One of the best things about the drone industry is that innovation is happening everywhere, all at once. Professionals around the world are pushing the technology forward and solving problems most others haven't even encountered yet, but because the industry is still young, it can be hard to find and connect with the right people.

To help close that gap, Commercial UAV Expo will once again host Roundtable sessions at the 2026 event. For the second year running, attendees are invited to sit down with one another and with subject matter experts to talk candidly about everything from regulations to breaking into the industry. Whether you're just starting your drone career or you're a seasoned operator, these sessions are built for anyone who wants to talk through the real problems people are facing, what's actually worked, and how to move a business or team forward.

This year's Roundtables dig into today's regulatory landscape, safety operations, education and hiring, agriculture, and the realities of starting a drone business. All sessions are open to every attendee.

Breaking Down Today's Regulatory Landscape

Regulation is always top of mind for drone professionals, and the past year has brought real change, from the long-awaited movement on BVLOS rules to the FCC's decision banning the purchase of new drones and components from foreign countries. There isn't an attendee this conversation won't touch.

This roundtable breaks down where the industry actually stands: what licenses and certifications different jobs require, and how to future-proof your team or business as product restrictions reshape the landscape. It's also a rare chance to sit across from professionals who work directly with policymakers, and to get straight answers on legal language that rarely reads as clearly as it should.

Best Practices for UAS Safety Management Systems

Safety is a constant concern in this industry, and for good reason. Drones often reduce risk by removing people from dangerous situations, but without a solid Safety Management System behind them, that advantage disappears fast. With drone traffic expected to climb sharply in the near future, having a strong SMS in place isn't optional anymore.

This session covers preflight risk assessments, incident and near-miss reporting, and how to train teams to keep their systems current with FAA regulations.

University & Education

This roundtable brings together academics from across the industry to talk curriculum, qualifications, and what it actually takes to prepare students for a commercial drone career. It's led by university professors, but it's just as valuable for program managers who want to weigh in on the skills and experience they look for in new graduates. Expect conversation on curriculum development and instructor qualifications, preparing students for the workforce, liability and insurance, and student recruitment and assessment.

Workforce Development in the Commercial UAV Industry: Education, Hiring, and Professional Mentorship

The industry is growing fast, and it needs a workforce that can grow with it. This session brings together the people responsible for training and recruiting the next generation of drone professionals, offering a direct line to their advice on hiring practices and candidate qualifications, education and training pathways, job search strategy, and the value of mentorship outside your own organization.

Like the other Roundtables, this one's built for anyone in the industry, at any career stage. Even if you're happy where you are, this is a chance to stay sharp and stay current.

Drones on the Farm

Agricultural spraying and data collection have become standard practice on many farms, but real challenges remain. What does compliant, responsible UAS operation actually look like in a working field? How do you turn raw aerial data into decisions that move the needle? And where is AI taking agricultural drone work next? This session is built for farmers, drone operators, or anyone working at the intersection of the two.

Tips for Getting Your Drone Business off the Ground

This is a conversation about the unglamorous mechanics of turning a passion for flying into a functioning business: choosing aircraft and software worth the investment, pricing your work so it reflects what you're worth, and knowing when to move from a 1099 to an LLC. Attendees will sit down with operators who've already made these calls, digging into the administrative work nobody warns you about, the contingency plans you need when your hardware suddenly isn't compliant, the maze of waivers and approvals, and the harder-than-it-looks work of delivering results consistently enough that clients come back.

Because no drone business grows in isolation, the conversation will also turn outward, community presence, social media, and the relationship-building that separates a one-off gig from a standing contract. Whether you're still pre-launch or already logging paid flight hours, this session offers something rarer than inspiration: a working blueprint.