DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Forum at XPONENTIAL 2026

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The 2026 DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Forum at XPONENTIAL is where the future of public safety aviation takes flight.

From May 11–14, 2026, public safety leaders, government professionals, and UAS practitioners from across Michigan and the nation will converge at the Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit for four days of advanced education, real-world operational insights, and powerful peer-to-peer networking.

This immersive forum is purpose-built for professionals serving across the public safety spectrum, including law enforcement, fire and rescue, emergency management, departments of transportation, search and rescue teams, critical infrastructure protection, security and protective services, and other allied public safety disciplines committed to advancing operational capabilities through UAS and emerging technologies.

Key Public Safety Focus Areas

• Regulations & Operational Standards
  Stay ahead of evolving federal, state, and local requirements.
• Drone as a First Responder (DFR)
  Proven models, policies, and real-world deployments.
• Airspace Awareness & Counter-UAS
  Protecting critical operations and sensitive locations.
• Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) & UTM Education
  Preparing public safety agencies for the next era of airspace integration.
• Interagency Collaboration
  Building DRONERESPONDERS state collaboration groups that scale impact and improve outcomes.

Attendees will gain unmatched access to expertise and innovation, hearing directly from nationally recognized subject matter experts in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), counter-UAS and airspace protection technologies, and emerging public safety aviation solutions. Participants will also enjoy full access to the expansive XPONENTIAL exhibit hall, featuring hundreds of leading manufacturers, service providers, and technology partners shaping the future of unmanned and autonomous systems.

NEW for 2026: 2 Day UAS Program Management Course

We’re proud to introduce a two day UAS Program Management Course designed for professionals responsible for building, managing, scaling, or sustaining a public safety drone program. This comprehensive course delivers practical, real world guidance drawn directly from leaders of some of the nation’s most respected public safety UAS programs.

Topics Include

• Managing a Public Safety UAS Program
• SOP Development, Mission Planning & Operational Applications
• Regulatory Framework, Governance & Compliance
• Coordinating Multi Agency and Regional UAS Operations
• Developing and Sustaining a UAS Training Program
• Safety Management Systems (SMS) & Incident Reporting
• UAS Maintenance, Fleet Management & Lifecycle Planning
• Strategic Leadership for Public Safety UAS Operations
• Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Impact on Public Safety
• Emergency Management Applications of Drones
• Planning and Coordinating UAS Operations for Mass Gathering Events

Train. Connect. Lead. Join us in Detroit and be part of the community defining the next generation of public safety aviation.

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Full Forum Sponsorship

Visit the Droneresponders page to engage as a sponsor.