The commercial drone industry has been one of the fastest growing industries of the past decade. Drones are being relied on for commercial enterprises daily now. With so many drone platforms, models, uses, and regulations, having a way to stay informed on drone progression has also become important. From October 5-7, 2015 the first ever Commercial UAV Expo was held in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Organized by Diversified Communications, a company dedicated to providing face to face market information events, the expo was a great success. Since then Commercial UAV Expo and Diversified Communications, both based out of Portland, ME, have been hosting events for drone industry professionals every year.

The conferences are normally held in Las Vegas, NV, and draw huge crowds. As explained on their website, “Commercial UAV Expo Americas is the definitive event for professionals integrating or operating commercial UAS. With top-notch education, over 3,000 attendees, and more exhibitors than any other commercial drone event, it’s the best opportunity of the year for anyone who needs to keep up with commercial UAS technology, trends, and developments.” Visiting the Exhibit Hall is free and open to the public. Here visitors can see some of the latest software, hardware, services, and components from some 200 vendors. Beyond the Exhibit Hall are ticketed events that can give industry insiders the necessary edge to grow their businesses. These events can be rather pricey, $465 for a single day pass, or $595 for a full conference pass. Then there are add ons like airfare, hotel, food, and special events like an outdoor flying demo and a poolside happy hour. However this year, things are going to be a bit different.

In anticipation of the 2020 show, slated to be held September 15-17 in Las Vegas, Diversified Communications released a statement on June 2 regarding forum changes. Group Director at Diversified Communications and the expo’s coordinator, Lisa Murray said, “Due to ongoing health and safety concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the commercial drone community we serve have made it clear that it would be impossible to hold the live event as originally planned. In the interests of ensuring our community still has an opportunity to learn from and connect with each other, we have reimagined Commercial UAV Expo Americas as a fully virtual event taking place September 15-17, 2020.” While many social events have been canceled or postponed, this virtual expo will be a first of it’s kind.

Lisa went on to say, “We have stayed in close contact with our customers over the last few months. A huge thank you to all of them. I cannot say enough about their support and collaboration with our team during this time. What is clear is that they want and need the business networking and education normally provided by our event, but travel bans and other restrictions were going to prevent them from attending. We decided to put a stake in the ground and make immediate plans to ensure the broadest participation possible by making the event virtual now. Where a virtual event may not have appealed to many just a few months ago, the world has changed. People are yearning for connections and education. We are excited to offer the key benefits they expect from us: critical, timely education delivered by industry leaders, opportunities to network and engage with peers, and the ability to learn about the newest technology in the space.”

One main point of discussion over the course of the expo will touch upon how the world has changed and how drones fit into this new landscape. In a world that will have to rely on continued social distancing practices, drones will become of even greater use in the commercial market. Finding ways to use drones and introduce them to a broader public will become a necessity. The virtual event will benefit drone professionals in the fields of energy and utilities, construction, infrastructure and transportation, forestry and agriculture, mining and aggregates, mapping and surveying, security, public safety, and emergency services. The event will also feature a very exciting keynote speaker, Stephen M. Dickson. With almost 40 years of experience in the field of aviation, Mr. Dickson is now the Administrator of the FAA. With all the changes the world is facing, FAA regulations will also be rapidly changing. Mr. Dickson will be sure to have some of the most valuable insight into the future of drones in the country, information that will be vital for progression.

While everyone involved with the expo is disappointed that they will not be able to meet in person, it is a testament to their industry commitment that they have found a way to carry on in the current atmosphere. The following year’s conference has already been scheduled for September 7-9, 2021 at the Mirage in Las Vegas, and as Lisa said, “We look forward to the opportunity to connect in person with our customers. In the meantime, we will be their virtual connection to the drone industry.” She went on to say, “So much has happened in the drone space since the last edition of Commercial UAV Expo Americas. People need an update on the latest developments and the impact on their business. While restrictions on travel are in place, restrictions on business are not. We are dedicated to bringing major stakeholders together to continue to move the industry forward during a particularly important time for drone industry expansion.”