Diversified Communications Acquires Drone World Expo, Announces Combined UAS Event
October 26, 2017
In an effort to expand its UAV technology portfolio and create the largest commercial drone event in North America, Diversified Communications has acquired Drone World Expo from JDEvents.
The announcement was made yesterday at Commercial UAV Expo Americas, taking place Oct. 24-26 at the Westgate Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
As the third acquisition Diversified has made in 2017 so far, including two events in Australia – Naturally Good and Luxperience, the acquisition of Drone World Expo builds upon the company’s recent launches in the expanding UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) market, according to Theodore Wirth, president and CEO of Diversified Communications.
“We continue to invest in the rapidly growing UAS market,” Wirth said. “Diversified launched Commercial UAV Expo in 2015 and since developed an online platform and launched Commercial UAV Expo Europe in Brussels to provide the necessary domestic and international reach and frequency of news and information.”
He added, “This acquisition is an exciting next step to further facilitate efficient and effective business opportunities for this industry.”
By uniting Commercial UAV Expo with Drone World Expo in 2018 to a commercial drone industry mega event, Diversified intends to further strengthen its position in this highly competitive marketplace via the creation of a one-stop-shop for professionals, vendors and buyers to conduct all their drone business in North America, according to Lisa Murray, director of Commercial UAV Expo.
“Since 2015, the market has exploded with drone events, making for a congested and complicated landscape for customers to choose from,” Murray explained.
She continued, “The acquisition of Drone World Expo by Diversified Communications takes two leading commercial UAS events and unites them to form the largest commercial drone event in the market. By coming together, we’ll be able to deliver more qualified buyers to vendors than if had we continued separately, making it easier for vendors and buyers to meet in one place annually for all of their drone business. And, with our European event and digital platform, we are making it easier for drone companies to reach markets domestic and international with a frequency and reach no one else in the market can offer.”
Together, Commercial UAV Expo and Drone World Expo will focus on delivering cutting-edge conference content and premium solutions designed to meet the needs of large commercial end user/asset owners in top vertical markets, including civil infrastructure, energy, agriculture, construction and emergency response.
Besides Diversified’s experience delivering technology conferences in the geospatial sector, Drone World Expo’s partnership with the Commercial Drone Alliance has also given the company a strong reach into the commercial drone industry along with the support of industry leaders.
“On behalf of the Commercial Drone Alliance and along with my fellow co-executive director, Lisa Ellman, we are thrilled to support this merged event and will continue our focus of bringing the most relevant, timely and critical content to the Commercial UAV Expo with the most prominent decision-makers in our industry,” said Gretchen West, senior advisor at Hogan Lovells, co-executive director of the Commercial Drone Alliance and chair of Drone World Expo’s advisory board.
She continued, “The decision to consolidate events to become the largest and most influential commercial drone event is an important step and allows the community to focus resources on this all-inclusive conference and tradeshow to achieve greater value. We look forward to building off the huge success of the Drone World Expo through our partnership with the Commercial UAV Expo, bringing the same caliber of expert speakers and creating the most comprehensive drone event to date.”
According to Joel Davis, CEO of JD Events, merging the two shows to create one large event is just what this industry needs at this time.
“The commercial drone industry is poised for explosive growth,” Davis said. “Commercial UAV Expo, organized by Diversified Communications, has emerged as the premier event serving this dynamic marketplace.”
He added, “I am excited for Drone World Expo to unite with Commercial UAV Expo to form the largest and most important annual event in North America for commercial end users of drone technology.”
The 2018 event is set for Oct. 1-3 at the Westgate Resort & Casino and will be organized by Diversified Communications under Murray’s leadership.
Partner Voices
HERE, hosting responsible meetings and caring for our communities are top priorities. Through its 'Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet' philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make an impact in the lives of employees, guests, and the communities in which it operates.
Water Stewardship Efforts
MGM Resorts understands the importance of using water efficiently, especially in the desert destination of Las Vegas. Conserving water has always been part of the mission, but MGM Resorts has expanded its ambition into water stewardship.
In 2022, MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle signed the CEO Water Mandate—a UN Global Compact initiative mobilizing business leaders to advance water stewardship. MGM Resorts International was the first gaming company to take this important step.
MGM Resorts replaced 200,000 square feet of real grass with drought-tolerant landscaping in Las Vegas.
MGM Resorts pledges to reduce water withdrawal intensity by 33% by 2025 and by 35% by 2030.
From 2007-2021, use of more than 5.6 billion gallons of water was avoided because of conservation efforts.
Caring for One Another
MGM Resorts’ Food Donations Program collects and preserves unserved food from conventions held at MGM Resorts properties, then safely donates to food insecure people in the community. Since the program’s launch in 2016, more than 3.7 million meals toward a 2025 goal of 5 million meals have been donated into the community. Donations include:
Unserved perishable prepared foods from events
Perishable unprepared food from MGM Resorts’ kitchens
Nonperishable food items from minibars and warehouses
The collaboration with Southern Nevada’s primary food bank, Three Square, has developed the infrastructure needed to safely collect, transport, and store food from MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas, reducing food waste while serving the community.
Fostering Diversity and Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts understands its responsibility to contribute to the social and economic progress of the communities in which it operates. HERE, we embrace humanity.
Add new comment