Headed to Commercial UAV Expo 2026? Keynotes, DRONELIFE, and Friends and Partners to Visit in Las Vegas

Commercial UAV Expo returns September 1–3 as major regulatory changes reshape the U.S. drone market. Here’s what the DRONELIFE team will be watching, plus where to find our friends and partners on the show floor.

Commercial UAV Expo returns to Las Vegas September 1–3, bringing more than 3,700 commercial drone professionals and 240-plus exhibitors to Caesars Forum. This year, the timing may be as important as the technology on display.

The event arrives during a period of significant change for the U.S. commercial drone industry. The FAA is developing a new framework for routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. At the same time, the FCC Covered List, NDAA requirements, tariffs, and supply chain policies are changing the environment for manufacturers and operators.

For the DRONELIFE team, that makes this year’s Commercial UAV Expo an important opportunity to hear directly from regulators, operators, and manufacturers. DRONELIFE Editor Miriam McNabb will also take the stage to discuss gaps and opportunities in the U.S. commercial drone market.

Here are a few events we’re putting on our must-see list, along with some friends and partners to visit on the show floor.

Regulation Takes Center Stage

Regulation will be a major theme throughout the three-day event. The program includes discussions of Part 108 and Part 146, the FCC Covered List, NDAA compliance, and BVLOS operations.

Among the full conference program, these three sessions are particularly high on our list.

Preparing for the Next Era of Advanced Aviation Technologies
Wednesday, September 2, 3:00–3:30 p.m. PDT | Forum Theater

FAA Executive Director of the Office of Advanced Aviation Technologies Jessica Jones and Associate Administrator for Security and Hazardous Materials Safety Ben Supko will discuss how the National Airspace System is adapting to support drones and other advanced aviation technologies.

Two Skies, One Conversation: Comparing FAA and EASA Approaches to BVLOS Drone Operations
Thursday, September 3, 9:00–10:00 a.m. PDT | Room 401–404

The closing keynote brings U.S. and European regulators together to compare approaches to BVLOS operations. FAA Flight Standards Service Acting Deputy Director, Office of Safety Standards Robert Reckert will join EASA Certification Directorate Head of Innovative Air Mobility Daan Dousi. Avtrain CEO and JARUS ISB Vice-Chair Julie Garland will moderate.

And, if you can make it, we’d love to see you in the audience here:

Seizing the Moment: Finding Opportunity in the Commercial Drone Market’s Gaps
Thursday, September 3, 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. PDT | Forum Theater

DRONELIFE Editor Miriam McNabb will discuss current gaps and opportunities in the U.S. commercial drone market.

See the full Commercial UAV Expo 2026 schedule.

Find Our Friends and Partners on the Show Floor

Commercial UAV Expo is also a chance to see new technology, meet the teams behind it, and catch up with companies from across the industry.

If you’re headed to Las Vegas, make time to visit some of DRONELIFE’s friends and partners:

• AirData UAV, Booth 914. Drone fleet management and flight data solutions.
• Appelix, on the floor – US Manufactured spray drones. Appelix is looking for US battery manufacturers and partners!
• BRINC, Booth 845. Public safety drone hardware, software, and services.
• DeTect, Inc., Booth 1925. Radar and airspace awareness technologies.
• Drone Nerds, Booth 831. Commercial drone platforms, payloads, and enterprise solutions.
• Drone Rescue Systems, Booth 908 Automatic ultra-light parachute safety systems for commercial drones.
• DRONERESPONDERS, Training and networking for the public safety drone community.  See their Program Management Course.
• Federal Aviation Administration, Booth 2135.
• Flyability, Booth 1837. Indoor and confined-space inspection drones.
• HP, Booth 431. Additive manufacturing technology and solutions for drone manufacturing. HP’s Doug Nicklin will participate in the panel discussion, “The Future of Flight: How AI and Advanced Manufacturing are Transforming Drone Innovation,” on September 3 from 1:30-2:30 PM in Room 409-412.
• Inspired Flight Technologies, Booth 447. U.S.-manufactured commercial and government UAS.
• Korean Pavilion, Booth 409, featuring Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology (KIAST).
• Micantis, on the floor – battery quality testing and tracking software.  Talk to them about securing your battery supply chain!
• RIIS, Booth 855. Software and engineering solutions for drones and autonomous systems.
• SimActive, Booth 1024. Correlator3D photogrammetry software for drone and aerial imagery.
• Warren Community College / WarrenUAS, Booth 1807. UAS education and hands-on training.

See You in Las Vegas

Commercial UAV Expo has always offered a chance to see new aircraft, sensors, software, and services in one place. This year, attendees will also be able to hear directly from regulators as the rules and market conditions surrounding commercial drone operations continue to change.

For DRONELIFE, it is also an opportunity to reconnect with the people and companies helping move the industry forward. If you’ll be at the show, we hope you’ll join us for the sessions, stop by our friends’ booths, and say hello.

Commercial UAV Expo 2026 takes place September 1–3 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.