This virtual conference brings together an interesting range of sessions and speakers to spur discussion and debate on the future of commercial uncrewed aviation in New Zealand (with relevance internationally).
The virtual conference will be hosted using the professional event management software, Whova.
This is not your typical virtual conference as the platform facilitates networking activities, exhibitor stalls, live polling, and much more. This also keeps costs low for participants by avoiding travel.
The conference will begin with keynote addresses from Dr Reece Clothier (President of the Australian Association of Unmanned Systems), David Harrison (Deputy Chief Executive Aviation Safety at the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand), and Jim Kira (Head of Operations at Alauda).
Following the keynotes, there will be plenary panel discussions on the topics of “The Biggest Challenges Facing the Uncrewed Aviation Sector” and “Building a Thriving Uncrewed Aviation Sector in New Zealand”. Panellists for these discussions include Catherine MacGowan (Asia Pacific Regional Director for Wisk Aero), Wing Commander Richard ‘Dicko’ Beaton (Operating Airworthiness Authority for the New Zealand Defence Force), and Shaun Johnson (CEO of Merlin NZ).
To facilitate networking between participants, there will be a speed networking session at lunchtime. Participants get put into groups of four to network for ten minutes, and then once the time is up they get put in a group of four with new participants. If participants stay for the full hour, that means they will meet 18 other people on a live video call.
The afternoon breakout sessions provide a number of options for attendees, including a political panel and debate (with four MPs attending), sector-specific discussion panels (e.g., forestry, agriculture, defence, photography/cinematography), and discussions on topical issues like advanced air mobility.
We are also pleased to have a variety of sponsors and exhibitors at the conference, including our Gold Sponsors: AVCRM, FlyFreely, Ferntech, Massey University School of Aviation, and SPS Automation.
Attendees from around the world are welcome to join in and take part in this exciting conference.
