Adds CO Gov. Hickenlooper, U.S. Transportation General Counsel Bradbury, GSA Acquisition Innovation Advocate Hamm To The Roster

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, U.S. Department of Transportation General Counsel Steven Bradbury and GSA Federal Systems Integration and Management Center Director Chris Hamm will deliver keynote addresses at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2018 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver on April 30 to May 3. Newly added show features will also highlight trends and experts in the unmanned systems and robotics industry.

Speaking on Tuesday, May 1, at 9 a.m. MDT, Bradbury will provide a policy update on the future of unmanned systems. As the twenty-third General Counsel of the U.S. DOT, Mr. Bradbury has the authority to resolve all legal questions concerning the department’s policies and programs and its more than 55,000 employees and $79 billion budget. Mr. Bradbury oversees the activities of the department’s lawyers, safeguarding the integrity of the decision-making process and ensuring compliance with applicable laws.

On Wednesday, May 2, at 9 a.m. MDT, the U.S. General Services Administration will announce a new program for all things unmanned. GSA is the provider of acquisition solutions across the federal government. GSA's new program will conduct market research into unmanned and autonomous systems for air, land and sea, as well as outreach with companies that provide platforms and systems, and streamline the path to getting products on existing GSA schedules. In addition, this new program would create a new contract ecosystem for services and would likely allow for different procurement types (e.g., Time & Materials, Firm Fixed Price, Cost Reimbursement) and addresses non-commercial and commercial requirements.

Delivering an address on Thursday, May 3, at 9 a.m. MDT, Hickenlooper will discuss the important role Colorado is playing in the unmanned technology industry. Since taking office, he has championed innovation, collaboration and efficiency to ensure that Colorado and its business-friendly climate is one of the most desirable places to live, work and play.
 
New events and features have been added to the XPONENTIAL 2018 schedule, including:

• Drone Racing: AUVSI has partnered with the International Drone Racing Association (IDRA) to bring professional drone racing to life at XPONENTIAL 2018. It will be an exciting way to see highly skilled drone pilots demonstrate speed and agility as they navigate the designated course inside the convention center.
• Outdoor Demo Area:  Aeryon, DJI and Intel will provide interactive demonstrations, including the chance to fly a drone. Also, join DJI for a New Pilot Experience, where experts will give hands-on training flying the DJI Mavic Pro Platinum. Participation will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  
• Public Safety UAS Forum: Produced in partnership with the National Council on Public Safety UAS, officials and experts will discuss real-world insights on integrating UAS into public safety operations at this two-day forum. Topics will include UAS response and recovery operations following natural disasters, UAS fire-service operations, search-and-rescue missions and training considerations.  
• Startup Showdown: This event is for investors, unmanned systems entrepreneurs and technology innovators. XPONENTIAL will recognize early stage, disruptive companies that are creating, innovating or enhancing unmanned systems technologies and applications. Finalists will have six minutes to pitch their businesses to an expert panel of judges for future funding and go-to-market support. It will take place on Wednesday, May 2, from 3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. MDT in the Starting Point Theater in the XPONENTIAL Hall. The five finalists are Asylon, Copperstone Tech, Iris Automation, Jetoptera and Unifly’s Unmanned Traffic Management. Click here for details about the judges and finalists.
• Women and Diversity in Robotics: Open to all attendees, this session will provide an opportunity to meet in small, moderated, brief discussions on key areas of interest in the unmanned systems and robotics communities. It will be held on Tuesday, May 1, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDT.

“With Gov. Hickenlooper, Mr. Bradbury and Mr. Hamm joining a full lineup of new show events, XPONENTIAL 2018 is on pace to be one of the best shows in our history,” said Brian Wynne, AUVSI president and CEO. “The show will provide the best opportunity to demonstrate innovative technology, discuss emerging trends, plan for future workforce needs and see the important work of unmanned systems to increase efficiencies, create safer work environments and inform smarter business decisions.”
 
XPONENTIAL 2018 will also feature the new AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards, a dynamic hackathon event called “XBuild” and the “Growing the Industry” show floor destination, which will showcase AUVSI and RoboNation. There will also be more than 200 educational sessions and a dynamic show floor featuring more than 725 exhibitors.
 
(Source: AUVSI news release)

FMI: xponential.org