UAS TECH FORUM 2017

Wichita, KS



August 30 – 31, 2017

Wednesday August 30, 2017 Thursday August 31, 2017 Full Agenda Expand all sessions

Wednesday August 30, 2017

04:00 PM - 06:00 PM
On-site Registration Available
05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
With its grand opening held last April on the Wichita State University campus, GoCreate is a premier makerspace open to creators of all ages and experiences. You don’t have to be a student or alumni or engineer or egghead to make it here. You only need a membership, an idea and the will to make it happen. The 18,000-square-foot space offers sophisticated tools and equipment — beyond the reach of most DIYers — and expert training and a supportive community that can help make your prototypes, projects and dreams come true.

You’ve got a million dollar idea but you don’t have a million dollars to make it. Bring your idea here. We have the space, tools and knowledge to make it happen. GoCreate is a makerspace. Compare it to a gym, but for geniuses, inventors, tinkerers, artists and other handy types who like working with their heads and their hands. A membership—and a few hours of safety training—gets you in the door and allows you to access all the tools and expertise you need. It also gets you in a room with other people who can help you sharpen your idea or make connections that you hadn’t even considered before.

You don’t have to be a student, alumni or hipster, or even an expert, to be a member. GoCreate is for anyone of any skill level. If you have an idea and the will to make it happen, you can make it here.

Thursday August 31, 2017

07:00 AM - 02:00 PM
Registration Open
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport
On-site Registration Available
08:00 AM
Breakfast Begins
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport
08:15 AM - 09:45 AM
Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and serves Kansas’ 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Prior to becoming an elected official, Estes worked in consulting and management roles in several different industries including aerospace, energy and manufacturing. An engineer by trade, he successfully implemented a variety of systems that streamlined operations, increased efficiency and improved customer relations – all while cutting cost. Estes served as Sedgwick County (Kansas) Treasurer and then Kansas State Treasurer before being elected to Congress on April 11, 2017.  

Twenty-three of the world's leading research institutions and 100 leading industry, government partners comprise the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence, or ASSURE.

ASSURE possesses the expertise, infrastructure and outstanding track record of success that the FAA Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems demands.

Members include Mississippi State University, Drexel University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Kansas State University, Montana State University, New Mexico State University, North Carolina State University, Oregon State University, University of Alabama-Huntsville, University of Alaska-Fairbanks, University of California Davis, University of Kansas, University of North Dakota, The Ohio State University, Wichita State University, Auburn University - Affiliate Member, Concordia - Affiliate Member, Indiana State University - Affiliate Member, Louisiana Tech University - Affiliate Member, Sinclair Community College - Affiliate Member, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology - Affiliate Member, Tuskegee University - Affiliate Member, and University of Southampton - Affiliate Member.

Speaker(s):
  • Marty W Rogers, Director, ASSURE
  • Alvin A Brunner III, Aviation Safety Inspector, Unmanned Aircraft Systems & All Weather Ops, Federal Aviation Administration
  • Ron Estes, Congressman (U.S. Representative), Congress/House of Representatives
  • Merrill Atwater, Director of Aviation, Kansas Department of Transportation
  • 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    Pitch Session
    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport
    A session of Quick Pitches of the hottest available technologies today with applications in a variety of UAS markets. From raw tech, to startups, to the revenue generators, your next investment or big opportunity could be a Pitch away.

