Commercial UAV Expo unveils 2026 conference programme

The Commercial UAV Expo programme features more than 50 sessions organized under the theme 'Actionable Insights' – real-world strategies that drive efficiency, safety and success across a wide range of industries. Commercial UAV Expo is the world's leading commercial drone trade show and conference. The 2026 edition will take place at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, USA, from 1-3 September.

The conference programme is taking shape, and it started with the commercial drone community. Earlier this year, organizers asked operators, pilots, service providers, fleet managers and industry professionals a direct question: what do you actually need from a conference? That feedback shaped every decision made in building the 2026 programme. The result is a no-filler lineup of practitioners, operators and decision-makers sharing what they have learned and what attendees can put to work starting on day one.

"When we surveyed the commercial drone community about what they need from a conference, the message was consistent: practical content, grounded in what operators are actually doing. That shaped every content decision for this programme from the tracks we built, the session formats we chose, and the voices we sought out. From BVLOS implementation and workforce development to AI in the field and sector-specific operations, the goal was always the same: send people home with something they can use the following Monday, and beyond,” says Matt Collins, content manager at Commercial UAV News.

Practitioner-led sessions

Attendees will leave with practical knowledge they can apply immediately including a clear understanding of what Part 108 and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) mean for day-to-day operations; field-tested workflows from energy, AEC, transportation and agriculture programmes already delivering results; proven approaches to integrating aerial and ground-based data; strategies for hiring, training, and growing a drone business; a grounded view of where AI and autonomy are deployable today; and safety practices drawn from real incident analysis. Every session is led by practitioners who have done the work and is designed to send attendees home with answers, not just ideas.

"Our focus is truly what sets Commercial UAV Expo apart. The conference and exhibition is built entirely around the goal of serving the proven and real needs of the commercial UAS community. Every session, exhibitor and conversation on the show floor is centred on how UAVs are being used right now to improve safety, increase efficiency and deliver measurable results across industries. That focus is what brings the right people to Las Vegas every year, and it is what makes the connections and conversations here so valuable,” says Adrianne Madden, event director at Diversified.

Commercial UAV Expo 2026 also features an expanded exhibit hall featuring hundreds of solution providers showcasing the latest in airframes, software, sensors and services. The exhibit hall will also include the Pilot Hub, presented by Pilot Institute, offering hands-on sessions and expert talks accessible to all attendees.

The full conference programme, including complete session descriptions, speaker details and the day-by-day agenda, is available here.