MIAMI – AUVSI Miami, the Miami Satellite Chapter of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), has joined other partner organizations in hosting the inaugural UAS/Drones for Disaster Response Conference scheduled for April 19-20 at the Kovens Center located at Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay Campus.

 

The UAS/Drones for Disaster Response Conference was created by AIRT, Inc. (Airborne Incident Response Team), a Florida-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, to showcase the growing role of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – also known as “drones” – and their related technologies to help before, during, and after major emergencies and disasters.

 

“Last year’s hurricane season clearly demonstrated the power that unmanned aircraft systems can offer in disaster response and recovery,” said Brent Klavon president of the AUVSI Florida Peninsula Chapter – the parent organization of AUVSI Miami.  “We are excited to co-host this inaugural event which will bring together experts from government, industry, and academia to explore how drones will continue to evolve disaster management.”

 

UAS/Drones for Disaster Response will feature expert testimony from the users of unmanned aircraft systems and the imagery and data they provide during major emergencies and disasters.  Charles Werner, Chairman of the National Council for Public Safety UAS, and David Merrick, Director of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program at Florida State University, will provide keynote addresses.  Workshop panels will educate attendees on how UAS can be effectively used throughout the disaster preparedness, response, and recovery phases.

 

“AUVSI has established itself as the world’s leading non-profit organization devoted exclusively to promoting unmanned systems and robotics,” said Christopher Todd, Executive Director of AIRT. “We are thrilled to have AUVSI Miami and the Florida Peninsula Chapter join us to help launch UAS/Drones for Disaster Response.

 

The agreement for AUVSI Miami to join the UAS/Drones for Disaster ResponseConference host team was approved by the Board of the Directors of AUVSI’s Florida Peninsula Chapter.  Todd serves as the director of AUVSI Miami as well as AIRT. AIRT and UAS/Drones for Disaster Response have also agreed to help promote AUVSI’s XPONENTIAL, the largest unmanned systems conference in the world scheduled to be held at the Denver Convention Center from April 30 to May 3, 2018.

 

AUVSI members and friends interested in attending UAS/Drones for Disaster Response can receive $50 off the lowest priced conference ticket by using the special code “AUVSI” during registration checkout.  More for information about the UAS/Drones for Disaster Response Conference, or to register, please visit: http://uasdrones.org

 

 

About AIRT, Inc.

AIRT® (Airborne Incident Response Team) is a Florida-registered 501(c)3 non-profit corporation who trains and coordinates a cadre of volunteer drone pilots from around the world to respond when disaster strikes. The mission of AIRT, Inc. is to develop and maintain unmanned aviation capabilities that can assist local first responders during rapid expanding incidents and major disasters. For more information, please visit: http://airt.ngo

 

About AUVSI Miami

AUVSI Miami is the South Florida satellite chapter of the Florida Peninsula Chapter of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) – the world’s largest nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to advancing the unmanned systems and robotics community.  AUVSI represents more than 7,500 members from over60 countries involved in the fields of government organizations, industry, and academia.more information, visit http://AUVSImiami.org

 

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

 

AUVSI Florida Peninsula Chapter

Brent Klavon

Brent.klavon@asec.aero

Mobile: +1 571 484 1151