Garden City, NY, September 8, 2026 - The Cradle of Aviation Museum will host its 23rd Annual Air & Space Gala on Thursday, November 12, 2026. This year’s theme, From Orbit to Runway: The Future of Flight in Motion, will recognize leaders whose work spans space exploration, aviation, and the future of air travel.
This year’s honorees are William Shepherd, NASA astronaut, Navy SEAL, and Commander of Expedition 1, the first crew to live and work aboard the International Space Station; Robin Hayes, Chairman and CEO of Airbus in North America; and Steve Thody, CEO of JFK Millennium Partners, the Vantage company managing JFK International Airport’s Terminal 7 and redeveloping the new Terminal 6.
Proceeds from the Gala support the Museum’s historical preservation and educational programs, including STEM programs for students, partnerships with local schools, and aerospace workforce development initiatives.
Event Details:
Thursday, November 12, 2026
6 pm – 10 pm
Cradle of Aviation Museum
Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Garden City NY
Tickets, tables, sponsorships, and tribute journal opportunities are available through the Museum’s Gala webpage.
