Commercial UAV Expo 2025 Keynotes: It’s All About the ROI

Industry leaders to share real-world drone successes and strategies at September event in Las Vegas

Organizers of Commercial UAV Expo have announced the keynote lineup for the 2025 conference, taking place September 2–4 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. The opening keynote, scheduled for Wednesday, September 3, will feature industry experts discussing the value of drone adoption, proven return on investment (ROI), and the continued need for human expertise.

Action Over Inaction

Jeremiah Karpowicz, Editorial Director of Commercial UAV Expo, says this year’s keynote is designed to offer clear value to attendees. “We designed this year’s keynote to highlight the tangible ways drone technology is making a real difference in 2025 while underscoring the practical implications of its adoption,” he said.

The session will address common challenges that drone programs face and will offer examples of how successful programs deliver measurable results. “Keynoters will detail how and why achieving success with adoption isn’t just about the technology itself but is also dependent on a strategic mindset for generating value and driving ROI,” Karpowicz said. “Those specifics will define clear action items for attendees with their own enterprise drone adoption and integration.”

Speakers and Topics

The keynote will feature four sessions that cover the financial, technical, and human aspects of drone adoption:

• What’s the Price of Standing Still? How Inaction on Drone Innovation Costs You
  Kaitlyn Albertoli of Buzz Solutions will discuss how a “wait-and-see” approach to drones can be costly. She will frame drone adoption as a strategic necessity, especially in the context of new policies that encourage innovation. Attendees will learn how acting early can positively reshape operations and careers.

• Unlocking ROI with UAVs: Proving the Value of Your Drone Program
  Albertoli will be joined by Thomas F. Butler of Dominion Energy. Together, they will show how to demonstrate the financial impact of drone programs through internal buy-in and clear communication. Their examples will be especially relevant for companies working to align with recent Executive Orders and national security guidelines.

• Capturing High-Definition Spatial Intelligibility in the Grand Canyon
  HDR and the FAA will share details from the first authorized drone operation in the Grand Canyon. The presentation will explain how drone video, lidar, and photogrammetry helped multiple teams—from engineering to inspection—gain actionable insights.

• Beyond Automation: Why Drone Pilot Expertise is Indispensable for Enterprise Program Success
  The final session will focus on the role of skilled drone pilots. It will argue that while automation is advancing, human expertise remains critical in high-stakes scenarios. This topic ties into federal initiatives aimed at growing a robust and competitive drone workforce.

A Strong Start to the Expo

Event Director Lee Corkhill said the keynote will serve as a powerful launch for the multi-day event. “This keynote will showcase how drones are already delivering results across critical sectors,” Corkhill said. “It’s a powerful kickoff to an event designed to equip attendees with the knowledge and motivation to scale their programs and realize similar results.”

The Commercial UAV Expo is known as one of the most important gatherings in the commercial drone space. The conference focuses on drone integration and operations across industries such as energy, construction, and public safety.

Early bird registration is open through July 18. More information about the keynote and other sessions is available at www.expouav.com/session/opening-keynote.

Read more:

• Commercial UAV Forum 2026: A New Opportunity for Europe’s Growing Drone Industry
• 2025 Commercial UAV Expo Call for Speakers!
• Drone Policy Update: From the Floor of Commercial UAV Expo