State and industry leaders announce Utah Drone Summit

Unmanned aerial systems, better known as drones, are expected to have an economic impact of $82 billion in the U.S. by 2025.

In an effort to capture that growth and promote innovation, the first annual Utah Drone Summit and National Drone Races will be held August 25-26 in Salt Lake City.

The two-day conference and trade show will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center and will feature new products, advances in security and safety, technical breakthroughs in design and navigation, and recruitment opportunities for drone pilots and engineers.

“Utah’s business-friendly environment and skilled workforce have set us apart as leaders in unmanned aerial systems,” said Val Hale, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED). “This disruptive industry diversifies our economy and offers innovative solutions to complex problems. Utahns will benefit from high-skill job opportunities as we test and develop new drone technologies.”

The summit will include a MultiGP Drone Racing League event featuring up to 100 of the nation’s best drone pilots. Ogden-Hinckley airport will also host live commercial and military drone demonstrations.

The Utah Drone Summit is supported by GOED, Box Elder and Tooele Counties, the City of Ogden and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as Utah-based industry and academic leaders committed to advancing drone technology. The summit is produced by WorldTEK Events. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, or to register for the event, visit the WorldTEK Events website.