THE EVENT
The growing unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or drone industry is creating a vast array of new workforce opportunities. In addition to entrepreneurial launches of new small UAS companies, well-established corporations and governmental entities in nearly every sector are considering opportunities to incorporate drones into their operations.
A national conference entitled Preparing the Drone Workforce will bring together representatives of higher education institutions and UAS industry to share emerging trends and best practices to create effective UAS courses/programs of study, and to discuss topics relevant to the goal of creating and sustaining a drone workforce pipeline. Conference participants will learn about key UAS educational offerings and industry initiatives under development. Drone industry partners and UAS end-users will spotlight the growing demand for various applications, from package delivery to search and rescue, precision agriculture, real estate, transportation, infrastructure inspection, and many others.
RELEVANCE TO NATIONAL INITIATIVES
The United States Congress has authorized creation of higher education UAS “centers of excellence” – involving research and development initiatives at universities, and education and workforce training initiatives at community and technical colleges. Preparing the Drone Workforce will include presentations from federal government leaders working with academic institutions on these new centers of excellence initiatives.
Conference sessions and networking during the Preparing the Drone Workforce conference have the potential to lead to the establishment of an informal network through which educators and industry can collaborate throughout the United States in the years ahead.
THE VENUE
Preparing the Drone Workforce will take place at the Williamsburg Lodge, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel located in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. The Lodge is family-friendly resort hotel, with many recreational and educational activities. With an on-site spa, golf courses and other amenities, the property is within walking distance from museums, historic properties, the College of William and Mary (est. 1693), 18th century themed taverns, and shopping at the Colonial Williamsburg Merchant’s Square.
The rooming rate secured for Preparing the Drone Workforce registrants is $112 per night (per diem), which includes access to discounted rates for use of Colonial Williamsburg facilities, amenities and services that may be secured at the hotel concierge desk. The Williamsburg Lodge has extended the low hotel rooming rate for conference registrants to include three nights before, and three nights after the conference. This creates an opportunity for conference registrants who may want to spend additional time and discover the area, including the historic Colonial triangle – Jamestown-Williamsburg-Yorktown.
Note: Registration for the conference is a prerequisite in order to obtain the $112 per person/per night (per diem) hotel rooming rate, and access to discounted Colonial Williamsburg amenities.
DRAFT AGENDA-IN-BRIEF
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Time |
Activity |
|
5:00pm-7:00pm |
Networking reception – Open bar & hors d'oeuvres Underwood Hospitality Suite
|
|
Monday, March 16, 2020 Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Time |
Activity |
|
Time |
Activity |
8:30am |
BREAKFAST – Networking |
|
8:30am |
BREAKFAST – Networking |
9:00am |
INTRODUCTIONS – Speakers from key sectors |
|
9:00am |
PANEL – Drones in K-12 schools |
9:30am |
PANEL – The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) education and training pipeline |
|
9:45am |
SPEAKER – Dr. Glenn DuBois, Chancellor, Virginia Community College System |
10:30am |
BREAK – Networking opportunity |
|
10:00am |
BREAK – Networking opportunity |
10:45am |
PANEL – Community & technical college programs |
|
10:15am |
PANEL – UAS research iniatives |
12:00pm |
LUNCH – FAA presentation on UAS programs |
|
11:15am |
PANEL – Industry perspectives on what’s ahead |
1:00pm |
PANEL – Update on university UAS Test Sites |
|
12:15pm |
LUNCH – Civil Air Patrol demonstration |
1:45pm |
PANEL – Training for specific UAS applications |
|
1:00pm |
Outdoor drone demonstration and display |
3:00pm |
SPEAKER – Cliff Fleet, President & CEO, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation |
|
|
|
3:30pm |
PANEL – UAS workforce demand |
|
||
4:30pm |
Transition to evening reception |
|
||
5:00pm-7:00pm |
Networking reception – Open bar & hors d'oeuvres Underwood Hospitality Suite |
|
Registration includes –
PLEASE NOTE: HOTEL RESERVATION MUST BE MADE SEPARATELY. BOOKING INFORMATION WILL BE INCLUDED IN YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL.
Mark your calendar for Preparing the Drone Workforce! Updates are forthcoming.
Thank you very much!
Best,
Tom
Thomas C. Downs
Downs Government Affairs
1629 K Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20006
t 202.403.2302 | m 703.283.5914
tcdowns@downsgovaffairs.com