The rapid evolution of drone technology has not only captured the imagination of enthusiasts but has also revolutionised industries across the globe.
From aerial photography and surveying to agriculture and emergency response, drones have found their place as versatile tools in various sectors.
To delve into the exciting realm of unmanned aerial vehicles, attending major drone events, conferences, and trade shows becomes an indispensable opportunity for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
As we venture into the year, a plethora of drone-related gatherings beckon, promising a glimpse into the latest advancements, emerging trends, and groundbreaking applications within this dynamic industry.
These events serve as platforms where experts, innovators, and enthusiasts converge, forging connections, sharing knowledge, and fueling the future of drone technology.
In this comprehensive exploration, we embark on a journey to uncover some of the most influential drone events, conferences, and trade shows taking place around the world.
Commercial UAV Expo
Date: Annual event, next edition scheduled for September 5-7, 2023
Location: Caesars Forum, Las Vegas, United States
Description: The Commercial UAV Expo is a leading global event for the commercial drone sector. Organised by Diversified Communications, the expo brings together professionals, industry leaders, and innovators in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The event is dedicated to the commercial drone market, with a focus on process, progress, and innovation in drone technology.
Who Is Attending: The Commercial UAV Expo attracts a diverse range of exhibitors from around the world. The exhibitor list for the upcoming event can be found on the official website.
Commercial UAV Expo 2023 Program Overview: The next edition of the expo is scheduled for September 5-7, 2023, at the Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, USA. The event will feature an exhibition, a conference program, outdoor flying demonstrations, and various networking opportunities. The expo will highlight the latest advancements in commercial UAV technology, with a focus on applications in industries such as construction, energy, agriculture, and public safety.
Keynote speakers and the conference program for the event will be announced closer to the event date. The program will include panel discussions covering topics such as drone regulations, data management, and advancements in drone hardware and software.
Website: For more information about the Commercial UAV Expo, visit the official event website at https://www.expouav.com
XPONENTIAL
Date: Annual event usually held between April and May
Location: Varies each year within the United States
Description: XPONENTIAL is a renowned trade show organised by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) and Messe Dusseldorf North America.
This event focuses on unmanned systems, including drones, and brings together professionals, researchers, and industry leaders.
It offers educational sessions, exhibits, and networking opportunities, and showcases the latest advancements in drone technology.
Who Is Attending: There are currently over 600 exhibitors that are registered to exhibit at next year’s Xponential. Some of the exhibitors are A2Z Drone Delivery, Arrive (Formerly Dronedek), Colorado Drone Chargers, CSU Drone Center, CS Group Canada, and FairFleet – Drone Solution Platform, among others.
Xponential 2023 Program Overview: This year’s program was themed, THE BLUEPRINT FOR AUTONOMY, which took place in May in Denver, USA. The conference featured over 600 exhibitors and drew over 8,500 attendees from around the world.
The event showcased the latest advancements in unmanned systems and robotics technology, with a focus on applications in defence, commercial, and civil markets.
Keynote speakers like ZACH AABERG (Senior Data Scientist for Esri Professional Services), Amanda Armistead (Senior Manager, Public Policy Amazon), Jon Damush (CEO of Iris Automation), Jonathan Daniels (CEO of Praxis Aerospace Concepts International, Inc.) and many more as well as panel discussions that cover topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and regulatory issues.
Website: To get more details about AUVSI XPONENTIAL, visit the official event website at www.xponential.org.
DroneX
Date: Annual event usually held in September
Location: London, United Kingdom
Description: DroneX is Europe’s largest business event dedicated to the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) industry. The event provides a platform for professionals, industry leaders, and innovators in the field of UAVs to connect, learn, and discover the latest advancements in drone technology. The event focuses on the future of flight, commercial applications, emergency services, and military & defence sectors.
Who Is Attending: There are currently over 300 exhibitors that are registered to exhibit at this year’s DroneX event. Some of the exhibitors that will be present this year are London Defense R&D Ltd., IDRONECT, Worthington Sharpe, Wing, The ePlane Company among others. There will also be over 150 seminars and more than 3000 visitors.
DroneX Overview: This year’s program will take place at ExCel Exhibition Centre, Sandstone Lane, London. The conference featured over 300 exhibitors and drew over 3000 attendees from around the world.
The event showcased the latest advancements in unmanned systems and robotics technology, with a focus on applications in defence, commercial, and civil markets.
