JD Events Will Launch Drone World Expo in November in Silicon Valley

January 13, 2015

Unmanned aircraft systems are a fast-growing trend right now, which has led to JD Events launching Drone World Expo Nov. 17-18 at the San Jose McEnery (Ca.) Convention Center.

The show will serve commercial drone technologies and applications.

To put together a show for the industry, by the industry, a board of advisors has been chosen that includes people such as Gretchen West, vice president of business development and regulatory affairs, DroneDeploy; Jesse Kallman, global business development and regulatory affairs, Airware; Dave Charlesworth, alliance nanager, Chevron Energy Technology Company; and Tony Carmean, CMO and founding partner, Aerial MOB.

“I was proud to be invited to serve on the Advisory Board for the upcoming Drone World Expo after spending time working in commercial robotics and learning the nuances of this exciting culture. The organizers vision of focusing specifically on commercial applications, end user requirements, customer matchmaking and real world business cases is the perfect mix for a successful event," said Gretchen West, vice president business development and regulatory Affairs, DroneDeploy.

She added, "Hosting the event in Silicon Valley, which is the heart of technology development for commercial drones, is a great strategy and I look forward to helping shape the content of this flagship event with the rest of the all-star advisory board."

The use of drone technologies and applications now is playing an increasing role in numerous commercial industries including cinematography, agriculture, construction, utilities, oil and gas, mining, and real estate.

The advisory board will assist in shaping a two-day conference that will feature sessions and case studies addressing data collection and processing, sensors, piloting and safety management, FAA updates, certification standards, and commercial strategies and will offer informative sessions on the impact drones are having on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT).

The event also will have an expo for attendees that will offer the opportunity to see all of the latest products and solutions in an interactive and exciting show floor which will offer numerous examples of flying drones and the components, software/cloud services, training/certification, trade groups, universities/research centers, platforms and more needed for vertical industries to implement drone technology into their businesses.

"We find ourselves at a significant moment for the UAS community, and at a critical time for UAS policymaking.  This event could not come at a better time; 2015 will be a milestone year for setting federal policy that will guide the commercial drone industry for years to come,” said Lisa Ellman, a Counsel in the Washington, DC office of McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP and co-chair of the firm's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Practice Group

She added, “I believe in ‘polivation’ - bringing policymakers and innovators together to promote innovation.”

JD Events, run by Joel Davis, is a trade show incubator that has shepherded several events from their nascent stages to profitable enterprises.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact