3,800 professionals and more than 250 exhibiting companies convened at Caesars Forum as Part 108, the FCC Covered List, and Section 232 tariffs reshape the U.S. commercial drone market
Las Vegas, NV, USA — September 10, 2026 — Commercial drone professionals from around the world gathered last week for the 12th edition of Commercial UAV Expo, held September 1-3, 2026, at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. The event drew 3,800 verified professionals from all 50 U.S. states and 65 countries, alongside more than 250 exhibiting companies, the largest turnout in the event’s 12-year history and a signal of how squarely the industry is looking to Commercial UAV Expo as it works through a period of rapid regulatory change.
That change arrived from multiple directions in the twelve months leading up to the event. The FAA’s Part 108 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking closed its reopened comment window earlier this year, the FCC’s December 2025 addition of foreign-produced UAS and critical components to its Covered List continues to reshape fleet procurement decisions, and new Section 232 tariffs on drone imports of up to 100 percent took effect on Thursday, September 3, the final day of the event.
“The turnout this year reflects how much the industry needs support and clarity as it navigates this uncertainty,” said Adrianne Madden, Event Director, 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.”
Regulators were on stage all three days. FAA officials led sessions on the agency’s work integrating drones and other advanced aviation technologies into the National Airspace System, and EASA leaders headlined a dedicated panel on the state of drone rules across Europe. On the final day, the two regulators came together for the keynote “Two Skies, One Conversation,” a candid comparison of transatlantic BVLOS approaches featuring FAA Acting Division Manager, Emerging Technologies Division, Flight Standards Robert Reckert and EASA Head of Department, Innovative Air Mobility Daan Dousi. Across the broader program, attorneys, operators, and program managers worked through the practical implications of Part 108, Part 146, NDAA compliance, and the FCC’s Covered List.
The conference program delivered over 140 speakers across more than 50 sessions under the theme Actionable Insights, built from a survey of the commercial drone community earlier in the year. The Opening Keynote, “The View from the Field,” brought findings from the 2026 State of the Industry Survey by Commercial UAV News and Pilot Institute to the main stage. Other sessions across the three days spanned BVLOS implementation, AI and autonomy in the field, workforce development, and vertical case studies from energy and utilities, construction, transportation, and enterprise drone programs.
On the show floor, more than 250 exhibiting companies showcased airframes, software, sensors, and services, with notable launches from AgEagle Aerial Systems’ EagleNXT Altum-PT Pro sensor and A2Z Drone Delivery’s Longtail Dual multi-mission BVLOS platform. The always-popular Pitch the Press competition named Harris Aerial, Skyline Nav AI, and UtopiaCompression Corporation as the 2026 winners.
Public safety programming reached new scale. In addition to the DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Summit, presented by AIRT, which delivered two days of educational content for first responders, the new DRONERESPONDERS Program Management Course 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, whose program flew its 100,000th sortie the day before he received the award.
The Pilot Hub, presented by Pilot Institute, delivered eight practitioner-led sessions accessible to every registered attendee, and the Indoor Airspace Demonstration Area returned with educational demonstrations.
The next edition of Commercial UAV Expo returns to Caesars Forum in Las Vegas September 7-9, 2027.
For ongoing coverage of sessions, product launches, and announcements from the 2026 event, visit Commercial UAV News at www.commercialuavnews.com.
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About Commercial UAV Expo
Commercial UAV Expo, presented by Commercial UAV News, is an international conference and expo exclusively focused on commercial UAS integration and operation. The 2027 edition of the event will take place September 7-9, 2027, at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit www.expouav.com.
Commercial UAV Expo is produced by Diversified’s technology portfolio, which also includes Commercial UAV News, Geo Week, Geo Week News, Geo Business (UK), and Digital Construction Week (UK).
For more information about exhibiting at Commercial UAV Expo, visit the exhibitor information page or contact Carmella Perrone, Sales Manager, at [email protected] or +1-207-842-5646. For information on attending, visit www.expouav.com or email [email protected].