Keynote speakers like Alan Hicks (Manna Drone Delivery) who’s speaking about Manna Drone Delivery, Hans-Georg (CycloTech GmbH) who’s speaking about CycloRotors as Propulsion System for the Next Generation of Aircraft, and Andreas Perotti (EHang) who’s speaking about Advanced Air Mobility – The future of transport, and many more as well as panel discussions that cover topics from various sectors such as the future of flight, commercial, emergency services, and military & defence.
Website: To get more details about DroneX, visit the official event website at dronexpo.co.uk.
Energy Drone & Robotics Summit
Date: Annual event usually held in the middle of the year.
Location: Woodlands Waterway Marriott, Houston, Tx.
Description: The Energy Drone & Robotics Summit stands as the premier global gathering dedicated solely to the exploration of unmanned and autonomous systems, automation, and data/AI within the energy and industrial sectors.
With an unwavering focus on the business and technological aspects, this summit has become the largest event of its kind worldwide. Bringing together over 1500 esteemed leaders in energy, industrial robotics, drones, and data, the summit serves as a pivotal platform for fostering connections and exchanging knowledge amidst the rapid expansion of the energy industry.
Through three power-packed days, attendees engage in meaningful discussions, innovative showcases, and invaluable networking opportunities, driving progress and shaping the future of this dynamic sector.
Who Is Attending: There are currently over 1500 exhibitors that are registered to exhibit at this year’s Energy Drone & Robotics Summit. Some of the exhibitors that will be present this year are Lori DeMatteis (Iris Automation), Zacc Dukowitz (Flyability), John McBride (Autel Robotics) , Michael Hill (Volatus Aerospace) among others. There will also be over 12,000 community members in attendance worldwide.
Summit Overview: The event showcased the latest advancements in unmanned systems and robotics technology, with a focus on applications in defence, commercial, and civil markets. They help companies reach the hard to find real world buyers in energy and engineering robotics/drone, data and AI.
Keynote speakers like Thomas Adams (AeroVigilance CEO); speaking about A Holistic Approach to Securing Energy Infrastructure C-UAS for Critical Infrastructure, Samuel Ahonen (CSC Leasing Company Program Manager – HaaS & Vendor Programs) speaking about Driving Revenue Through An “As A Service” Model, and Matt Alberts HUVRdata (Director) speaking about the Benefits & Efficiencies of Internal Drone Inspection Programs, Real World Results/Insights from Multiple National Site Trials for Methane Monitoring, Subsea Inspections: Making Data Workflows Simple, Efficient & Actionable, Making a Digital Twin Operationally Useful, and many more as well as panel discussions that cover topics relating to energy and engineering robotics/drone, data and AI.
Website: You can find information about Energy Drone & Robotics Summit and its drone-related exhibits on their official website at sfg.swoogo.com.
Japan Drone
Date: Annual event usually held in the middle of the year.
Location: Chiba, Japan
Description: Marking its 6th edition, this remarkable event has evolved alongside the continuous advancement of the drone industry since its inception in 2016.
Proudly standing as Japan’s pioneering expo dedicated to the thriving consumer and commercial drone market, it serves as a dynamic platform for various drone-related industries, including innovative start-up companies, to engage in fruitful business collaborations.
With a dual purpose of facilitating practical negotiations and promoting Japanese drone technology on a global scale, this event showcases cutting-edge developments while fostering international dissemination. Join us in celebrating the growth and achievements of the drone industry at this premier gathering.
Who Is Attending: This event is a collaboration between Development Bank of Japan Inc., Nikkan Jidosha Shimbun and Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting LLC. There are currently over 250 exhibitors that are registered to exhibit yearly. Some of the exhibitors are Aerosense, Blue innovation Co., Ltd., Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Japan UAV Association, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., among others.
Japan Drone Program Overview: This year’s program titled Japan Drone 2023 ー Expo for Commercial UAS market. The conference featured over 250 exhibitors and drew over 18,000 attendees from around the world.
The event showcased the latest advancements in unmanned systems and robotics technology, with a focus on applications in defence, commercial, and civil markets.
Keynote speakers will be present from companies like Japan UAV Association (JUAV), Secure Drone Consortium, Japan Radio Control Model Industrial Association (JRM), Drone Pictures and Creators Association (DPCA), Japan UTM Consortium (JUTM), Japan Aviation Academy, Japan Architectural Drone Association (JADA), Japan Deep Learning Association (JDLA), Drone Association for Social Innovation in Japan, Driving School Drone Consortium as well as panel discussions that cover topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and regulatory issues.
