Advisory Board Set for Commercial UAV Expo Americas September 7-9, 2021 in Las Vegas
23 experts have been tapped to help craft critical programming for commercial UAS end-users

Las Vegas, NV – March 4, 2021 – Organizers of the seventh annual Commercial UAV Expo Americas, the leading commercial drone event in North America, have announced an impressive list of influential leaders in the drone industry who will be participating on the 2021 event’s Advisory Board.  The Advisory Board is responsible for recommending conference topics and speakers, reviewing submitted abstracts, consulting on the program, and acting as a resource to develop different aspects of the event. The 2021 event will take place September 7-9, 2021 at The Mirage in Las Vegas.

“The Commercial UAV Expo Americas’ Advisory board is comprised of UAS specialists and industry leaders who will help craft programming and deliver critical insights at the most important commercial UAS event of 2021,” said Lee Corkhill, Group Director at Diversified Communications, organizer of the event. “The 2021 Board includes members from AT&T, CNN, DroneAnalyst, Skydio, Skyward, A Verizon company, Turner Mining Group, Wing, Xcel Energy and more, and represents a mix of key market vertical players, top vendors and regulatory leaders who are experts in the most pressing issues facing drone technology today.  Our board is at the top of their field and they are ready to bring their connections and commitment to delivering the best conference and expo the market has ever seen.”

 Members of the 2021 Commercial UAV Expo Americas Advisory Board include:

• Greg Agvent, Senior Director, CNN
• David Benowitz, Head of Research, DroneAnalyst
• Robert Blair, Owner, Three Canyon Farms
• Lisa Ellman, Executive Director, Commercial Drone Alliance
• Richard Fields, Battalion Chief, Los Angeles Fire Department
• Dyan Gibbens, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Trumbull Unmanned
• Shayne Gill, Program Director, AASHTO
• Lewis Graham, President & Chief Technical Officer, GeoCue Group, Inc.
• James Grimsley, Executive Director, Advanced Technology Initiatives Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
• Brendan Groves, Head of Regulatory and Policy Affairs, Skydio, Inc.
• Grant Guillot, Partner and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Team Leader, Adams and Reese LLP
• David Hansell, Global Head of Aviation, Regulation and Policy, Loon LLC
• Thomas Haun, Chief Operating Officer, Turner Mining Group
• Ethan Hunt, Principal Technical Program Manager, Drone Operations, AT&T Mobility Services
• Grant Jordan, Chief Executive Officer, SkySafe
• Roxana Kennedy, Chief, Chula Vista Police Department
• Eileen Lockhart, Program Manager Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Xcel Energy
• Robert McCoy, Manager, Quality Assurance, Crown Castle
• Jessica Moody, Director of Marketing & Communications, Skyward, A Verizon company
• Lia Reich, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist, Wing
• Todd Schlekeway, President & Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Tower Erectors (NATE)
• Christopher Todd, Executive Director, Airborne International Response Team (AIRT)
• Gretchen West, President & Chief Executive Officer, Schiebel Aircraft

Bios may be found here.

The last live edition of Commercial UAV Expo in 2019 boasted 3,100 attendees from 54 countries, and 260 booths of best-in-class UAS solutions—more than any other commercial drone event. "Commercial UAV Expo is the capstone event in the commercial drone industry. This is the room where it happens--the place where key policy makers offer insights on the future of regulations, business leaders share the secrets of their success, and industry players at all levels can connect in ways that advance their businesses and the industry as a whole. It's an event you can't afford to miss,” said Brendan Groves of Skydio.

After taking place as a virtual event in 2020, Commercial UAV Expo Americas returns to a live format event taking place September 7-9, 2021, with pre-conference programming and workshops on Tuesday September 7 followed by conference programming and exhibits on Wednesday September 8 and Thursday September 9.

The Advisory Board will curate extensive programming, offering both general sessions and breakout sessions that delve deeply into UAS for specific vertical industries.  Vertical industry sessions focus on construction; energy & utilities; forestry & agriculture; infrastructure & transportation; mining & aggregates; security; and surveying & mapping.  “What I value the most about this conference is the focus on drone technology for business purposes. This isn't about the consumer; it’s about real-world use-cases businesses are leveraging today. Attendees won't just see raw technology, but where it can have a meaningful impact on their businesses”, said Thomas Haun of Turner Mining Group. Hot topics such as regulatory updates, safety, and training issues, BVLOS, the future of robotics and product innovations will also be covered, arming the skilled drone professional with the information and critical insights they need to move their business forward. In addition, AIRT Airborne International Response Team (AIRT), will again hold its DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit for law enforcement, fire and rescue, and other public safety professionals as part of Commercial UAV Expo Americas.

Additional features of the programming are vendor-delivered Product Previews, Exhibition Theater Programming, and live Outdoor Drone Demonstrations.

The event draws vertical industry end-users from across North America and around the world. “Commercial UAV Expo America is unique in that we’re able to attract highly qualified vertical market buyers to our events.” said Corkhill. “Our content and exhibit floor are developed with the large enterprise end-user/asset owner in mind. Our beginnings in surveying and mapping events more than 15 years ago have enabled us to reach professionals in industries including energy and utilities, infrastructure and transportation, construction, surveying and mapping, and more.” 

In addition to the extensive conference program, Commercial UAV Expo Americas offers the leading show floor with more exhibitors than any other commercial UAS event, featuring best in class solutions that focus on commercial drone applications. Manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers offering the latest and most innovative solutions on the marketplace will be exhibiting.

Registration will be available in June. Commercial drone professionals are encouraged to register early for the best conference pricing. Exhibit-only passes are free in advance of the event.

“In a year that saw many sectors struggle due to lockdowns, quarantines, and economic hardships, the commercial UAV industry vigorously demonstrated its resilience and adaptability. From groundbreaking UAS deliveries to advanced emergency response applications, the public has come to not only accept but appreciate the benefits drones are uniquely cable of providing. Now the time has come for the boldest and brightest minds in the industry to reunite in person at the Commercial UAV Expo to celebrate and facilitate the continued expansion of this game-changing technology” said Grant Guillot of Adams and Reese LLP.

About Commercial UAV Expo Americas
Commercial UAV Expo Americas, presented by Commercial UAV News, is an international conference and expo exclusively focused on commercial UAS integration and operation covering industries including Construction; Energy & Utilities; Forestry & Agriculture; Infrastructure & Transportation; Mining & Aggregates; Public Safety & Emergency Services; Security; and Surveying & Mapping. It takes place 7-9 September 2021 at The Mirage in Las Vegas. The next edition of its European sister event will take place December 7-9, 2021 at the RAI Amsterdam as part of Amsterdam Drone Week. For more information, visit www.expouav.com and www.expouav.com/europe.

Commercial UAV Expo Americas is produced by Diversified Communications’ technology portfolio which also includes Commercial UAV Expo Europe; Commercial UAV News; Geo Week comprised of the International Lidar Mapping Forum, SPAR 3D Expo & Conference, AEC Next Technology Expo & Conference; Geo Week ENewsletter, SPAR 3D ENewsletter, AEC ENewsletter. For more information about exhibiting at Commercial UAV Expo, visit www.expouav.com/exhibition/ or contact Katherine Dow, Sales Manager, at  kdow@divcom.com or +1.207-842-5497. For attending information, visit www.expouav.com or email  info@expouav.com.