Assuring Autonomy and Looking at Drones’ Future at XPONENTIAL 2021

Both pilots and companies are navigating a thin line between security and innovation. Host Grant Guillot talks with leaders, influencers, and experts across the drone industry to guide us through the complex web of technology and policy in the United States.

 

XPONENTIAL 2021, an unmanned systems industry event that brings together end-users, technologists, and policymakers, will hold both a virtual and in-person conference this year. As a preview, Drones in America host Grant Guillot welcomed four members of the AUVSI team. Brian Wynne, President and CEO, Michael Wilbur, Director of Engagement, Mike Greeson, Director of Business Development & Strategy, and Keely Griffith, Director of Industry Education gave listeners the inside scoop.

“Autonomy is increasingly important with tremendous potential. To realize it, we have to come together as a community to address technology, policy, and integration. We also need to encourage public acceptance, which is based on trust, requiring trustworthy systems.” – Keely Griffith

Wynne first introduced the theme as Assured Autonomy and what to expect at XPONENTIAL 2021. “We’ll have two events, one that’s hybrid in May and an in-person event in August in Atlanta. We’re doubling up this year.”

Digging deeper into the theme and content, Griffith said, “Autonomy is increasingly important with tremendous potential. To realize it, we have to come together as a community to address technology, policy, and integration. We also need to encourage public acceptance, which is based on trust, requiring trustworthy systems.”

Wilbur described what attendees can expect from the virtual event. “It’s more intuitive and engaging than last year and a real immersive experience. It also enables flexibility for attendees to enjoy content. We have some webinars on the site right now where speakers are teasing presentations.”

Greeson followed up on the platform, describing some new features. “We have the buyer’s guide, a self-service tool, where attendees can search for solutions. We also have the product runway. Executives can hear pitches from solution providers and learn what sets them apart.”

Attendee networking, conversation opportunities, and learning will be core to both events this year, as the industry continues to show its benefits and applications in meaningful ways.

See Previous Episodes of Drones In America Here

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

experiential learning
Flood the Zone: University of Virginia’s New Strategy to Scale Experiential Learning for Every Student
February 16, 2026

Experiential learning is having a bit of a reckoning moment in higher ed. For years, the default answer was “get an internship” or “do a co-op”—as if every student can pause life, relocate for a summer, and take on a high-stakes role that’s supposed to define their future. But students’ realities have changed: many…

Read More
free tools
The True Cost of Free Tools: When Free Platforms Own More of Your Network Than You Do
February 12, 2026

Nowadays, getting a project off the ground usually means moving fast. A quick map gets sketched. A file gets shared. A design gets reviewed in whatever tool is closest at hand. In the moment, it feels efficient — even smart. But in the telecommunications industry, as networks become more automated, location-aware, and powered by AI,…

Read More
telecom
Predictive Networks: How Baron Weather and GIS are Strengthening Telecom Operations
February 12, 2026

Severe weather is no longer an occasional disruption for telecom providers—it’s becoming part of the operating environment. During Hurricane Ida in 2021, the Federal Communications Commission reported that nearly 1,000 cell sites across Louisiana and Mississippi went offline. In 2024, Hurricane Milton left more than 12% of cell sites in impacted areas of Florida…

Read More
The DAISY Foundation: Impacting Nurse Careers Through Recognition
The DAISY Foundation: Impacting Nurse Careers Through Recognition
February 12, 2026

Recognition is often described as a “nice to have” in healthcare, but on this episode of Care Anywhere, it’s framed as something far more essential. Host Lea Sims sits down with Deb Zimmermann, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer of The DAISY Foundation, and Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, co-founder of the organization, to explore…

Read More