Website: To find out more about Japan Drone, you can visit their official website at ssl.japan-drone.com.
International Drone Show
Date: Annual event usually held in the third quarter of the year.
Location: Odense, Denmark
Description: This exceptional show offers an exclusive opportunity to present your cutting-edge drone technology and deliver live drone flights or demonstrations that highlight the unique value your product or service brings to specific sectors or segments within your target clientele.
The event will showcase thrilling flight demonstrations, and provide 20 exhibitor spaces and 10 dedicated spaces for innovative startups.
Additionally, a new lounge area will create a conducive environment for informal meetings, fostering networking and collaboration. Join us for this exciting drone event, packed with immersive experiences and numerous attractions that go beyond expectations.
Who Is Attending: Experience new drone technologies in action, network and hear talks from some of the biggest players in Europe’s drone industry at the International Drone Show (IDS) on 29 August 2023 at HCA Airport in Odense, Denmark. The conference is themed around Legislation and Cooperation, Security and Defence, Use Cases & New Technologies. There will be over 200 exhibitors that are registered to exhibit yearly. Some of the exhibitors are Air Plate SDU, ProTotal DAMVIG, Sky-Watch, Drone Volt, MyDefence, Sky Level, ODU, Nordic Wing, Scandinavian Avionics, Trafikstyrelsen, etc.
Program Overview: This year’s event will feature: talks and workshops covering the latest drone tech trends, Live flight demonstrations expo area where companies and organisations showcase solutions and research, matchmaking sessions with industry peers and experts , panel discussions with industry experts on the latest drone developments, pre-event for international companies, networking opportunities including after-show dinner. The conference featured over 200 exhibitors and drew over 5000 attendees from around the world.
Keynote speakers will be present from great individuals like Søren Elmer (CEO Odense Robotics), Lars Michael Larsen (Head of UAS Denmark Testcenter), Kay M. Schaumann, (CEO Drone Industry Insights), Anders Martinsen (CEO UAS Norway), Lars Korsholm (Head of Division CAA Denmark), Pasi Nikama (Senior Vice President CMO & CCO Finntraffic), Even Birkeland (Flight Operations Inspector CAA Norway), Jesper Skou (Co-Founder and CEO Skypuzzler), and many more as well as panel discussions that cover topics such as The current state of the global commercial drone market, A status on integration of drones in the Nordic Airspace, Scaling the Drone Industry with Digital Air Traffic Control, Empowering drone pilots, through digital mission planning in Plan2fly, Arctic opportunities and that’s just to mention a few.
Website: To find out more about the International Drone Show, you can visit their official website at www.odenserobotics.dk.
Shenzhen International UAV Expo
Date: The event is typically held annually, with the 2023 edition scheduled for June 2-4.
Location: Shenzhen, China
Description: The Shenzhen International UAV Expo is the largest drone exhibition in China, attracting more than 400 exhibitors and over 30,000 visitors from around the world. The expo combines commercialization, professionalism, and internationalization, showcasing the latest technological achievements in the world of drones. It provides an optimal platform for both Chinese and foreign enterprises to develop the regional market.
Who Is Attending: The expo attracts a diverse audience, including regulatory authorities like CAAC and Ministry of Public Security, outstanding entrepreneurs, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China, the Air Traffic Control Commission, and other administrative departments. Some of the exhibitors include major players in the UAV industry such as DJI, EHang, MMC, JTT, Terra Drone, XAG, EHANG, Yuneec, Autel Robotics, etc.
Program Overview: The expo covers discussions on the development trend and advanced technology of the UAV industry. It provides an “All in one” trading platform for manufacturers, purchasers, and governments to accelerate project cooperation and the overseas market expenditure for outstanding UAV brands. The event also features an exciting FPV drone racing event – GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Marco Greater Bay Area) Teens Drone Racing Championship.
Keynote speakers: The expo attracts experts from all over the world, including the USA, Canada, Russia, Germany, France, Australia, Singapore, Israel, Japan, Korea, India, Thailand, and so on. Specific speakers for the 2023 edition have not been announced yet.
Website: To find out more about the Shenzhen International UAV Expo, you can visit their official website at http://china-drone.com.cn/.
Conclusion
No matter your location, whether in the US, UK, EU, or beyond, the diverse range of expos and conventions ensures abundant opportunities to explore.
These drone industry events serve as invaluable platforms to glean knowledge and connect with industry experts, providing an extraordinary avenue to expand your understanding, network, and skill set.
Now, the question remains: which shows will you mark on your calendar?
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