Commercial UAV Expo 2026 drew 3,800 verified professionals and more than 250 exhibiting companies to Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, setting an attendance record for the event. Held September 1-3, the 12th edition brought together drone and UAS professionals from all 50 U.S. states and 65 countries as the industry addressed regulatory and policy changes affecting commercial unmanned aviation.
The conference focused on issues including FAA Part 108, the FCC Covered List, Section 232 tariffs, BVLOS operations, autonomy and compliance requirements.
Commercial UAV Expo 2026 Draws Record Attendance
Organizers reported the largest turnout in the event’s 12-year history.
Commercial UAV Expo 2026 included:
- 3,800 verified professionals
- Attendees from all 50 U.S. states
- Attendees from 65 countries
- More than 250 exhibiting companies
- More than 140 conference speakers
- More than 50 educational sessions
“The turnout this year reflects how much the industry needs support and clarity as it navigates this uncertainty,” said Adrianne Madden, Event Director of Commercial UAV Expo.
“Operators, program managers, and manufacturers are working through decisions that will shape the next several years of their business, and they came because they know Commercial UAV Expo will bring together the right people to help them work through it.”
Drone Regulations Take Center Stage
Regulatory developments were a major focus throughout the three-day event.
According to organizers, changes affecting the U.S. commercial drone industry during the previous 12 months included:
- The FAA’s Part 108 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- The FCC’s December 2025 addition of foreign-produced UAS and critical components to its Covered List
- New Section 232 tariffs on drone imports of up to 100%
The Section 232 tariffs took effect September 3, the final day of Commercial UAV Expo 2026.
Conference sessions also addressed Part 146, NDAA compliance and the practical implications of the FCC Covered List.
FAA and EASA Discuss BVLOS Regulation
Regulators participated in conference programming throughout the event.
FAA officials led sessions covering the agency’s work to integrate drones and other advanced aviation technologies into the National Airspace System.
European Union Aviation Safety Agency representatives also participated in a dedicated discussion covering drone regulations in Europe.
On the final day, representatives from the FAA and EASA participated in the keynote, “Two Skies, One Conversation.”
The discussion compared U.S. and European approaches to Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations and featured:
- Robert Reckert, FAA Acting Division Manager, Emerging Technologies Division, Flight Standards
- Daan Dousi, EASA Head of Department, Innovative Air Mobility
More Than 50 Sessions Address Commercial UAS Operations
The conference program featured more than 140 speakers across over 50 sessions under the theme “Actionable Insights.”
The program was developed using information gathered through a survey of the commercial drone community earlier in the year.
The opening keynote, “The View from the Field,” presented findings from the 2026 State of the Industry Survey conducted by Commercial UAV News and Pilot Institute.
Other conference topics included:
- BVLOS implementation
- Artificial intelligence
- Autonomous drone operations
- Workforce development
- Energy and utility applications
- Construction
- Transportation
- Enterprise drone programs
More Than 250 Companies Exhibit Drone Technologies
The Commercial UAV Expo show floor included more than 250 companies displaying aircraft, sensors, software and services.
Product launches highlighted by event organizers included AgEagle Aerial Systems’ EagleNXT Altum-PT Pro sensor and A2Z Drone Delivery’s Longtail Dual multi-mission BVLOS platform.
The Pitch the Press competition also returned, with three companies named 2026 winners:
- Harris Aerial
- Skyline Nav AI
- UtopiaCompression Corporation
Public Safety Drone Programming Expands
Public safety programming included the DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit, presented by AIRT.
The summit provided two days of educational programming for first responders.
A new DRONERESPONDERS Program Management Course also debuted during the event and sold out its limited seating.
The Eric Talley Public Safety UAS Excellence Award was presented to Greg Whiting, technology integration cell director and sUAS program manager for the Texas Military Department.
According to organizers, Whiting’s program completed its 100,000th sortie one day before he received the award.
Pilot Hub and Indoor Demonstrations Return
The Pilot Hub, presented by Pilot Institute, provided eight practitioner-led sessions available to all registered attendees.
The Indoor Airspace Demonstration Area also returned with educational demonstrations during the event.
Commercial UAV Expo 2026 concluded with record attendance as commercial drone professionals, regulators and technology companies addressed BVLOS operations, regulatory developments, autonomous systems and other changes affecting the UAS industry.
The next Commercial UAV Expo is scheduled for September 7-9, 2027, at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.
Source: Press release from Commercial UAV Expo
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