Las Vegas, NV, USA — April 13, 2026 — Commercial UAV Expo, the world's leading commercial drone trade show and conference, has announced the Opening Keynote for the 2026 event: "The View From the Field: What Operators, Pilots, and Fleet Managers Are Saying About the Commercial Drone Industry." The Opening Keynote will take place on September 1 as part of Commercial UAV Expo 2026, held September 1-3 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV. The session will spotlight findings from a forthcoming comprehensive industry survey being conducted by Commercial UAV News and Pilot Institute.

The State of the Industry Survey 2026 will gather insights directly from drone pilots, fleet managers, operations leads, and regulatory compliance professionals working on the front lines of commercial UAS operations. The Opening Keynote will bring those findings to life, offering attendees an unfiltered look at the trends, frustrations, and opportunities shaping the industry today.

Matt Collins, Content Manager at Commercial UAV News, will present highlights from the research before being joined by Greg Reverdiau, Co-Founder of Pilot Institute, for a wide-ranging conversation about what the data means for the commercial drone industry's trajectory. Topics will span regulatory hurdles, hardware procurement challenges, workforce development, and the future of commercial drone operations.

"This keynote will put voices of UAV operators at the center of the conversation," said Greg Reverdiau, Co-Founder of Pilot Institute. "We want to hear directly from the people doing the work every day. Their perspective is invaluable as the industry navigates evolving regulations, shifting supply chains, and new technological capabilities. I encourage every pilot and operator to participate when the survey is launched. Your input will directly shape what we present at Commercial UAV Expo and help the entire industry understand where we need to focus.”

"This survey is an opportunity to move beyond speculation and bring real data to the conversation about where the commercial drone industry stands today," said Matt Collins, Content Manager at Commercial UAV News. "We want to understand where operators see opportunity, where they're hitting roadblocks, and what they believe needs to change. The findings from this survey will set the stage for meaningful discussions throughout the entire event."

The State of the Industry Survey 2026 will launch in the coming weeks and cover critical topics including the FAA's proposed Part 108 BVLOS framework, the impact of the FCC Covered List on fleet procurement, adoption of autonomous and AI-assisted capabilities, airspace access challenges, workforce development, data security concerns, and the overall business outlook for commercial drone operations. Industry professionals interested in participating should visit www.expouav.com/attend to receive updates on the survey launch and event news.

Pilot Institute is an Event Partner for Commercial UAV Expo 2026 and will host The Pilot Hub on the show floor, offering daily expert talks, community connections, and guidance on FAA certifications, waivers, and career paths.

To learn more about the Opening Keynote, visit www.expouav.com/keynotes

Registration is now open; visit www.expouav.com to learn more and register.