    Presentations:
    Moderator(s):
  • Trish Brasted, President & CEO, Wichita Technology Ventures
  • Speaker(s):
  • Orlando Saez, Co-Founder/CEO, Aker
  • Zack Keas, Sales Manager, Surface Mount Depot
  • Mark Ewing, Associate Professor and Director of the Flight Research Laboratory, University of Kansas
  • Kurt P. Rouser Lt Col (Ret), USAF, Assistant Professor, Oklahoma State University
  • Joshua Bergevin, President, DRONEBOIS
  • John Ferguson, CEO, Saxon Remote Systems
  • Animesh Chakravarthy, Assistant Professor, Wichita State University
  • Shawn Ehrstein, Director, WSU- NAIR
  • 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
    State Leadership
    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport
    Moderated by the Wichita Greater Partnership, this exciting session will host State leaders championing UAS Industry efforts. Leaders from states across the country will join us for this dynamic session. More information coming soon!
    Moderator(s):
  • Andrew Nave, Executive Vice President of Economic Development, Greater Wichita Partnership
  • Speaker(s):
  • Kelvin Droegemeier, Secretary of Science and Technology, State of Oklahoma
  • John Stevens, Chief Operations Officer, SOAR Oregon
  • Bob Brock, Director of UAS, Kansas Department of Transportation
  • 12:15 PM - 01:30 PM
    Well known for turning all the funders' heads on season 7 of "Shark Tank," the now famed team of xCraft received $1.5 million and buy-in from all five judges. Learn all about how xCraft leveraged Kickstarter and platforms like "Shark Tank" to raise funds, in additon to why they are one of the most talked about UAS technology developers.

    A little about xCraft...
    xCraft is a startup that develops Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for the emerging commercial and consumer drone industry. xCraft's mission is to create small, powerful flying machines that change the world. Their flagship product, the X PlusOne, is a transitional VTOL aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing as well as high-speed flight using its patent-pending hybrid multi-rotor flying-wing design. More information can be found at www.xcraft.io.

    Speaker(s):
  • Kelvin Droegemeier, Secretary of Science and Technology, State of Oklahoma
  • JD Claridge, CEO and co-founder, XCraft
  • 01:45 PM - 02:45 PM
    A broad variety of industries have quickly recognized the benefits of UAS technology and have not hesitated to incorporate UAS into their operations to enhance operations, increase safety, improve efficiency, and cut costs. Traditional methods of infrastructure and asset inspection can be expensive and dangerous. Maintaining law and order, executing search and rescue, and criminal surveillance and reconnaissance are improving law enforcement to work smarter and safer. Hear from these and other industries at this session.
    Moderator(s):
  • Wayne Bell, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Speaker(s):
  • Jason W. Klenklen, Supervisor, Transmission Maintenance, Westar Energy
  • Tim Schuh, Corporal, Grand Forks Police
  • Matt Dunlevy, President & CEO, SkySkopes
  • Kraettli Epperson, President & CEO, Vigilant Aerospace Systems, Inc
  • 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
    Integrating UAS into Precision Ag
    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport
    Engage with UAS platform and drone solutions providers to hear how their unmanned systems are impacting farm operations and enhancing the precision agriculture industry. Technology developers in this session will share their approach to enhancing customer value by creating UAS tools that build on, support, and disrupt traditional ag and precision ag practices.
    Moderator(s):
  • Kurt Carraway, UAS Executive Director, Kansas State University, Polytechnic Campus
  • Speaker(s):
  • Nikhil Vadhavkar, Co-founder, CEO, Raptor Maps
  • Orlando Saez, Co-Founder/CEO, Aker
  • Brian McCornack PhD, Associate Professor, Kansas State University
  • 04:10 PM - 05:00 PM
    Technology Developers: Creating commercial solutions
    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport
    UAS Technology is not just about building a better unmanned flying machine. The value to the user is often found in the data captured and information produced. From sensors to software to sense-and-avoid technology, there is a lot that goes into developing a UAS solution with real commercial viability. Hear from technology developers who are shaping the future of the UAS industry.

    Presentations:
    Moderator(s):
  • Tom Aldag, Director, Wichita State University, National Institute for Aviation Research
  • Speaker(s):
  • Roger Powers, President and CEO, Flint Hills Solutions
  • Herman "Woody" Loepp ESQ, Assistant Vice President/Senior Claims Attorney, Global Aerospace, Inc.
  • Trevor McKeeman, CEO, Hidden Genius
  • Zongbo Wang Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO, Aerotenna
  • 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
    Reception
    DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport
    Have a drink on us and enjoy hors d'oeuvres while you network.