Asian cultures.

“PAPA is more than a networking opportunity, it’s a celebration of individualism that highlights each person’s culture and background,” said PAPA Board Member and Director of Marketing and Communications First Officer Harley Jiang. “The conference serves as a melting pot of Asian cultures while creating pathways for individuals to enter the aviation field.”

PAPA also recently launched its youth initiative, Strengthening Our Roots through Aviation (SORA), which aims to inspire the next generation of pilots. To support the program, PAPA created Captain Paw Paw, a tiger plush mascot that resonates across many Asian cultures and serves as a symbolic companion for participants throughout their aviation journeys.

For many attendees, the conversations at this year’s conference went beyond career guidance -they offered mentorship, encouragement and a sense of belonging. As a proud sponsor of PAPA and other industry groups, Envoy takes pride in supporting aspiring aviators as they pursue their goals. We’re already looking forward to PAPA 2027!