Produced by UAS Magazine, the UAS Summit will provide a comprehensive overview of the unmanned aircraft systems industry while celebrating two decades of leadership in UAS development, deployment and technology.
Grand Forks, ND – (April 2026) – UAS Magazine has announced the dates for the 20th annual UAS Summit & Expo, taking place Oct. 13–14 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Marking its 20th year, the UAS Summit & Expo stands as one of the nation’s premier events dedicated to the advancement of unmanned aircraft systems.
For two decades, the UAS Summit has been at the forefront of UAS innovation, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and technology developers to shape the future of unmanned aircraft systems. Hosted in Grand Forks, a nationally recognized hub for UAS research, testing, and commercialization, the event continues to play a critical role in advancing the industry.
“We are proud to celebrate 20 years of the UAS Summit in Grand Forks,” said John Nelson, chief operating officer at BBI International and UAS Magazine. “Over the past two decades, this event has evolved alongside the industry—highlighting breakthrough technologies, fostering collaboration, and helping define the future of unmanned systems. As the sector continues to expand across defense, commercial, and public applications, we look forward to showcasing the innovations and ideas that will drive the next 20 years.”
The Summit is now accepting speaker presentation abstracts through June 12 in the following categories:
- Small UAV
- Government Drone Usage
- Big Data
- Military Drone Usage
- Large UAV
- Drone Research & Development
- Drone Usage in the Agriculture Industry
- Counter UAS
- Drone Delivery
- Commercial Drone Usage
- Remote ID
- Detect-and-Avoid Technology
- Urban Air Mobility
- Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM)
“Reaching the 20-year milestone is a testament to the strength and growth of the UAS industry,” said Danielle Piekarski, content & program manager for UAS Magazine and the UAS Summit & Expo. “From early-stage adoption to today’s advanced applications across multiple sectors, the Summit has consistently provided a platform for innovation and collaboration. We’re excited to welcome new and returning voices to share insights that will shape the future of UAS technology.”
To submit a speaker presentation abstract or learn more about the conference, visit www.TheUASsummit.com