AIRT and AUVSI continue their partnership with two new educational concepts – Conclave and Forum – for first responders using Drones For Good.
ORLANDO – March 7, 2022 – DRONERESPONDERS, the world’s leading non-profit program dedicated exclusively to the support of public safety drone programs, will return to AUVSI’s XPONENTIAL 2022 to provide educational content and programming for America’s first responders using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
XPONENTIAL, widely considered the largest trade show of drones and uncrewed vehicle systems, will bring together a community of end users, technologists, and policy makers from April 25-28 at the Orange County Convention Center to collectively write the next chapter of autonomous innovation.
AUVSI has again partnered with AIRT, the leading 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting the use of drones for public safety and disaster response, to produce this year’s public safety program. This year’s DRONERESPONDERS branded events at XPONENTIAL will feature two new concepts called “Conclave” and “Forum.”
The DRONERESPONDERS Florida Public Safety Conclave will consist of a full day of educational programming on Monday, April 25 dedicated exclusively to Florida public safety professionals who are exploring or operating drones for life-safety missions. Florida Conclave attendees will also receive special access to the DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Section hosted by BRINC Drones at “KO,” the official XPONENTIAL 2022 kick-off party on Monday evening at Topgolf Orlando. On Tuesday, April 26, Conclave registrants will have access to the XPONENTIAL keynote sessions, exhibit hall floor, and outdoor demonstrations.
The DRONERESPONDERS Forum at XPONENTIAL will provide three days of educational programming surrounding drones and uncrewed vehicle systems. Forum attendees will receive full access to all DRONERESPONDERS public safety related programming starting at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26 through 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. This includes access to all XPONENTIAL keynote sessions, the exhibit hall floor, outdoor demonstrations, and other AUVSI designated events.
“Conclave at XPONENTIAL represents a truly unique opportunity for Florida public safety professionals who are operating drones and robotic systems to learn directly from their peers,” says Sgt. Robert Dooley, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Program Coordinator for the Florida Highway Patrol, who also serves as a lead member of the DRONERESPONDERS Florida Public Safety Coordination Group (FLOGRU). “Not only will attendees receive valuable knowledge directly from credentialed first responders operating drones in Florida, but they will also experience the full magnitude of the uncrewed vehicle systems industry and develop relationships that benefit their drone programs moving forward.”
Dooley, who previously attended the DRONERESPONDERS program at XPONENTIAL, believes this could be a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for many Florida-based public safety and emergency services professionals who lack the ability or funding to attend educational conferences outside the state.
Rich Gatanis, a firefighter and HAZMAT Technician who also serves as the UAS Program Coordinator for the Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue District in Florida, agrees. “The DRONERESPONDERS Conclave and Forum programs are designed to provide an opportunity for the public safety drone community to engage and discuss important issues with one another in a unique setting where the entire unmanned systems industry serves as the backdrop,” says Gatanis, who also is a lead member of FLOGRU. “The knowledge shared at these types of events will help law enforcement and fire rescue departments build stronger, more professional public safety UAS programs.”
For additional information about, or to register for, the DRONERESPONDERS Conclave and Forum, please visit conclave.droneresponders.org and forum.droneresponders.org. Florida public safety professionals eligible for the Conclave registration rate are welcome to email flogru@droneresponders.org to receive the promo code for special pricing.
AUVSI members are always entitled to receive discounted preferred pricing on XPONENTIAL events, and in celebration of their 50th anniversary AUVSI has a very special offer for public safety agencies. AUVSI is offering a complimentary, one-year organizational membership to 50 public safety agencies.
As an AUVSI organizational member, every employee of the department’s UAS or robotics team, leadership, and other personnel can automatically become AUVSI members for one year at no cost. Each member will receive full AUVSI benefits including special pricing on events like XPONENTIAL, as well as complimentary membership to the regional chapter of their choice to engage in activities at the state and local level. For more information about, or to take advantage of this exciting offer, visit 50.droneresponders.org
About AIRT
AIRT, Inc (Airborne International Response Team) is a Miami, Florida-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting the use of uncrewed and autonomous systems for public safety and disaster response. AIRT offers a wide range of educational programming, training events, and mission-critical capabilities that help people prepare for, respond to, and recover from complex emergencies and major disasters. AIRT is the official home of DRONERESPONDERS®, the world’s leading non-profit program dedicated exclusively to the support of public safety drone programs. For more information, visit http://airt.ngo and http://droneresponders.org
About AUVSI
The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of uncrewed systems and robotics — represents corporations and professionals from more than 60 countries involved in industry, government and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. For more information, visit AUVSI.org.