It’s not easy to build a robust, scalable drone operation. And it’s even harder to put that operation on a solid path to grow and thrive for years to come.

Fortunately, there are many drone industry professionals who are willing to share their ideas about turning drone-based ideas into viable commercial enterprises—and you can learn from them in-person at this year’s Commercial UAV Expo.

At the Expo, a dedicated session titled “From Drone Concept to Commercial Reality” will bring together industry experts who will draw from their years of experience to offer attendees tips and techniques for turning their business ideas into profitable and scalable drone operations. Earhart Alden & Associates Founder/CEO Amy Wiegand, Drone Education Services President Lamar Ellis, DFR Specialist Jon McBride from Flock Safety, and Nine Ten Drones President Paul Rossi will take part in a lively, wide-ranging panel discussion that is sure to bring actionable insights to drone professionals at all levels.

The session will be moderated by Dronelife Editor-in-Chief Miriam McNabb, who believes that the panel will help all drone professionals, but particularly those in the early stages of building their programs. “The biggest challenges professionals face around creating and scaling drone operations is just getting started,” she stated. “There is so much information out there, and the industry is changing so rapidly, that figuring out what comes first can be very overwhelming."

The panelists, she asserted, will help attendees learn how to overcome a wide range of business issues. “In this panel, we've got a group of experienced stakeholders who can speak to how they did it— where they found the resources, what's most important, and how to navigate regulations,” she said.

From Drone Concept to Commercial Reality is just one of many Commercial UAV Expo panels and workshops offering practical, real-world advice to drone industry professionals. This year’s conference program has been organized around specific “itineraries” that match distinct professional focuses within the commercial drone space and steer attendees toward the most relevant conference sessions.

In addition to targeted educational sessions, the event will, as always, feature the latest uncrewed systems and technologies, spirited keynote presentations, and countless opportunities to meet and learn from other industry pros and advocates. “That's really one of the biggest reasons drone professionals should attend Commercial UAV Expo—for the opportunity to learn from their peers,” McNabb said, “The drone community is great at sharing information and resources, and this is the place to do it.”