36th Annual Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee Banquet

Please join us for a wonderful evening honoring our 2026 Inductees!

Socialize with your Minnesota aviation friends, enjoy a lovely dinner and an exciting award presentation featuring Al Malmberg, World of Aviation personality on AM 1280! This unforgettable evening will be filled with inspiring stories, camaraderie, and a delicious banquet. Also, you won't want to miss our Silent Auction! Please join us and help celebrate the following outstanding individuals!

The 2026 Inductees are:

Eugene "Gene" DePalma, Robert J. Pond, John R. Sandberg, Conrad "Butch" Maxwell, James A. Olsen, Charles "Chuck" Doyle, Jr., Cora Mae Fuller - Pioneer Inductee

in addition:

• The Best Aviation Writing Award will be presented to - Dick Phillips, Mark Phillips and John Dienst for the book “The Last of the Wild Horses”.
• The Minnesota Aviation Artist of the Year Award will be presented to Corban Lundborg, a MN native who is an artist, storyteller, and USAF combat photographer.

A Delicious Three Course Meal will be served :

Menu - Choice of Lemon Rosemary Chicken Breast, Applewood Brown Sugar Smoked Pork Loin (gluten-free option) or Chef's Choice Vegetarian accompanied by House Salad, Rosemary Lyonnaise Potatoes, Sweet Baby Carrots with French Haricot Verts and Dessert of Strawberry Chantilly.

• Attire - Coat and Tie/Cocktail Attire
• Social Hour - 4:45 with Cash Bar
• Dinner - 6 pm Induction Ceremony follows dinner

When purchasing banquet tickets, please indicate your choice of pork, chicken or vegetarian on the order form and if you wish to be seated with one of the inductee groups or with any other specific attendees. The banquet tables hold 10 guests. Why not buy a whole table and invite your friends and family!

All seating is assigned and there are no ticket sales at the door. All seating is done on a first-come first-serve basis. Reservation deadline for inductee group and specific seating requests is March 25, 2026 and after that date we may not be able to grant your requests to sit in specific sections or with guests who have already registered. We do have lots of seats however, and general reservation deadline is April 5, 2026. We encourage you to make your reservation early!

The Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame could not exist without your support! When purchasing your banquet tickets, please consider including a charitable donation with your reservation. All donations help fund our scholarships and Hall of Fame operating costs and any amount is appreciated! The MN Aviation Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and all donations are deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION and YOUR TICKET PURCHASE!

Don't miss Minnesota's premier aviation event on April 11, 2026! Mark your calendars and join us for an incredible night of aviation greatness!