In just one week from when this is being published on August 26, professionals and leaders from across the commercial UAV industry will be together in Las Vegas for the annual Commercial UAV Expo, taking place September 2-4 at Caesar’s Forum. Over the last month-plus here at Commercial UAV News, we have been previewing some of the sessions that will be featured on the conference program, covering topics cutting across industry, focusing on new regulations, and featuring both presentations and panel discussions. For a more comprehensive roundup of those sessions, you can check out our LinkedIn newsletter. Additionally, this year will include new roundtable discussions, giving attendees the chance to come together in a more interactive setting, covering a number of important topics. Again, we have a more detailed roundup of these sessions over on LinkedIn.

With all of this coverage around the conference program, though, I felt it was worth talking a little bit more about the rest of the event. We are extremely excited to sit in on many of the sessions throughout the week, and to moderate a selection of sessions as well, but there is just as much excitement for many of the other aspects of the week to come. So, here are three more reasons beyond the conference programming that I am excited to get to Vegas next week.

Walking the Exhibit Hall Floor

Although this will be my first year attending Commercial UAV Expo as the portfolio’s content manager, it will certainly not be my first time attending the event in general. Every year, being able to walk the exhibit hall floor is one of my favorite parts of being at Caesar’s Forum. This year, more than 200 of the leading companies and organizations from across the industry will be on hand, showing off their latest products and services. Being able to see all of this incredible technology in one place is a unique aspect of this event, and that alone is a reason for those in the sector to make their way to the event.

Of course, it’s not just seeing the products at the booths that make the exhibit hall floor special. This is also the place where some of the best conversations from throughout the week take place. Representatives from exhibiting companies and organizations are available to answer questions and just talk about the industry as a whole at every booth on the floor. And of course, the exhibit hall floor is the most likely place to run into industry colleagues whom you may only see this one time of year to catch up both professionally and personally. Most of my best conversations at every event take place on the exhibit hall floor.

Finally, while we’re not talking as much about the conference programming in this space, I’d be remiss not to mention the tracks of content that will be taking place on the exhibit hall floor and are available to those with exhibit hall-only passes. That includes the content being put together by our partners at Pilot Institute, which will take place at the Pilot Hub. The full list of content available for exhibit hall-only pass holders features presentations, roundtables, and panel discussions.

Networking Opportunities

We talked a little bit about the conversations that take place every year at shows like Commercial UAV Expo in the section above, but it truly is one of the biggest reasons to go to these shows and why in-person events are still valuable experiences. You can listen to presentations on a webinar, but you don’t get to have the same follow-up conversations with speakers, and you certainly don’t get the random conversations throughout the venue that can turn into long-term partnerships or other business opportunities.

Networking at Commercial UAV Expo can happen both formally and informally. As we covered earlier this week, there will be a “Flash Mob” event taking place on September 1, the eve of the event. Furthermore, all three days of this year’s show will finish up with a happy hour on the exhibit hall floor, featuring food and drink and plenty of time to catch up with industry colleagues while meeting new ones. These are just the formal opportunities, too. In the nights following the show days, attendees will be gathering across bars and restaurants throughout the area, and the aforementioned random conversations during the day can always lead to fruitful discussions. If you’re trying to grow your brand and your business, it’s these conversations and networking opportunities that can make long-term goals a reality.

Indoor Demonstrations

Over the last few years at Commercial UAV Expo, attendees have been able to see flying demonstrations from a handful of companies at an off-site location. This year, attendees will still be able to check out demonstrations, but will no longer be required to shuttle off-site. This year, the event will feature indoor flying demonstrations on the exhibit hall floor, with companies showing off their latest products and organizations showcasing how they are operating today. 

These demonstrations will take place across all three days, with the first coming during the opening night happy hour. Demonstrations will include examples of how credential testing is done, how UAS is being used in rescue missions, and some of the newest products on the market today. 

If you are in Las Vegas next week, please say hello if you see me walking around the exhibit hall floor. I’m excited to see old friends and meet new ones throughout the week at Caesar’s Forum. And if you haven’t registered yet, good news – it’s not too late. Register for your slot at this year’s event today!